All butter sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you need to refrigerate cookies with cream cheese frosting? ›

So does it need refrigeration? Food Network Kitchens: Yes, you should always refrigerate any cake or cupcake that has cream cheese frosting.

An equal ratio of butter to cream cheese yields a super smooth, spreadable frosting, while still maintaining the distinctive tangy flavor. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Over-whipping the cream cheese can lead to a stickier frosting.

Yes! You can use any canned frosting, or even make your own (but that's for another time).

Unsalted butter – It gives the frosting buttery flavor and a texture that's thick enough for piping.

Cream cheese should not be left out longer than two hours at room temp (or higher than 40 degrees F) because it then becomes a playground for nasty bacteria like salmonella. No one wants a trip to the emergency room over the carrot cake. If it's been out for longer than two hours, toss it—better safe than sorry.

While the addition of butter and powdered sugar does help to stabilize it, cream cheese frosting should only be left out at room temperature for two hours before it needs to be put in the fridge.

Frosting is the thickest of the bunch, thanks to (usually) employing something creamy in the makeup—such as butter, whipping cream, or cream cheese. Icing generally uses cream or egg whites as a thickener, but tends to be more liquid when applied and hardens as it dries.

Add a little dairy.

If you want to add a little bit of tanginess and creaminess, whip in some softened cream cheese. You can also whip in a few tablespoons of softened butter to replicate a homemade buttercream frosting.

Should sugar cookies with frosting be refrigerated? ›

Refrigerating is an option, but not always the best one. If you refrigerate undecorated sugar cookies, they might last longer, but they can also get dry and crumbly. If you refrigerate decorated cookies, the frosting will likely soften.

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating. I like to decorate cookies directly on baking sheets so I can stick the entire baking sheet in the refrigerator to help set the icing. So place the cooled cookies back on baking sheets.

How to thicken cream cheese frosting. If the consistency is too thin or runny you can put the frosting mixture in the fridge for up to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.If it's still too thin, take out some of the runny mixture and beat in some more cream cheese.

Mixing Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting

For years, I mixed my cream cheese frosting like everyone else — beat the cream cheese first, then add the butter before incorporating the powdered sugar. Over-mixing the cream cheese often results in a cream cheese icing with a sticky mouthfeel.

This could be because the butter was too soft or you added too much milk if it is buttercream frosting or it could be that you have overbeaten it if you're making cream cheese frosting. Also, a hot kitchen can make frostings go runny, so be mindful of the temperature.

We do not suggest freezing cookie icing or treats that have been decorated with cookie icing. For best results, store your cookies on a covered plate, at room temperature, and enjoy within 1 to 2 weeks of decorating.

The best way to store these cookies depends on whether they have or have not been frosted. Unfrosted cookies will last for about a week in an airtight container at room temperature. Frosted cookies, meanwhile, should stay refrigerated. They'll last for about three days (in an airtight container) in the fridge.

Refrigerating is an option, but not always the best one. If you refrigerate undecorated sugar cookies, they might last longer, but they can also get dry and crumbly. If you refrigerate decorated cookies, the frosting will likely soften.

If you're storing cookies with frosting, remember not to stack them on each other. You will need more space to store them correctly, so if you can, store undecorated cookies and add frosting before serving. Choose to store them at room temperature or in the freezer instead of the fridge.