Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (2024)

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by Katrina Bahl

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I’ve been perfecting my Christmas Sugar Cookies (cutouts) for 20+ years. This is the BEST Christmas Cookie Frosting recipe I use to top them!

Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (1)

Most people have strong opinions about politics, religion, global warming, etc.

I mean these are important things, so I get it, but I have opinions about cookies- especially cut-out cookies and the frosting that tops them.

Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (2)
  1. The cookie needs to be sturdy enough to hold a generous amount of frosting.
  2. Soft cut-out cookies only, please!
  3. Keep the sprinkles to a minimum… I’m trying to enjoy the frosting, not break a tooth.
  4. Finally, the frosting needs not to be sticky. I have children running around my house with cookies in their hands. I don’t need the frosting sticking to them and whatever they touch (and they touch EVERYTHING).
Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (3)

What Makes This the BEST Christmas Cookie Frosting?

This is a no-fuss frosting recipe.

Omit the almond extract if you don’t have any on hand.

Try other extracts such as peppermint, lemon, or rum. I have even seen cake batter extract in some craft and specialty stores!

You can add more or less heavy cream (or milk) to make the consistency that you need. If I’m spreading the Christmas Cookie Frosting with a knife, I use more cream. If I’m piping the frosting, I tend to make it stiffer and use less cream.

For a special twist sometimes I even use liquid vanilla coffee creamer.

If you make your frosting too runny you can add more powdered sugar to thicken it up.

Are you looking for a stiff frosting that dries completely hard?

Try mySmall Batch Royal Icing recipe. I use it for cookies as well as for building and decorating gingerbread houses.

Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (4)

I’ve been perfecting my BEST Sugar Cookies Ever and this BEST Christmas Cookie Frosting for over 20 years.

These are the most popular recipes on my website and the most requested recipes from family and friends. You don’t want to pass this up!

Q and A about Christmas Cookie Frosting:

Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (5)

Can I use this Christmas Cookie Frosting on Valentine’s Day cookies? Halloween? etc.

  • Yes! Use I use this frosting recipe for nearly every cookie I make all year long.
  • You can use it to frost cakes as well!

Ewww shortening is DISGUSTING! How could you?!

  • I’m sorry to ruin your life. There’s good news and bad news here. The good news is that you can use whatever frosting recipe you want! The bad news is that you have to follow this recipe to get the stated results.
  • Shortening (Crisco is what I generally use) makes this a “crisping” frosting. It will hold its shape days after being piped onto cookies. It won’t melt or wilt and isn’t sticky like store-bought frosting tends to be. I can also stack cookies for freezing and/or transporting after the frosting crisps up (at least 2-4 hours).
  • More good news- there are organic all vegetable shortenings available out there in Internet land. I linked to one at the bottom of this post.

I’m still disgusted about using shortening. I’m going to use butter. Can I use butter…?

  • You can use 1/2 butter and 1/2 shortening with similar results… but please don’t email me saying that the frosting didn’t crisp up and it didn’t hold its shape very well.
  • If you want to use all butter, well then you are making American Buttercream. It’s delicious and I frost my cakes with it.

Everyone I know has a nut allergy. Can I omit the almond extract?

  • You’re in good company; my son has a peanut allergy. My heart is happy that you want to accommodate all of the special dietary needs in your family and circle of friends. Bless you!!
  • I personally use IMITATION almond extract. According to FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education):

Avoid natural extracts, such as pure almond extract. Imitation or artificially flavored extracts generally are safe.

  • Always best to check with the person you are serving the cookies to, and of course let their doctor or allergist have the final word. If you are uncomfortable, you can omit the almond extract and use all vanilla extract.

How long and how can I store this Christmas Cookie Frosting?

  • Leftover frostingshouldbe transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use. It can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week and frozen for several months. Use leftover frostingjust as you would freshly whipped frostingonce it is warmed up and ready to spread. Bring it back to room temperature or to just slightly chilled.

Do I need to refrigerate frosted cookies?

  • As I’ve always understood it the small amount of milk is stabilized by a large amount of sugar and considered safe at room temperature for two to three days. But of course, do what feels safe for your family. We eat these within 2-3 days.

Those are really bright colors! What food coloring do you use?

