When you have been baking and decorating sugar cookies for as many years as I have, you come to really appreciate some staple recipes like this fantastic Sugar Cookie Frosting (that hardens)!
The wonderful bonus of this frosting is that it will set up and harden, which means that you can stack your decorated cookies for storing, sharing, and shipping to loved ones!
I LOVE sharing my decorated cookies (and it gets them out of the house so they don't ALL get eaten!), so being able to stack, freeze, package and even ship them out via mail is very important to us.
My royal icing that we use for sugar cookie decorating will also set up for these purposes, but sometimes you want a different look...or maybe you need to get something decorated quickly.
In the case of ease and speed, I usually like to frost my holiday cut out sugar cookies. I don't have to wait as long to use my baked sugar cookies when frosting them vs using royal icing. Plus, this sugar cookie frosting hardens up and sets faster than royal icing.
This sugar cookie frosting is also an excellent choice for ultra or super white frosting, as your base is already white (vegetable shortening), so you won't need any other methods of whitening your frosting. You can even replace buttercream frosting in cake decorating with our sugar cookie frosting, as it holds up well to high heat and humidity.
If the thought of using shortening doesn't sound so appealing, remember to add a generous amount of extract flavoring, and you really won't be able to tell the difference!
My super easy no chill rolled sugar cookie recipe is a great time saver when you're in a crunch but still want that classic cut out sugar cookie appearance!
If you're looking for the best classic rolled sugar cookies, then you'll want to try my tried and true favorite version that I have been using for decades!!
Remember that really old recipe that your Grandma used? It may just be my vintage recipe for sugar cookies!
Looking for more holiday cookie ideas? Try my Chocolate Peppermint No Bake Cookies for a delightful twist on a favorite cookie, or my kid favorite holiday treat No Bake Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Crisps.
*If you want to try to substitute some butter into this frosting (which would make it a buttercream frosting), you will change the resulting texture and the ability of this frosting to 'set up' for storing!
**I typically freeze my baked and decorated cookies, then stack them neatly with wax paper dividers before shipping them out to friends and family. They will thaw during transit, but it helps when paired with careful packaging!
Best Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipes
- No Chill Rolled Sugar Cookies
- Classic Sugar Cookies (our favorite for rolled and cut out sugar cookies)
- Vintage Betty Crocker Sugar Cookies
📖 Recipe Card
Sugar Cookie Frosting (that hardens)
Ingredients
- ½ cup shortening (we use Crisco, you can use butter flavored if desired)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or extract flavoring of choice)
- 4 cups confectioners sugar (½ of a 2 lb bag)
- 4 tablespoon heavy cream (2-4 Tbsp, start with 2 Tbsp)
- food coloring (if desired)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl, combine the shortening and vanilla extract using the whisk attachment. Beat until well combined and a creamy consistency.
- Add the confectioners sugar and heavy cream in alternating amounts, starting with the first cup of confectioners sugar. Then add a drizzle of heavy cream (½ to 1 tablespoon at a time), and alternate again until all of the confectioners sugar has been incorporated.
- Add enough heavy cream when alternating so that your stand mixer or handheld mixer can work with the frosting as it comes together (if the frosting is too stiff, add more liquid).
- The amount of liquid can vary greatly depending on your temperature and humidity (weather conditions). Use enough liquid to get a consistency that is typically thicker than store bought frosting, but that will still pipe or spread easily when applied to cookies.
- *Adding food coloring is optional, and you can add whatever type of food coloring you have on hand. For best results, use gel food coloring whenever possible.
Jeanie says
Don't have heavy cream, can 2% milk be used in place of heavy cream and will that affect whether it hardens or not? Love your soft sugar cookie recipe! Thank you.
Angela Latimer says
You can milk (and even water) just start with less and add more as needed. It will still harden and set. Make the frosting thick enough for piping for best results. And thank you - I love sugar cookies ❤️
Tamara says
How can you make this frosting chocolate? And can you freeze the cookies already frosted?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
For a single batch of the sugar cookie frosting, reduce the confectioners sugar by 3/4 cup to 3 1/4 cup and add 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder instead. Sift in the cocoa powder then mix as directed.
Yes, frosted cookies will freeze very well. Thanks for asking!
Lindsey says
Hi! About how long do you have to wait for this frosting to dry completely? Thanks!
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
It will depend on how much liquid you used, but I typically just let these setup overnight. They're usually hardened to the touch within a few hours (but you can still press and break the surface). Thanks for asking!
Lindsey says
Do the cookies get hard sitting out overnight?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
No, not at all. They will actually soften as they soak in a bit of moisture from the frosting too,
Laurel Bakker says
FABULOUS. Thank you!
