Sugar Cookie Cups Recipe
If you’ve never experienced the joy of biting into a perfectly sweet, buttery, and playfully decorated treat, let me introduce you to Sugar Cookie Cups. Imagine everything you love about classic sugar cookies — that tender crumb, a burst of vanilla, a whiff of almond — but transformed into adorable, bite-sized cups overflowing with luscious cream cheese frosting. They’re irresistibly fun to make, a dream to eat, and the perfect centerpiece for any celebration or cozy night in. You’ll want to keep this recipe in your back pocket for bake sales, parties, or just because you deserve a little extra sweetness in your day!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Sugar Cookie Cups is all about simplicity meeting showstopping results. Every ingredient in this list plays its part for taste, texture, or eye-catching color, taking these mini treats from everyday to unforgettable with just a few pantry staples.
- Salted butter (3/4 cup, softened): Adds a rich, creamy backbone and helps the cups hold their shape while baking.
- Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Lends sweetness and helps achieve that signature light, golden color.
- Large egg (1): Binds the dough together and gives the cookie its soft, chewy center.
- Vanilla extract (1 1/2 teaspoons): Provides fragrant, floral notes that elevate the cookie flavor.
- Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon): A dash for nutty depth—you’ll notice the difference!
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The structural hero that keeps your cookie cups sturdy yet tender.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Gives a little lift, making sure the cups aren’t too dense.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Works together with the powder to create a light, airy texture.
- Sprinkles: The playful finishing touch; add your favorite colors or shapes for any occasion.
- Cream cheese (2 ounces, softened): Brings a delicious tang to the creamy frosting.
- Powdered sugar (3 cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting to silky-smooth perfection.
- Butter (1/4 cup): Makes the frosting irresistibly rich and creamy.
- Milk (2 tablespoons): Adjusts frosting consistency, so it’s just the right texture for piping.
- Vanilla extract (1/4 teaspoon): Adds another layer of sweet aroma to the frosting.
- Pink or red food coloring gel (optional): For a pop of color, perfect for festive gatherings or themed parties.
How to Make Sugar Cookie Cups
Step 1: Prepare Your Muffin Pans
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and give two regular muffin pans a generous coating of nonstick cooking spray. This step guarantees your Sugar Cookie Cups pop out easily, keeping their crisp, golden shape intact.
Step 2: Cream Together Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, using either a hand mixer or a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for a few minutes until the mixture looks fluffy and pale—this is what creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Take a moment to scrape down the sides so everything gets fully mixed.
Step 3: Mix in Egg and Extracts
Add your egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the fluffy butter mixture. Beat again until everything is fully incorporated. The extracts infuse every bite with those classic sugar cookie flavors you know and love.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly combined, giving your cookie cups their signature lightness.
Step 5: Make the Dough
Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Try not to over-mix at this stage—just blend until the dough comes together to keep your cookies tender.
Step 6: Shape the Cookie Cups
Scoop about two tablespoons of dough for each muffin cup, pressing it evenly across the bottom and halfway up the sides with your fingers. This creates that perfect pocket for your dreamy frosting. Take your time here—the more even, the better!
Step 7: Bake and Shape the Cups
Slide your pans into the oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and just turning gold. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 15 minutes. While they’re still warm, use the back of a tablespoon or the end of a round spice jar to gently press down the centers, forming a little well for the frosting. Let the cups cool completely before filling.
Step 8: Whip Up the Frosting
While the cookie cups are cooling, make your decadent cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. If you’re in the mood for color, blend in a bit of pink or red food coloring gel. Adjust the milk or powdered sugar as needed until it’s thick and holds stiff peaks—it should be easy to pipe or dollop without running.
Step 9: Fill and Decorate Your Sugar Cookie Cups
Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star tip, or simply use a spoon to fill each cooled cookie cup with a generous swirl. The final flourish: a sprinkle of your favorite colorful sprinkles for extra joy and crunch. Now—enjoy every bite!
How to Serve Sugar Cookie Cups
Garnishes
Go wild with the toppings! Classic rainbow sprinkles bring a burst of color, but you can tailor your Sugar Cookie Cups for any occasion—add holiday-themed sprinkles, tiny chocolate chips, or a dusting of edible glitter for that extra wow factor.
Side Dishes
These sweet bites shine on their own, but if you’re building a dessert table, try serving them alongside fresh berries, a platter of fruit, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Their creamy centers pair beautifully with bright, tart sides.
Creative Ways to Present
Hosting a party or bake sale? Arrange Sugar Cookie Cups on a cupcake stand or tiered tray for a playful display. Place each cup in a mini cupcake liner for easy sharing, or set out a decorate-your-own station with bowls of different frostings and toppings for interactive fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store your Sugar Cookie Cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and perfectly soft for up to four days, keeping their cheerful flavors and creamy centers intact.
Freezing
Sugar Cookie Cups freeze surprisingly well—just place the un-frosted cups in a freezer-safe container and store for up to two months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw them at room temperature, then whip up the frosting fresh and decorate as desired.
Reheating
If you enjoy your cookies warm (who doesn’t?), you can microwave just the cookie cup for about 5 seconds before filling. For frosted cups, let them come to room temperature naturally so the frosting stays fluffy and the texture is just right.
FAQs
Can I make Sugar Cookie Cups without a muffin pan?
A muffin pan really helps give the cups their adorable shape, but in a pinch, try using silicone baking molds or even shaping small balls of dough with your hands and pressing wells in the center before baking on a baking sheet. Just watch the baking time—they may bake a bit faster.
Can I use a different extract if I don’t like almond?
Absolutely! Almond extract provides a classic bakery flavor, but you can leave it out or substitute with more vanilla, lemon, or even coconut extract for a fun twist.
What food coloring works best for the frosting?
Gel food coloring is best—it provides vivid color without thinning the frosting. If you use liquid food coloring, add it drop by drop and adjust the powdered sugar as needed to keep the frosting thick.
How do I keep my cookie cups from sticking?
Make sure to generously grease every nook and cranny of your muffin pan before adding the dough. Letting the cups cool fully before removing also helps them pop out without breaking.
Can I double the recipe?
Definitely! This recipe is easy to scale up if you’re baking for a crowd. Simply double every ingredient, and you’ll have plenty of Sugar Cookie Cups to share (or to squirrel away for later).
Final Thoughts
There’s something so joyous about sharing a platter of Sugar Cookie Cups—every bite is soft, sweet, and full of cheer. The best part? They’re nearly as fun to make as they are to eat. Give this recipe a try and watch your friends and family light up with delight!
Print
Sugar Cookie Cups Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookie cups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and fun sugar cookie cups filled with a creamy frosting, perfect for any occasion or celebration.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 3/4 cup salted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Sprinkles
Frosting:
- 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink or red food coloring gel (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease 2 regular muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Mix in the egg and extracts until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Form Dough: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Shape Cookie Cups: Press 2 tablespoons of dough into each cupcake pan, halfway up the sides.
- Bake: Bake for 12 minutes, then cool and shape into cups.
- Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, add powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and food coloring. Adjust consistency with more milk or sugar.
- Decorate: Fill cookie cups with frosting using a piping bag and top with sprinkles. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can customize the frosting color for different events or holidays.
- Ensure the cookie cups are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Feel free to experiment with different extract flavors in the cookie dough.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: sugar cookie cups, frosting, dessert, cookie recipe