  • I never use liquid food coloring (typical food coloring that you can find in the grocery store).
  • I prefer to use food coloring gel such as Americolor or Wilton.
  • You can find food coloring gel online (I link to it at the bottom of this post), at Hobby Lobby, JoAnne’s, Michaels, or even some Wal-Marts in the crafting/cake decorating section.
  • I prefer gels because you only need a few drops to get a vibrant rainbow of colors.
Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (6)

Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (7)

Christmas Cookie Frosting

Yield: 8 cups

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

I’ve been perfecting my Christmas Sugar Cookies (cut outs) for 20+ years. This is the Christmas Cookie Frosting recipe I use to top them!

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Ingredients

  • 1 Cup shortening, such as Crisco (*see notes)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract, *nut allergies see notes
  • 8 cups powdered sugar, about a 2 lb bag
  • 1/2 Cup heavy cream , or whole milk (more or less added to desired consistency)
  • Food coloring, if desired

Instructions

  • In the bowl of your mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl for use with your handheld electric mixer, place shortening and extracts. BEAT until creamy (at least 1 minute).

  • ADD powdered sugar 1 cup at a time.

  • ADD cream 2-3 Tablespoons at a time, alternating with the powdered sugar.

  • MIX until creamy. Use more or less cream (or whole milk) to reach desired consistency. (I like for it to be smooth enough to pipe through a piping bag, but still a bit more firm than typical store-bought frosting.)

  • ADD a 2-3 drops of gel food coloring if desired.

Notes

  • You can omit the almond extract. Replace with vanilla.
  • You can omit vanilla and almond extract and use 1 teaspoon peppermint extract.
  • Whole milk or heavy cream will be okay in this recipe.
  • Use more or less cream to reach our desired consistency. For spreading with a knife you may want more cream, for piping in bags you may want a firmer frosting so you can use less cream.
  • If you omit the shortening and decide to use all butter that is okay but the frosting will not crisp up and you will not be able to stack the cookies.

Nutrition

Calories: 748kcal, Sodium: 9mg

Course: Dessert, Frosting

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas, cookies, frosting, holiday

Original recipes and images © In Katrina’s Kitchen

Did you make this recipe?Tag @katrinaskitchen on Instagram with the hashtag #katrinaskitchenrecipes

Don’t forget to grab my Best Sugar Cookie Recipe while you’re here! Made and loved by millions every year!

Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (8)

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All Recipes, Christmas, Cookies, Frosting, Holidays

posted on December 13, 2016 — updated November 4, 2022 // 201 comments

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    201 Comments on “Christmas Cookie Frosting”

  1. DorothyReply

    This will be my third year using both your frosting and your sugar cookie recipes!! Hands down our favorite cookie and frosting combo! I do usually sub part butter for crisco, but the crisco helps give it the right texture to “set up”.Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (9)

  2. Cherryl FosterReply

    Made these Sunday with the grandchildren. They all helped cookies turned out perfect and icing superb! Wonderful cookies and memoriesBest Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (10)

  3. JudyReply

    i really like this frosting halved the recipe may try 1/2 crisco & 1/2 butter next time .Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (11)

  4. Betty KleinbeckReply

    I’m excited to make the cookies!! Thank you for sharing and making the recipe easy to follow.

  5. PaulaReply

    I have been looking for the perfect frosted sugar cookie recipe and FINALLY found Katrina’s! This frosting is perfect for her sugar cookie. The taste of each compliments the other. Delicious!Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (12)

  6. Susie KaneReply

    I have made this frosting twice now, and I must say, both times it resulted in piped frosting that did not stick to the cookies. Not sure what I did wrong.

  7. Karen CReply

    I have been using this recipe for several years. I love it because there is no refrigeration required prior to making cookies.
    This recipe produces an awesome sugar cookie that is ideal for decorating. It is very quick and easy.
    My so even uses this recipe.
    Thank you for giving us the “best” sugar cookie.Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (13)

Best Christmas Cookie Frosting Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What type of frosting is best for cookie decorating? ›

Royal icing is probably the most popular icing that cookie decorators use. It is preferable because it holds up very well if the cookies need to be stacked, shipped, stored, etc.. Royal icing can be made into a very nice glaze and also works great for very fine detail work.

How to frost cookies like a pro? ›

Start by outlining the cookie with piping-consistency icing in any color you choose. Then, use flooding-consistency icing to fill the outlined area, starting by flooding around the edges and working your way towards the center. If the flooding is inconsistent in thickness, redistribute the wet icing with a toothpick.

What's the difference between frosting and icing on cookies? ›

Frosting is the thickest of these confections and is ideal for spreading or piping on cakes, cupcakes and cookies. Icing is a little thinner than frosting and is often poured or piped over coffee cakes, pound cakes, doughnuts and cookies—and it usually hardens when it dries.

