Cookie Dough Frosting
This Cookie Dough Frosting recipe is a delightful treat that captures the essence of chocolate chip cookie dough! Perfect for frosting cakes, cookies, or even topping brownies, this easy-to-make buttercream can be prepared in just 15 minutes. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or simply indulging yourself, this frosting will elevate any dessert to a new level of deliciousness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Preparation: Ready in under 15 minutes, this frosting is perfect for spontaneous baking sessions.
- Versatile Use: Ideal for cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and cookies—enhance your favorite desserts effortlessly.
- Irresistible Flavor: Enjoy the rich taste of cookie dough without any raw eggs or worry about food safety.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with common pantry staples, making it accessible for everyone.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by kids and adults alike, it adds a fun twist to any dessert table.
Tools and Preparation
To create your delicious Cookie Dough Frosting, you’ll need some essential tools to make the process smooth and enjoyable.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Importance of Each Tool
- Stand mixer or hand mixer: This tool makes creaming the butter and sugar effortless and ensures a fluffy texture.
- Spatula: Essential for folding in ingredients gently without deflating the mixture.
- Mixing bowl: A sturdy bowl keeps everything contained while you mix your ingredients together.

Ingredients
For the Frosting
- 1 cup softened butter (2 sticks) (salted or unsalted, see notes)
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour (baked and cooled)
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp milk or cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
How to Make Cookie Dough Frosting
Step 1: Prepare the Flour
Start by baking the flour at 350℉ for 3-5 minutes or microwaving it for 1 minute. Stir every 15 seconds. This step kills any bacteria present in raw flour. Allow it to cool completely before adding it to the other ingredients.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In your stand mixer or using a hand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, salt, and brown sugar on medium-high speed for about 2-3 minutes until it’s very light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Powdered Sugar
Turn off the mixer and add the powdered sugar. Mix on low until incorporated. Once combined, increase to medium speed and blend for an additional minute.
Step 4: Incorporate Flour
Add the cooled flour into the mixture. Start mixing on low until it’s fully incorporated. Then switch to medium speed for another minute.
Step 5: Add Milk and Vanilla
Pour in the milk or cream along with vanilla extract. Mix on low until combined; then increase to medium speed and mix for another minute until light and fluffy.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Using a spatula, gently fold in the mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout your Cookie Dough Frosting.
Now your delicious frosting is ready to use! Spread it generously atop your favorite desserts or enjoy it straight from the bowl!
How to Serve Cookie Dough Frosting
Cookie Dough Frosting is a versatile topping that can enhance various desserts. Whether you’re filling cakes, frosting cupcakes, or spreading it on brownies, this delicious frosting adds a delightful touch. Here are some creative ways to serve it.
On Cupcakes
- Classic Vanilla Cupcakes: Top your vanilla cupcakes with a generous swirl of cookie dough frosting for a delightful treat.
- Chocolate Cupcakes: Pair rich chocolate cupcakes with cookie dough frosting for a heavenly combination.
As a Cake Filling
- Layer Cakes: Use cookie dough frosting between layers of cake for an indulgent filling that everyone will love.
- Sheet Cakes: Spread a thick layer of frosting on top of sheet cakes for an easy yet impressive dessert.
With Brownies
- Frosted Brownies: Spread cookie dough frosting over freshly baked brownies for added richness and flavor.
- Brownie Sundaes: Layer brownie pieces, cookie dough frosting, and ice cream for an indulgent sundae.
In Dessert Tacos
- Taco Shells: Fill mini taco shells with cookie dough frosting and top with sprinkles for fun dessert tacos.
- Fruit Cups: Serve frosting in small cups alongside fresh fruits like strawberries or bananas for dipping.
How to Perfect Cookie Dough Frosting
Creating the perfect Cookie Dough Frosting is all about getting the right texture and flavor. Follow these tips to achieve that creamy, delicious finish.
- Use Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is softened at room temperature to ensure a smooth mix.
- Bake the Flour: Always bake or microwave the flour before using it in this recipe to eliminate any potential bacteria.
- Adjust Consistency: If your frosting is too thick, add a little more milk or cream until you reach the desired consistency.
