My best friend introduced me to these during a road trip when we stopped at Crumbl specifically for their Tuesday sugar cookie special. The pink frosting looked almost too pretty to eat, piled high like buttercream roses. That combination of soft cookie with chilled, thick frosting creates a texture experience unlike any other cookie.

After moving to a rural area where Crumbl doesn’t exist, recreating these became my mission for three months of testing. I use room-temperature butter for the cookie base, real almond extract (not imitation) for authentic flavor, and cream cheese at the exact temperature for smooth frosting. Always chill the dough first, as warm dough tends to stick to everything, making rolling impossible.

Serving these straight from the refrigerator maintains that signature Crumbl experience. Some people let them sit five minutes for a softer bite, and if you have kids like me, they’ll lick all the frosting off first, then eat the cookie separately.

What Makes These Special

The chilled serving temperature completely transforms texture – frosting becomes almost fudge-like while the cookie stays tender underneath. Unlike traditional sugar cookies, these aren’t crispy anywhere, maintaining softness throughout.

The almond extract in both the cookie and the frosting creates complexity beyond basic vanilla. That thick frosting layer equals the cookie thickness, making these half cookie, half frosting. The pink color might seem silly, but it triggers happy memories and makes them instantly recognizable.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1¼ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Pink Frosting:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• Pink food coloring
• 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• Electric mixer (stand or hand)
• Large mixing bowls
• Rolling pin
• 3-inch round cookie cutter
• Baking sheets (2)
• Parchment paper
• Offset spatula for frosting

How to make

Step 1

Make dough: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg, vanilla, and almond extract.

Step 2

Add dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients until just combined.

Step 3

Chill dough: Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Step 4

Preheat oven: Heat to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.

Step 5

Roll cookies: On a floured surface, roll dough to ½ inch thickness. Cut into circles using a 3-inch round cutter.

Step 6

Bake: Place cookies on prepared sheets with 2 inches between. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are just barely golden. Centers should look underdone.

Step 7

Cool completely: Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

Step 8

Make frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, extracts, and pink coloring. Add cream for spreading consistency.

Step 9

Frost cookies: Spread a thick layer of frosting on completely cooled cookies. Create a smooth top using an offset spatula.

Step 10

Chill cookies: Refrigerate frosted cookies at least 1 hour before serving. Serve chilled for an authentic Crumbl experience.

Tips for Perfect Chilled Sugar Cookies

• Dough Temperature Crucial: Too warm creates a sticky mess, too cold cracks when rolling. Let refrigerated dough sit 10 minutes before rolling.
• Even Thickness: Use rolling pin guides or rulers for consistent ½ inch. Uneven cookies bake differently, ruining texture.
• Don’t Overbake: Remove when edges barely turn golden. Overbaked cookies become crispy, defeating the purpose.
• Cool completely: Never frost warm cookies ever. Heat melts frosting into puddles, destroying the appearance.

Optional Ingredients

• Lemon zest in cookie dough
• Vanilla bean paste upgrade
• Sprinkles on the frosting top
• Edible glitter for sparkle
• Different extract flavors (rose, orange)
• White chocolate chips in dough

How to Enjoy Crumbl Chilled Sugar Cookies

I like eating these straight from the fridge with hot coffee, creating a temperature contrast that highlights both elements perfectly. Breaking them in half shows that satisfying frosting layer, though some people bite straight through, experiencing all layers simultaneously. My mother-in-law discovered dipping them in hot chocolate melts the frosting slightly, creating an almost fondue-like experience.

These cookies become event stars at baby showers with blue or pink frosting, birthday parties with matching color themes, or holidays with appropriate decorations. Their neat appearance photographs beautifully for social media, especially stacked, showing those thick frosting layers. Teachers receive these in clear boxes tied with ribbons for end-of-year gifts.

Variations and Substitutions

Lemon Version: Replace almond with lemon extract throughout. Add fresh lemon zest to the cookie and frosting. Creates a bright citrus explosion perfectly. Summer parties request these constantly.

Chocolate Base: Replace ½ cup flour with cocoa powder. Keep pink frosting for contrast. Chocolate-covered strawberry vibes achieved. Valentine’s Day is perfect absolutely.

Funfetti Style: Add rainbow sprinkles to cookie dough. Top with extra sprinkles always. Birthday cake in cookie form. Kids go absolutely crazy.

Maple Cream: Use maple extract and brown butter. Frosting gets a maple syrup addition. Fall flavors in chilled form. Thanksgiving dessert table winner.

Gluten-Free: Cup-for-cup flour replacement works beautifully. Add xanthan gum if missing. Texture remarkably similar was achieved. Celiac friends are finally included.

Vegan Chilled: Vegan butter and cream cheese exist. Flax egg replaces regular eggs successfully. Plant milk for consistency adjustment. Everyone enjoys these together.

Mint Chocolate: Peppermint extract in green frosting. Chocolate cookie base preferred here. Thin Mint cookie upgraded. Girl Scout leaders were impressed.

Coffee Lovers: Espresso powder in cookie dough. Coffee extract in frosting, too. Tiramisu-inspired cookie created. Adults only version definitely.

How to Store

Store unfrosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to five days. A layer of parchment prevents sticking and breaking. Frosted cookies must stay refrigerated in a single layer up to one week maximum.

For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cookies for three months, thaw completely before frosting fresh. Frosted cookies can freeze, but the texture changes when thawed. Best practice involves freezing components separately, then assembling. Always serve chilled regardless of storage method.

The Science Behind Chilling

Refrigeration solidifies the butter in frosting, creating that signature thick, almost chewy texture impossible at room temperature. Cold temperatures mute sweetness perception, making these taste less sugary despite high sugar content. The cookie’s gluten relaxes during chilling, preventing toughness while maintaining structure. Flavor compounds in almond extract become more pronounced when cold, similar to how ice cream flavors intensify.

This temperature technique explains why Crumbl stores them in refrigerated cases rather than display counters. Room temperature versions taste completely different – still good, but missing that special quality. Some food scientists believe cold temperatures trigger nostalgia connections to birthday cake experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why pink frosting specifically? Crumbl’s signature color creates brand recognition. Any color works but pink triggers that authentic memory.

Can I skip the chilling? You can but they become completely different cookies. Chilling defines this recipe’s uniqueness entirely.

My frosting won’t smooth – help? Temperature issues usually. Let sit 5 minutes then rebeat with splash of cream.

Regular cookie cutters work? Yes! Hearts, stars, any shape works. Circles just match Crumbl’s classic look.

How thick should frosting be? Aim for ¼ to ½ inch thick. Should equal or exceed cookie thickness ideally.

Why almond not vanilla? Almond extract creates that signature Crumbl flavor. Vanilla works but tastes different completely.