This tried-and-true cookie cake icing is the perfect consistency for piping onto cookie cakes, it has that classic bakery flavor, and it's easy to whip up whenever you need it. It's truly the best cookie cake frosting ever!
Use it on my traditional chocolate chip cookie cake as a quick border or cover the whole thing to make a themed cookie cake (baseball cookie cake, anyone?).
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Why I Love This Cookie Cake Icing
- It's a proven recipe: Hundreds of readers have used my cookie cake icing recipe with success after my Homemade Cookie Cake Recipe ranked at the top of Google. You won't be disappointed!
- It has the perfect flavor and consistency: It tastes like the frosting you get on cookies from the mall, with that little bit of crust on the outside that makes it extra yummy. If you're looking for a homemade Great American Cookie icing recipe, this comes close!
- It's versatile: This is the frosting I use on my Homemade Cookie Cake, Sheet Pan Cookie Cake, and Double Layer Cookie Cake (we adjust the amounts to make the sheet cake & layered cookie cake). Of course, you can also use it on any of my cookie cake recipes or even sandwich it in between regular cookies too (like my Chewy Mini M&M Cookies).
Best Piping Tip for Cookie Cakes
I like to use a large star piping tip when piping frosting onto the border of a cookie cake.
It's super easy to use & makes your cookie cakes look like they came from a bakery! If you don't have the cake decorating skills to write or pipe an elaborate design, this tip lets you get a professional look with practically no effort at all.
Second, it's just the right size for this cookie cake frosting recipe. The frosting is thick and stiff, so the large tip works well. If you try to use it with a smaller star tip, you may have trouble with it coming out.
How to Decorate a Cookie Cake
I like to make cookie cake icing stiffer vs. super fluffy, which means it holds its piped shape & hardens better. This makes your frosted cookie cake easier to serve, slice, and store. The frosting doesn't get crunchy, but it does develop a thin crust.
Here are some fun cookie cake frosting ideas anyone can do:
- Add border: Use the large star piping tip above to create a simple border. You can leave this as-is, or add sprinkles.
- Color it! Color it with Wilton gel for a pretty hue. See my trick for getting pastels in my How to Make Light Pink Frosting post.
- Use stencils: Use the printable number stencils from my Giant Birthday Cookie Cake.
- Sprinkles: Frost the whole cake with an offset spatula and add sprinkles to the top.
- Add phrases! Get a letterboard cake topper kit to make adding a message to your cookie cake super easy!
If you're making a giant cookie cake recipe in my DIY Cookie Cake Pan, I recommend removing the edges before you decorate it!
Frosting Variations
Not only is this the best icing for cookie cakes, it's also the most customizable! Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Funfetti: Add sprinkles on top or use my chewy funfetti cookie cake recipe, if you want something even more festive!
- Cookies & Cream: Mix Oreo crumbs into the vanilla frosting, like in my oreo cookie pizza.
- Lemon: Add ½ -1 teaspoon of lemon extract or use the frosting recipe in my lemon cookie cake (developed for a sugar cookie cake!).
- Vanilla Almond: Use this on a Frosted Sugar Cookie Cake.
- Chocolate: If you want a chocolate cookie cake frosting recipe, try the one in my chewy s’mores cookie cake.
- Peanut Butter: Use the frosting recipe in peanut butter cookie cake.
Reader Success!
This cookie cake frosting was originally published with my classic cookie cake recipe. Here's what readers have to say about it:
This is THE BEST COOKIE CAKE EVER!! I make it all the time for friends and family and they all love it and say it’s way better than store bought. Everyone always ask to buy one from me because they’re so good! - Emily
I have made this cookie cake a dozen times already, my family prefers it to the store-bought cookie cakes!!! Thanks so much - Lyndell
I am a bit of a cookie cake snob. This is absolutely fabulous – chewy, buttery, with flecks of chocolate throughout. The icing is light, fluffy and adds a bit of delight towards the end of your slice of cookie cake. I highly recommend this recipe! - Megan
Storage & Freezing
- Storing: This cookie cake frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to use, let it come to room temperature and then re-whip it before piping.
- Freezing: Freeze any leftover frosting for 2 to 3 months in a freezer bag or airtight container. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight then re-whip it before piping.
Fun Themed Cookie Cake Decorating Ideas:
Best Cookie Cake Icing
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick) softened to room temperature
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
- Beat the softened unsalted butter (½ cup, i.e. 1 stick) on medium-high speed for 2 minutes until smooth.
