Carmen's Random Tips: How to Keep Cookie Frosting from Sticking

Keep the Frosting on Your Sugar Cookies from Sticking with These Tips

photo credit: kmiller799 via photopin cc

If you've ever taken the time to bake sugar cookies -- particularly if you took the time to bake them from scratch -- and then took the time to frost them only to have the frosting smear when it's time to store the cookies, then you know just how frustrating this is. 

I've done this many times in my life and I just may get it right this year with these tips that I found for myself! I wanted to share what I found to save anyone else out there from ruining their Christmas cookies too! Messy cookies are just as yummy, but why put all of that work into decorating them only to have them smear?

Should you use icing or frosting to decorate a sugar cookie?

You can actually use both frosting and icing to decorate a sugar cookie. Icing and frosting are two completely different things when it comes to decorating a cookie. If you're looking for more of a hard shell, then stick with icing. If you're looking for a hard shell, plus additional decoration, then use both. 

You can use frosting alone, but it may be messier and/or take longer to get the look that you're trying to achieve with your cookies. Icing hardens quicker than frosting. To get frosting to harden, you have to place it in the freezer longer than iced cookies. However, many people find frosting to be tastier, so the choice is yours.

How do you store frosted cookies to keep cookie frosting from sticking?

The next time you decide to decorate sugar cookies with frosting or icing follow these steps below to avoid smudging or smearing your cookies:

1. Decide whether or not you want to use frosting, icing, or both. If you decide to use icing, consider using a royal icing recipe.
2. Gather supplies.
3. Bake.
4. After you've baked your cookies, let them cool. 
5. Once your cookies are cool and ready for decoration, begin decorating.
6. Freeze your cookies. If you've opted to use both frosting and icing, then freeze the cookies with the icing before frosting for optimal results. You can frost before the icing hardens, but this may be a bit messy. It's up to you. If you've done both and already frozen them with just the icing, now it's time to freeze them again with the frosting.
7. Remove cookies from the freezer and store in your container of choice. If you have to stack your cookies, keep them separated with wax paper.

Some of the Best Cookie Icing and the Best Cookie Frosting Recipes

These are some of the best non-stick icing and frosting recipes on the web:

• Sugar Cookie Frosting:  This recipe has over 1,000 reviews and close to a 5 star rating.
• Butter Icing for Sugar Cookies:  If you'd like to try a butter cream frosting flavor for your cookies, then give this recipe a try. Out of over 170 reviews, this recipe has close to a 5 star rating.
• Sugar Cookie Icing:  Out of over 2,200 reviews, this recipe has close to a 5 star rating.