12 Frosted Cookie Recipes That Disappear Fast

Cookies with frosting are the quickest way to make any get-together feel special. They look celebratory, travel well, and satisfy both kids and adults. This collection focuses on approachable recipes you can make without fuss: soft-sandwich cookies, cutouts, drop cookies, and bar-style treats, each topped with frostings that add flavor, texture, and color. Here are twelve recipes that vanish fast at parties. Make them ahead, swap extracts and toppings, and keep frosting smooth with a quick whisk!

1. Classic Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Classic sugar cookies with royal icing look fancy, but they are straightforward if you plan. Start with a sturdy dough-butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and enough flour so shapes hold. Chill the dough, roll to even thickness, and cut clean shapes. Bake until the edges are set but not deeply browned. For decorating, use royal icing made from sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder or whipped egg white plus water. Make an outline with thicker icing, then fill with thinner flood icing and use a scribe tool to remove bubbles. Let the cookies dry uncovered for several hours or overnight so the surface firms for stacking or packaging.

2. Chocolate-Glazed Sandwich Cookies

Chocolate-glazed sandwich cookies are a crowd-pleaser because they combine tender cookie shells with a creamy filling and a shiny coating. Use a sturdy but tender drop or rolled cookie; think soft cocoa or shortbread to make two matching rounds. Sandwich with a buttercream, ganache, or flavored cream filling that pairs with the chocolate glaze. For the glaze, melt semisweet chips with a splash of cream or corn syrup for shine, then dip the assembled sandwich or spoon glaze over the top. Chill briefly to set the coating so it stays glossy and smooth. These cookies travel well if you keep the glaze cool until serving.

3. Lemon-Glazed Shortbread

Lemon-glazed shortbread is a bright alternative when you want something buttery with a citrus lift. The cookie base is a classic shortbread: lots of butter, powdered sugar, and just enough flour so the cookies stay tender but hold their edges. Press or roll and cut into rectangles or rounds, then bake until faintly golden. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice until smooth; aim for a pourable glaze that sets glossy. Brush or drizzle the glaze while the cookies are warm so it adheres and shines. Finish with a little grated zest for aroma and texture.

4. Snickerdoodles with Cream Cheese Frosting

Snickerdoodles with cream cheese frosting marry warm cinnamon-sugar flavor and tangy frosting for a familiar yet new treat. Make a classic snickerdoodle dough with butter, sugar, eggs, cream of tartar or baking soda, and a generous coating of cinnamon sugar. Bake until just set; snickerdoodles benefit from a chewy center and crackled top. Once cool, top with a lightly sweetened cream cheese frosting that cuts through the sugar coating and adds richness. Pipe small dollops or spread a thin layer evenly for balance. To keep the texture right, don’t frost warm cookies; allow them to cool so the topping holds its shape.

5. Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Glaze

Red velvet cookies already stand out with their bold color, but a cream cheese glaze makes them irresistible. The cookie base combines cocoa, butter, sugar, eggs, and a hint of vinegar to mimic the classic cake flavor. Bake soft rounds that stay chewy in the center. For the glaze, whisk cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth and just pourable. Drizzle or spoon glaze over cooled cookies, letting it drip naturally for a casual look. The tangy cream cheese balances the sweetness and keeps the cookie from feeling heavy.

6. Carrot Cake Cookies with Vanilla Frosting

Carrot cake cookies bring all the flavors of the classic cake in a portable frosted form. Grated carrots, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg give the dough warmth and natural sweetness. Add chopped walnuts or raisins if you like the texture. Bake until edges set but centers stay moist. Once cool, spread with a vanilla buttercream frosting that complements the spices without overwhelming them. The creaminess pairs well with the carrot’s natural moisture.

7. Oatmeal Cookies with Maple Frosting

Oatmeal cookies with maple frosting bridge rustic and decadent. The dough uses rolled oats, brown sugar, and butter for chew and depth, with cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance flavor. Bake until edges are golden but centers still soft. The frosting is a simple mix of powdered sugar, butter, and pure maple syrup whipped until fluffy. Spread a modest layer on cooled cookies so the maple note shines without overwhelming the oats. These cookies are hearty enough to pair with coffee or tea but sweet enough to satisfy dessert cravings.

8. Funfetti Frosted Cookies

Funfetti frosted cookies bring the celebration to any table. The cookie dough is a soft sugar base studded with rainbow sprinkles. Bake until just set so the centers stay tender and the sprinkles don’t melt completely. Once cool, frost with a classic buttercream tinted with food coloring to match your event. Add more sprinkles on top to double the fun. These cookies are versatile; you can shape them into bars or rounds, or stack them for party favors. Kids especially love the color, but adults appreciate the nostalgic sweetness.

9. Pumpkin Cookies with Spiced Frosting

Pumpkin cookies with spiced frosting are a fall favorite that stay relevant year-round for anyone who loves cozy flavors. The dough mixes canned pumpkin, brown sugar, butter, and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Bake until puffed and soft, more like a cake-style cookie. Once cooled, frost with a blend of powdered sugar, butter, and a little cinnamon or pumpkin spice. The frosting adds creamy contrast to the pillowy cookie texture. For extra depth, add a splash of maple syrup to the frosting or sprinkle with crushed gingersnaps.

10. Peppermint Chocolate Cookies with White Frosting

Peppermint chocolate cookies with white frosting bring winter cheer in a simple package. Use a cocoa-rich dough flavored with peppermint extract to create soft, chewy cookies. After baking and cooling, frost with a white buttercream or cream cheese frosting that highlights the minty base. Sprinkle crushed candy canes or peppermint candies on top before the frosting sets to add crunch and color. These cookies are easy to adapt; swap white frosting for chocolate ganache if you want a deeper flavor, or add a swirl of red food coloring to the frosting for a festive effect.

11. Almond Cookies with Cherry Frosting

Almond cookies with cherry frosting feel old-fashioned but deliver bold flavor. The base uses almond flour or extract for a nutty depth that pairs beautifully with a bright fruit topping. Once baked, frost with a cherry-flavored buttercream made from cherry juice or puree blended with powdered sugar and butter. The frosting’s pale pink hue adds charm without food dye, though you can intensify it with gel if you prefer. Garnish with sliced almonds or halved maraschino cherries for a polished finish. These cookies offer a balance of sweet and nutty, and they look lovely on trays where you want a pop of color.

12. Brownie Cookies with Mocha Frosting

Brownie cookies with mocha frosting are rich enough to satisfy chocolate lovers yet easy enough for casual baking. The dough combines melted chocolate, cocoa, butter, and eggs to create fudgy rounds that crackle on top as they bake. Once cooled, spread with a mocha frosting made by whipping butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, and a splash of espresso or strong coffee. The frosting enhances the chocolate and adds complexity without bitterness. Drizzle melted chocolate or sprinkle cocoa powder for garnish. These cookies are decadent but still manageable in size, making them a smart choice for serving at gatherings where guests want indulgence without committing to a big slice of cake.