Is buttercream or royal icing better for decorating cookies? ›

If you want a neat and clean, beautiful/cute design on your cookies, go with royal icing. Most people who are decorating cookies in the first place are going for the eye appeal, so it's a popular choice. But if you value taste over looks, go with messy, delicious buttercream frosting.

What kind of frosting do most bakeries use? ›

Buttercream frostings rely on the main ingredient of butter and will be the most common type of frosting you will find in a bakery.

What frosting do professionals use for cakes? ›

Swiss meringue buttercream is probably the most standard buttercream for pastry professionals. It is incredibly smooth, making it an extremely popular choice for icing cakes. Compared to American buttercream, it has a much stronger butter flavor, but is considerably less sweet.

How long to let cookies sit before icing? ›

The warmth from the cookies will cause the royal icing to melt, cause colored sprinkles to bleed a rainbow of red and green, and make it impossible to create the Pinterest designs of your dreams. Let them sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes so that they can fully chill.

Does royal icing dry hard? ›

Does this icing get hard? As royal icing dries, it hardens to the consistency of a candy-like coating with a smooth, shiny finish, so it doesn't smear if you run your hands over it. It will take 6 to 8 hours to dry at room temperature.

Does Wilton cookie icing harden? ›

Cookie icing does not harden and will not dry hard like royal icing will. Therefore, we don't suggest using cookie icing for cookies that are going to be stacked or gifted or for assembling gingerbread houses.

Is buttercream or cream cheese frosting better? ›

For instance, carrot cake, red velvet cake, and other moist cakes are commonly made with cream cheese frosting. Its tangy flavor is a perfect addition to spiced cakes, cupcakes, and breads, but it's less versatile than buttercream, which offers a sweeter flavor that pairs with just about any dessert you bake.

What are 5 mistakes to avoid when making fudge icing? ›

What fudge frosting mistakes did I make?
  1. Adding too much sugar at once. Some recipes, like this, tell you to add it one spoon at a time and mix well. ...
  2. Not adding corn syrup. Sally's recipe calls for 1 tbsp of light corn syrup which she says makes the frosting “uniquely glossy and shiny”. ...
  3. Not enough milk.
Aug 23, 2017

How to turn canned frosting into a glaze? ›

Sure! Simply transfer your frosting to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high to 20 to 30 seconds. Stir well, then pour over your cake (or use it for donut glaze).

What are 5 mistakes to avoid when making butter icing? ›

There are a few different styles of buttercream, but no matter which one you make, be sure to avoid these mistakes.
  1. Starting with cold butter. ...
  2. Using a butter substitute. ...
  3. Using the wrong type of sugar for the job. ...
  4. Adding too much liquid. ...
  5. Giving up on your broken buttercream.

What do bakers use to decorate cookies? ›

The best icing for creating intricate designs and decorations on cookies is royal icing. Versatile and widely used in baking and cake decorating, it's prized for its smooth texture, glossy finish, and ability to harden to a firm consistency.

Do you have to refrigerate cookies with buttercream frosting? ›

do cookies with buttercream frosting need to be refrigerated? The short answer is no. American buttercream can generally sit at room temperature for up to two days. The cookies should be stored in an airtight container in a cool and dry area.

What type of frosting is best for decorating? ›

Royal icing is one of the best icings for decorating cakes. Mixing together powdered sugar, egg whites, and meringue powder or liquid provides a consistency relative to pancake batter. This makes it easy to pour into pastry bags to fulfill your decorating dreams.

How to make store-bought frosting better for decorating cookies? ›

How to Upgrade Store-Bought Frosting
  1. Cream cheese. Beat in 8 ounces of room temperature plain or flavored cream cheese. ...
  2. Whipped cream. Mix equal parts freshly whipped cream and frosting. ...
  3. Butter. ...
  4. Peanut butter or other nut butter. ...
  5. Nutella. ...
  6. Cookie butter. ...
  7. Jam, preserves, or marmalade. ...
  8. Lemon curd.
Feb 14, 2024

What consistency should icing be for decorating cookies? ›

You want this icing to be the consistency of soft-peak whipped egg whites. I've also compared it to the consistency of toothpaste. It should hold it's shape a little and not spread, but you can smooth it out with a scribe tool. All of the details on this cookie are piped out using a detail consistency icing.

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