These Simple Sugar Cookies are so easy – and SO amazing! Get the tips and tricks to make Rolled Sugar Cookies with the best Cookie Frosting perfect every time, without the effort!
Have you always wanted to make bakery quality rolled sugar cookies but not sure how or feel they’re too much effort? You’ll love these simple sugar cookies.
These rolled sugar cookies are bakery quality in both looks and taste! They’re so easy to make, too. They hold their shape every time and are topped with the best cookie frosting that makes them irresistible.
In just a few minutes hands on time you’ll have dozens of beautiful and delicious sugar cookies that are great for gifting and perfect for parties.
To see just how easy these simple sugar cookies are, watch the video in this post and follow the step by step photos. At the end you’ll find the printable recipe for these Simple Sugar Cookies.
First start with, my rolled sugar cookie recipe that doesn’t spread for the best results.=
How to Make Rolled Sugar Cookies
- Preheat oven.
- In a large bowl or a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add flour, baking powder and salt, mixing well.
- Refrigerate dough for 1 hour. Quick tip: refrigerate remaining dough until you’re ready to roll it out.
Tips for Making Simple Sugar Cookies
Now this is what makes these simple sugar cookies so much easier!
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll your sugar cookie dough out directly on the cookie sheet (you can transfer parchment paper on and off cookie sheets if they’re not wide enough. Roll out dough to 1/4-1/3″ thick.
- Cut into shapes leaving just a touch of space in between.
- Peel away excess dough. Chill the dough in between until you’re ready to roll out for best results.
See, no fuss, no mess! Just easy sugar cookies that you’ll find yourself making again and again. But that’s not all! You can have delicious cookie frosting that looks pretty, too!
There are two kinds of sugar cookie icing and well, it’s no secret that I’m not fond of royal icing. While it’s beautiful, I’ve never had royal icing I’ve craved or said “that was amazing.” this cookie frosting is my favorite way to top rolled sugar cookies. With this delicious recipe, and a couple simple tips, they can be just as beautiful as royal iced cookies, and craveable.
How to Make Sugar Cookie Frosting
- Beat butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar.
- Add milk until smooth and any food coloring.
How to Ice Sugar Cookies with Cookie Frosting – the Easy Way
This sugar cookie frosting goes on smooth and you can put it on in a couple different ways!
The first method to frost sugar cookies with the best cookie frosting is to warm it in the microwave in a measuring cup for a few seconds, stir and pour onto the center of the cookie. Then using a frosting spatula or butter knife spread onto the cookie evenly. Dry on parchment paper.
The other easy way to ice sugar cookies it to warm the icing in a bowl, stir and dip! Keeping fingers on the edge of the cookie, dip it and allow it to drip. You can use a frosting spatula to remove any excess from the edges of the cookie. This gives them that glossy look we’ve all come to love from royal icing, but with all the flavor of buttercream! If you want, add sprinkles, then allow them to dry on parchment paper.

Simple Sugar Cookies (Rolled Sugar Cookies with Cookie Frosting)
These Simple Sugar Cookies are so easy - and SO amazing! Get the tips and tricks to make Rolled Sugar Cookies with the best Cookie Frosting perfect every time, without the effort!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c butter softened to room temperature
- 2 c sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 5 c flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
Cookie Frosting
- 1/2 c butter softened
- 3 c powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- In a large bowl/your mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour, baking powder and salt, mixing well. Refrigerate dough for 1 hour. Quick tip: refrigerate remaining dough until you're ready to roll it out.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- This is what makes them SO simple! Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll out dough to 1/4-1/3" thick.
- Press your cookie cutter onto the cookie sheets, leaving a half inch or so between each. Peel away your excess dough. {No flouring needed! Yay!}
- Bake 6-7 minutes and allow to cool.
Whip butter, gradually adding powdered sugar. Add heavy cream and vanilla. Blend until smooth.
Warm icing and dip cooled cookies in to frost. Allow to set on parchment paper.
LET’S CONNECT!
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Very pretty, I am a cookie lover. I just made shortbread heart cookies over the weekend, will be posting them later. Nice post and photos andi thewednesdaybaker
Thank you Andi! I’ll have to check them out!
I have made these cookies twice, most recently for my daughter’s first birthday party, and they are every bit as delicious as they look. Super simple and tasty these will definitely be my go to sugar cookie recipe from now on. Thanks Julie!
Thank you Noelani for sharing! You’re so sweet! I wish I could have one right now…
how many dozens does this make approx.?
It’s depends on your cookie cutters, but several!
Once baked, and before being frosted, can these cookies be frozen?
Absolutely!
Hi-Was wondering if the leftover dough that is pulled away could be re-rolled and cut out again. And would I need to add more flour, etc? I’m using this for Christmas cookie decorating with a bunch of kids. Thanks for the help!
Absolutely! Enjoy!
How many cookies does this make??
It all depends on the size cookie cutter you use and if you reuse the dough from cutouts – up to 4 dozen.
This recipe isn’t working for me! I have gone through 2 bags of flour and ruined 3 batches of dough. It’s sticky. What am I doing wrong??
Are you refrigerating? Using flour to roll the dough? Melted butter vs softened? Don’t forget to flour your rolling pin as well.
Just made these cookies and they are a hit with the family, thank you for sharing your recipe! Have a happy new year!
So glad that you enjoy them as well. Happy New Year, Brooke!
i have never thought about rolling out the dough ON the baking pan so you don’t have to transfer the limp cut dough. brilliant! thanks for that gem.
Do you have to roll these out or can you drop by teaspoon full on cookie sheet and bake
You can roll them into balls and press. If you’re looking for a drop sugar cookie, try my melt in your mouth sugar cookie recipe. Enjoy!
Quick question! Is it possible to half the dough amount by simply doing only half of the amount of eac ingredient? Or is that not recommended?
Of course! Enjoy!
Would you please repost the recipe for the buttercream icing? Thanks!
There’s a link to it in the post, enjoy!
These cookies are super easy and very good! loved them!
These are my all time favorite sugar cookies!
why have I never thought to roll the dough right on the pan!! genius! Great recipe.
thank you for sharing this yummy hearts day treat, pinned. Hugs
Just made a batch of these for my kids and they were so good! They’re going to love these when they get home from school!
This is my favorite sugar cookie recipe. All time go to!
Since there is milk in the frosting recipe do the cookies have to be refrigerated afterward? Does buttercream frosting ever have to be refrigerated?
I personally don’t – they keep well. Enjoy!