Sugar Cookie Icing Drizzle

Featured in: Seasonal Treats

These buttery sugar cookies offer a tender, melt-in-the-mouth texture with a rich vanilla flavor. Prepared by creaming softened butter and sugar before folding in flour and baking to golden perfection. Once cooled, a smooth powdered sugar icing, subtly flavored with vanilla and optionally tinted, is drizzled on top for a sweet finishing touch. Perfect for snack times or festive gatherings, variations include a hint of lemon zest or decorative sprinkles.

Simple steps and common ingredients make this sweet treat accessible for all skill levels, delivering delightful results in just 30 minutes. Ideal for sharing or gifting.

Updated on Sun, 14 Dec 2025 19:08:51 GMT
Golden-edged sugar cookies with a vibrant icing drizzle, perfect for a sweet treat. Pin
Golden-edged sugar cookies with a vibrant icing drizzle, perfect for a sweet treat. | cinnamonnest.com

Enjoy the timeless delight of buttery sugar cookies topped with a vibrant, sweet icing drizzle. This American classic is a perfect treat for any occasion, combining simplicity with a splash of color to brighten up your dessert plate. Whether you're baking for family gatherings, celebrations, or just because, these sugar cookies deliver a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s both charming and delicious.

Golden-edged sugar cookies with a vibrant icing drizzle, perfect for a sweet treat. Pin
Golden-edged sugar cookies with a vibrant icing drizzle, perfect for a sweet treat. | cinnamonnest.com

These sugar cookies boast a delicate texture, lightly crisp at the edges while tender in the center. The versatility of the icing allows you to play with colors and flavors, creating cookies that look as delightful as they taste. A wonderful project to enjoy with kids or to add a charming homemade touch to your dessert table.

Ingredients

  • For the Sugar Cookies
    • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract
    • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
    • ½ tsp baking powder
    • ½ tsp salt
  • For the Icing Drizzle
    • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
    • 2–3 tbsp milk
    • ½ tsp vanilla extract
    • Food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugar
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
3. Add egg and vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract; mix until combined.
4. Combine dry ingredients and mix
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
5. Shape cookies
Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Flatten slightly with your hand or the bottom of a glass.
6. Bake and cool
Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until edges are just golden. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Prepare icing
For the icing, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. If desired, divide and tint with food coloring.
8. Drizzle icing
Once cookies are cool, drizzle icing over the tops using a spoon or piping bag. Allow icing to set before serving.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For an extra burst of flavor, add a pinch of lemon zest to the icing. This will brighten the sweetness and add a refreshing citrus note. When flattening the cookie dough balls, ensure they are even to achieve uniform baking. Allow enough spacing on the baking sheet to prevent cookies from spreading into each other.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend suitable for baking. Experiment with different food colorings or add sprinkles to the icing before it sets to create festive, themed cookies. You can also infuse the icing with almond or lemon extracts instead of vanilla for a unique twist.

Serviervorschläge

These sugar cookies are perfect as a standalone treat with tea or coffee. They also pair beautifully with fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. Arrange on a decorative plate to impress guests or to create a colorful gift box for friends and family.

A plate of freshly baked sugar cookies with a colorful, swirled icing drizzle looks delicious. Pin
A plate of freshly baked sugar cookies with a colorful, swirled icing drizzle looks delicious. | cinnamonnest.com

Whether baked for a casual snack or a special event, these sugar cookies with icing drizzle combine ease, taste, and visual appeal. Their buttery richness and fun decoration will make you reach for seconds, and their straightforward preparation will keep you coming back to bake them again and again.

Recipe FAQ

What ingredient gives these cookies a tender texture?

Softened butter creamed with sugar creates a tender and light crumb in the cookies.

Can food coloring be added to the icing?

Yes, adding food coloring to the icing allows for colorful drizzles that enhance visual appeal.

How should the cookies be shaped before baking?

Roll dough into rounded balls, place them spaced apart, and flatten slightly for even baking.

Is it possible to add a citrus flavor twist?

Yes, adding a pinch of lemon zest to the icing creates a refreshing citrus note.

How can I ensure the icing sets properly on the cookies?

Allow the cookies to cool completely before drizzling, then let the icing sit undisturbed until firm.

Are there gluten-free options for the flour?

Replacing all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend can make these cookies suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.

Sugar Cookie Icing Drizzle

Buttery sugar cookies enhanced with a sweet, colorful icing drizzle for delightful treats.

Prep duration
20 min
Cooking duration
10 min
Total duration
30 min

Category Seasonal Treats

Difficulty Easy

Origin American

Yield 18 Servings

Dietary requirements Vegetarian

Ingredients

Sugar Cookies

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 1 cup granulated sugar
03 1 large egg
04 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
05 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
06 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 1/2 teaspoon salt

Icing Drizzle

01 1 cup powdered sugar
02 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
03 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
04 Food coloring (optional)

Directions

Step 01

Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Step 03

Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until fully combined.

Step 04

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 05

Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing.

Step 06

Form and Flatten Dough Balls: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and shape into balls. Place them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets, flattening each slightly with your hand or the bottom of a glass.

Step 07

Bake Cookies: Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 08

Prepare Icing Drizzle: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl until smooth. Optionally divide and tint with food coloring.

Step 09

Decorate Cookies: Once cool, drizzle the icing over cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Allow the icing to set before serving.

Necessary tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack
  • Small bowl for icing

Allergy information

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare provider if you're uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy (butter, milk), and egg. Verify labels on food coloring and vanilla extract for potential allergens.

Nutritional information (per serving)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 150
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Carbs: 20 g
  • Protein: 1 g