- Turn the mixer to low speed then add the powdered sugar (¼ cup at a time, 2 ½ cups total). You may need to stop and scrape down sides.
- Add vanilla extract (2 teaspoons) and salt (⅛ teaspoon) and turn mixer to medium speed. One tablespoon at a time, add milk (2-3 tablespoons). Beat on high for 2-3 minutes until creamy and the frosting is at a good consistency to pipe.If it looks too runny, add more powdered sugar. If it looks too stiff, add a tiny bit of milk until you get to the desired consistency.
- If adding sprinkes, be sure to add them right way before the frosting hardens.
- See notes below for storing instructions.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Notes
- Storage Note: This homemade buttercream will start developing a crust, which makes it a great frosting to make a day ahead. Because of the sugar content, you don’t need to refrigerate the frosted cookie cake if you plan to enjoy it within 1-2 days. If you are making ahead earlier, I’d suggest waiting to frost until day of OR gently wrap the frosted cookie after the frosting sets and place in the fridge.
- This recipe makes enough to create a generous border and write a message in center or use my number stencil.
- You can use Wilton gel to color it; use the toothpick trick from my How to Make Light Pink Frosting post to make light pastel colors.
- Be sure to add sprinkles right way before the frosting hardens.
- If you plan on writing a message, I recommend thinning half the frosting with 1 to 2 teaspoons of milk.
Rose says
So easy and just perfect for my hubby’s birthday cake! He requested cookie cake but I wasn’t sure how to frost it, and this did the trick. Thank you!
Melissa says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Rose!
D'arne Payne says
Fantastic best icing I have had for a long time!
Many Thanks!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, D'arne! I really appreciate it!
Taylor Morton says
love it it turned out perfect!
Brianna says
I recently came across this frosting recipe while making cookie cake and decided to give it a try. And I’m sure glad that I did! I’ve used it several times since and it’s turned out perfectly every single time. Last batch I even split and added 1/2 cup of cocoa powder to half to give me both chocolate and vanilla frosting and it turned out great! Thanks so much!
Melissa says
Yay, so glad you loved this recipe, Brianna! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
carrie says
This turned out perfectly and was soooo good.
Melissa says
So glad you loved the recipe, Carrie! Thank you for leaving a review!
Bri G says
I only had enough powdered sugar to make half the recipe and it was great! Not too sweet!
Melissa says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Bri! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Cassidy says
Wow! This was WAS easier than I thought. At first I was getting nervous about the consistency but once you add the milk it all comes together! I even added almond extract to mine and it was delicious. I only added about 1/4 of almond extract if anyone wants to try that. Thanks for the recipe!!
Melissa says
Yay, so glad you trusted the process! :) Thank you so much for leaving a review, Cassidy!
Alisha McClellan says
Hey I just made the frosting SO GOOD AND EASY! Thank you so much
Quick question, once I put it on my cookie ( I want to use it to make cookie sandwiches) how long is it good for at room temp? I also heat deal my cookies in bags
Melissa says
Hi Alisha! It will last a few days at least. Usually when I know they won't be enjoyed after around 3 days, I'll use shelf stable milk just to be safe (I get the little Horizon kid-sized cartons).
Nouhad Ajouz says
It was the first time for me to do frosting and piping, this easy and tasty frosting made it so special and willing to repeat tit lots of times. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Melissa says
Yay, so glad it turned out for it being your first time! Thank you so much for trying out my recipe and taking the time to leave a review! :)
Peggy C. says
This icing is absolutely delicious and it was easy apply to the cookie cake. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Melissa says
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Peggy! I’m so glad to hear you loved this recipe!
Sabrina Wilson says
Great easy recipe for cookie cakes but can be used for all baked goods.
Laila says
Pretty good for the most part. The only thing I would say is it is SWEET! It also is a pain in the butt waiting for butter to soften but that comes with almost any recipe. It is a hard clean up. It is very greasy so I would recommend putting it in a disposable piping bag so that you don’t have to clean a reusable one.
Melissa says
Thank you for leaving a review, Laila! I appreciate it!
Becky Watson says
Turned out good. Wondering where you get the boxes?
Melissa says
Hi Becky,
I've used these cookie cake boxes in the past! https://amzn.to/3S8MzxC
Melissa Montopoli says
Amazing ❤️ my ten year old said it was awesome. Will make again for sure!
CarrieAnn says
Delicious!!!😋
CarrieAnn says
AMAZING!!!!😋