- Mix Well: Ensure that you mix each ingredient thoroughly before adding the next one for even distribution of flavor and texture.
- Chill Before Serving: If your frosting is too soft, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm it up before spreading.
- Decorate Creatively: Get creative with toppings like crushed cookies or additional chocolate chips for added texture and visual appeal.
Best Side Dishes for Cookie Dough Frosting
While Cookie Dough Frosting shines on its own as a dessert topping, pairing it with complementary sides can enhance your dessert experience. Here are some delightful options.
- Fresh Fruit Salad: A light fruit salad adds freshness and balances the sweetness of the frosting.
- Ice Cream: Pairing cookie dough frosting with vanilla or chocolate ice cream creates a decadent dessert bowl.
- Pound Cake Slices: Serve slices of pound cake alongside dollops of cookie dough frosting for simple yet satisfying bites.
- Cookies: Offer plain sugar or oatmeal cookies as dippers for an interactive dessert experience.
- Cheesecake Bites: Mini cheesecake bites provide a creamy contrast to the sweet, rich frosting.
- Granola Parfaits: Layer granola with yogurt and cookie dough frosting in parfait cups for a fun twist on brunch or dessert.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Cookie Dough Frosting, avoiding common mistakes can ensure a smooth and delicious outcome. Here are some pitfalls to watch for.
- Using unbaked flour: Always bake or microwave your flour before using it in the frosting. This step kills any bacteria and ensures safety.
- Not creaming the butter enough: Creaming the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes is crucial. This process incorporates air, making your frosting light and fluffy.
- Adding too much powdered sugar at once: Gradually mix in the powdered sugar on low speed. This prevents a sugary cloud from forming and helps achieve a smooth consistency.
- Skipping cooling time for baked flour: Let baked flour cool completely before adding it. Warm flour will melt the butter, affecting the texture of your frosting.
- Overmixing after adding chocolate chips: When folding in chocolate chips, do it gently to avoid breaking them apart and maintain that delightful cookie dough texture.

Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Keep it away from strong odors to preserve flavor.
Freezing Cookie Dough Frosting
- Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Label with the date for easy tracking.
Reheating Cookie Dough Frosting
- Oven: Preheat to 200°F (93°C) and warm covered for about 10 minutes until slightly softer.
- Microwave: Heat in 10-second intervals on low power, stirring between each interval until soft.
- Stovetop: Use a double boiler method, stirring gently until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Cookie Dough Frosting that can help clarify any doubts.
What makes Cookie Dough Frosting different from regular frosting?
Cookie Dough Frosting has a unique flavor profile that mimics the taste of raw cookie dough, enriched with brown sugar and mini chocolate chips.
Can I make Cookie Dough Frosting vegan?
Yes! Substitute the butter with plant-based alternatives and use non-dairy milk for a vegan version of this delicious frosting.
How can I customize my Cookie Dough Frosting?
You can customize this frosting by adding different flavors like almond extract or incorporating nuts for added texture.
How long does Cookie Dough Frosting last?
When stored properly in an airtight container, this frosting lasts up to one week in the refrigerator or three months in the freezer.
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even butterscotch chips based on your preference.
Final Thoughts
Cookie Dough Frosting is an indulgent treat that brings joy to cakes, cookies, and cupcakes alike. Its creamy texture and rich flavor make it versatile for various desserts. Don’t hesitate to customize it with your favorite mix-ins or flavors!
Cookie Dough Frosting
Indulge in the delightful creaminess of Cookie Dough Frosting, a luscious treat that captures the essence of your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough—without any raw eggs! This easy-to-make frosting can elevate cakes, cupcakes, and brownies in just 15 minutes. Perfect for celebrations or simply treating yourself, its rich flavor and smooth texture make it a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults alike. With simple pantry ingredients like butter and powdered sugar, you can create this irresistible frosting to add a fun twist to your desserts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: About 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup softened butter
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour (baked and cooled)
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp milk or cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Bake the flour at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or microwave for 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds. Allow it to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, salt, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed and then mix on medium for another minute.
- Incorporate the cooled flour on low speed, then increase to medium for one more minute.
- Mix in milk and vanilla extract until fluffy.
- Gently fold in chocolate chips with a spatula.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp (30g)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
