Description
Easy 5-ingredient soft and chewy sugar cookies topped with a simple creamy frosting. Perfect for quick baking and customizable for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (350g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225g)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (300g)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar (240g)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (55g)
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (30-45ml)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Optional: Chill the dough for 30 minutes for thicker, softer cookies.
- Scoop dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges start to turn golden but centers remain soft.
- Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and let cool completely before frosting, about 15-20 minutes.
- To make frosting, beat softened butter with powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Spread frosting on each cooled cookie with a spatula or butter knife. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Use softened but not melted butter for best texture. Do not overbake; cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when removed. Chill dough for thicker cookies if time allows. Frost cookies only when completely cool to prevent melting. Customize frosting with sprinkles, food coloring, or lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 2
Keywords: soft sugar cookies, frosted sugar cookies, easy cookie recipe, 5 ingredient cookies, chewy sugar cookies, homemade frosting, quick cookies