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Thick magnolia sugar cookies with soft pink vanilla almond frosting and white sprinkles on marble surface

Magnolia Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Almond Frosting

Thick, soft sugar cookies inspired by Magnolia Bakery, topped with a smooth vanilla almond frosting that sets without getting sticky.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 195

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough
  • 360 g cake flour spooned and leveled
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 170 g unsalted butter room temperature
  • 200 g granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk room temperature
  • 60 g sour cream full fat
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.5 tsp almond extract
Vanilla Almond Frosting
  • 115 g unsalted butter room temperature
  • 360 g powdered sugar sifted
  • 3 to 4 tbsp heavy cream adjust for consistency
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.25 tsp almond extract
  • 1 pinch pinch of salt
  • 1 to 2 drops gel food coloring optional
  • as needed sprinkles for topping

Method
 

Make the Dough
  1. Whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  2. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a stand mixer on medium-high for 3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  3. Add the egg, egg yolk, sour cream, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix on medium until smooth and combined, about 1 minute.
  4. Add the flour mixture and mix on low just until no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Bake the Cookies
  1. Heat the oven to 175 C / 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Scoop the chilled dough into balls using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop (about 45 g each) and place them 5 cm apart on the prepared sheets.
  3. Press each ball gently with the flat bottom of a glass to about 1.5 cm thick.
  4. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, until the edges look just set and the centers appear slightly underdone. The tops should stay pale with no browning.
  5. Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting and Finish
  1. Beat the butter on medium-high for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly airy.
  2. Add the sifted powdered sugar in two additions, mixing on low between each, then add the vanilla, almond extract, and salt.
  3. Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time, mixing on medium, until the frosting is thick but spreadable.
  4. Tint with gel food coloring if using, mixing until the color is even.
  5. Spread a generous layer of frosting onto each cooled cookie using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
  6. Add sprinkles immediately while the frosting is still wet. Let set for 45 to 60 minutes before stacking or packaging.

Notes

Nutrition is estimated per frosted cookie based on a batch of 24. Calorie count will vary slightly depending on how thick you spread the frosting.