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Sugar Cookie Frosting

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READY IN 15 mins

Sugar Cookie Frosting

Read Reviews (979)

"Add food coloring to decorate your favorite sugar cookies." — Kathy Brandt

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Original recipe makes 3 cups Change Servings

4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup shortening
5 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
food coloring

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Directions

In a large bowl, cream together the confectioners' sugar and shortening until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Color with food coloring if desired.

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PREP 15 mins
READY IN 15 mins

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This is definitely up there in terms of frosting for cookies-- frankly, its the only stuff I use--I've made this 3 or 4 times now. I make this with the recipe on this site: "The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies" and it is just fantastic! If you aren't a big fan of sweet stuff, however, I would suggest halving this recipe-- this really makes way more than necessary for that recipe. If you are a big fan of sweet stuff, however-- glop it on! I seriously suggest putting in the shortening, then slowly adding the powdered sugar about half a cup at a time. Once it starts clumping up, add the milk/ etc, then add more sugar if you want to make it a bit thicker. I've found that if it gets too clumpy, it won't dissolve the clumps, and you have to smooth it out with a spatula, which takes forever.

—Chloe

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Feb 11, 2003

Some of the other reviews said this recipe dries hard. Mine didn't. One batch of ruined bake sale cookies later I have to start with a new recipe. If you are going to go ahead and use this recipe I would suggest less shortening and also substituting butter.

—LESLIEMARIEHAWKINS

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1,319 Ratings

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Jun 23, 2003

Sugar cookie icing is really a matter of personal taste, so I can understand this not agreeing with everyone. However, I though this was the BEST SUGAR COOKIE ICING I'VE EVER MADE! I've tried the confectionary sugar recipes a dozen different ways and they always come out sickly sweet. Just keep it a scant measure of the shortening, and whip it up real well and this icing is fantastic. Not only that, but it held up well enough that I could pack these up and pass them out. Everyone who tried my cookies loved this icing.

—Caliope

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Sep 17, 2009

Delicious!! I used this icing on the Easy Sugar Cookies and it was a huge hit with everyone. I used unsalted butter instead of shortening though, it gives a much better flavor to the icing. The one time I used shortening the icing dried fairly quickly and I was able to put all the cookies in layers (with tinfoil in between) within 15 minutes of icing them. If you want to add sprinkles or anything to the top of the icing be sure to do that right away or they won't stick! If you use butter, the cookies will stick together if you stack them but there's no trans fats!

—nenebucket

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Jan 12, 2004

Halved the recipe and used butter instead of shortening. Great and easy. My daughter had a blast adding food coloring and decoring cookies. Using this for this season's batch of holiday cookies. Thanks Kathy.

—DREGINEK

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Jul 20, 2006

GREAT frosting for sugar cookies or christmas cookies. Sets well so you can put the cookies in a tin or bag! Loved it! A+

—THARRETT

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Dec 19, 2003

This was a good cookie frosting, but not exactly what I was looking for. My husband said it was too sweet, but the kids and I loved the sweetness. However, I was on the hunt for more of a glaze/icing that would be stackable. The frosting was thick and was more like a frosting for a cake. It was yummy though and easy to handle.

—PAMMOM3

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Dec 18, 2003

I liked this recipe because I often use royal icing. The cream of tartar gives it that twinge and its not very good with a sugar cookie. So this was a better choice. I also added some Wilton's white white. It makes it perfectly white. If you add a little glycerine it comes out glossy ;) thanks!

—SHANNONSPIVEY

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Nutrition

Calories
59 kcal
3%

Carbohydrates
10 g
3%

Cholesterol
< 1 mg
< 1%

Fat
2.2 g
3%

Fiber
0 g
0%

Protein
0.1 g
< 1%

Sodium
< 1 mg
< 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Sugar Cookie Frosting

Serving Size: 1/48 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 48
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 59
Calories from Fat: 20

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2.2g 3 %
Saturated Fat 0.6g 3 %
Cholesterol < 1mg < 1 %
Sodium < 1mg < 1 %
Potassium 3mg < 1 %
Total Carbohydrates 10g 3 %
Dietary Fiber 0g 0 %
Protein 0.1g < 1 %
Sugars 9.9g
Vitamin A < 1 %
Vitamin C < 1 %
Calcium < 1 %
Iron < 1 %
** Thiamin < 1 %
Niacin < 1 %
Vitamin B6 < 1 %
Magnesium < 1 %
Folate < 1 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.