These are the same recipe ingredients I knew from when I used to help a middle-aged lady in my neighborhood with her baking business. I used to think the shortening ingredient was freaky, but the frosting did taste really great and her customers loved it. She explained to me that shortening's just another dietary fat, that butter is an animal fat and if you aren't vegan/vegetarian, you're already eating animal fat in your diet. She used "the old Crisco" before they made it "Trans-Fat Free".
There's a comparable "old Crisco" at Walmart now.... it's their Great Value brand, but be aware there are TWO types of Great Value shortenings. Be sure the label just says ***SHORTENING***, NOT All-Vegetable Shortening.
Thanks for sharing the recipe! *****Five Stars!***** <3
Susan Abbott says
Would you use this for outlining cookies that are going to be flooded or would you just use a thicker version of the glossy icing?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
I would use a thicker version of the glossy icing, but either will work!
Amy says
Could this be piped onto cupcakes? I’m looking for a white frosting that has a dense texture thru and thru, like a thick buttercream that doesn’t squish when you slice into it. And fairly dry, like meringue candy but chewy. But I don’t want a frosting that has an outside crust and a soft inside. Would this work?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
This is very much like a buttercream (using shortening instead) that does harden enough to not squish due to the softer center of buttercream. I'm not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but I would try it out. Hope that helps!
Linda says
If your cookies are heat sealed in cello or polypropolene bags do you know what the shelf life would be?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
I have not done this personally, and it will depend on your cookie recipe, but the marketers I know have said these cookies can last for weeks.
Sally Gann says
Can the frosting be kept on the counter for a few days or does it need to be refrigerated?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
It can be stored at room temperature, just make sure that the surface is covered with plastic cling film so that it doesn't start to harden and set. Enjoy!
Kay says
using royal icing seems to run when writing with 2nd color
any suggestions
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Are you using royal icing as the base? Or this frosting recipe??
Haley says
Will it harden without the addition of butter
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, it will harden with or without butter.
Tenely Cross says
Would this frosting work on a candy house, where you attach wrapped candies and then want it to harden?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
If you're thinking of the type of icing used for a gingerbread house then you can use this recipe (my gingerbread glue recipe). If you want to decorate cookies that will attach and make a house you can definitely use this icing. Once it sets you can stack your cookies, glue them together, and pretty much do anything you want 🙂
Anne Grace Nimke says
I have used and shared this recipe more times than I can count. It is excellent for all methods of sugar cookie decorating. Thank you!! Only one comment - when multiplying the recipe 1x 2x 3x the words in the parentheses (like “1/2 of a 2 pound bag” and others) remain regardless of the coupling or tripling of the measurements. Little thing I know but I thought I’d point it out.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
It is not a little thing, and I appreciate your feedback on that function (or lack of function). It is something that our site is looking into. Thanks, and so glad you enjoy the frosting!
Deb Kendall says
I have a question: I'm making sugar cookies for a graduation. The cookie cutter has a raised pattern on it that transfers onto each cookie. Is there a thinner glaze version of this icing I could use that would naturally "settle" into the grooves on the cookie to make the embossed pattern visible without additional piping?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Hello! You can use my icing that hardens here https://bakeitwithlove.com/glossy-sugar-cookie-icing-that-hardens/ but I typically make a simple glaze of water or milk with powdered sugar and your favorite extract. Mix until smooth and thinned to your liking. Dip the embossed cookies into the glaze then allow them to drip and set on a wire cooling rack. Hope that helps!
Lori says
How long in advance can you make this frosting? I'm having several grandkids over to decorate cookies and I wanted to make the frosting ahead of they getting here, but I don't want it to harden!
Thank you
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Hi Lori, this can easily last for several weeks (and even up to 3 months since it's made with shortening) when stored in the refrigerator. Transfer it into an airtight container and cover the surface layer with plastic cling film to prevent drying. Place your container out at room temperature before using. Have fun!!
Nicole says
I came across this recipe about a year ago and I absolutely love it!!
I have one question thought. Is this GF?
Thank you! 🙂
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Hi Nicole, so happy that you love the frosting! It is indeed gluten-free, thanks for asking!!
Mollie Davis says
A follow up on the flooding question...
Can we add more liquid to this recipe to get a flooding consistency? Will it still set up?
Thank you!
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
I wouldn't add water to this recipe necessarily, although I suppose it could be done. For flooding I always use an icing recipe version, either a base powdered sugar w/ water or milk (and vanilla), royal icing, or my high shine glossy using corn syrup. All three icings will also harden for shipping and stacking. I'll be adding them shortly! Hope that helps!
Melissa Baier says
How does this frosting set up when used to flood?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
When using this frosting as an outline for flooding, it sets up beautifully. This frosting will harden once set, pretty much whichever way you want to use it. Thanks for asking!