Sugar cookies have got to be one of my most liked year-round baked treats. However, a basic sugar cookie or even one with vanilla frosting can get a little boring, so sometimes I like to give mine a bit of a spicy kick, and you may find that it’s a fun variation too. This easy hot cinnamon buttercream frosting recipe is soon to be the perfect new addition to your favorite sugar cookies. The best part is that you have total control of just how much of a kick you want it to have.
*Please note that this recipe was originally shared to this website on February 10, 2012 and has since been updated to improve user experience, add video, a free printable recipe card, as well as a new photo tutorial of the process. It will continually be updated to remain relevant and shareable across the social medias.
What kind of cinnamon flavoring is in this frosting?
When I use the word “hot” or “spicy” when describing this cinnamon buttercream icing recipe…I am talking about the artificial cinnamon flavoring that you’re going to find in candies such as the spice in Red Hots, or Hot Tamales Candy (either candy is actually pretty fun to garnish or decorate your cookies with too, after you frost them).
To achieve this red hot and spicy cinnamon flavoring in my frosting recipe, I use Lorann Brand Hot Cinnamon Flavoring (it is often found in the candy making section of your local grocery store, or you can get it on Amazon here too).
Definitely make sure not to use typical baking cinnamon in this recipe, or it just won’t turn out the same.
Spicy Cinnamon Buttercream Recipe Ingredients:
The best cinnamon frosting is also super simple…it’s a basic dump and mix recipe, and there is probably only one ingredient that you don’t keep on hand all of the time (unless you make a lot of candies).
Those ingredients are:
- Salted Butter
- Powdered Sugar
- Milk
- Lorann Cinnamon Flavoring
- Food Coloring (optional)
When I am making this recipe just for home use, I omit the food coloring as often as possible (I just feel like it’s unnecessary)…however, if I do dye my frosting, I try to go the “crunchy” route and use some natural food coloring… but that’s just me. You do you.
How to make cinnamon buttercream frosting (video):
A shareable/embed friendly version of this video can also be found on my YouTube Channel, here.
Hot Cinnamon Frosting Recipe
Give your favorite sugar cookies a bit of a kick with this hot cinnamon buttercream frosting (think spicy like red hots or hot tamales candy).
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Salted Butter (room temp)
- 3 & 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Milk
- 1 to 1.5 teaspoons Lorann Brand Cinnamon Flavoring
- Food Coloring (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, powdered sugar, and milk (it takes several minutes).
- Then add one to one and a half teaspoons of Lorann Brand Cinnamon Flavoring and food coloring, if desired.
- Mix until flavoring and coloring is well incorporated.
- Use to frost your favorite sugar cookies. Can also garnish with red hots or hot tamales candies.
Notes
I prefer to use 1.5 teaspoons of Cinnamon Flavoring for this recipe. However, if you're a bit of a weenie when it comes to spice, you may want to start with 1 teaspoonful and adjust it to suit your tastes.
If not using this frosting right away, I suggest putting it in an air tight container and refrigerate it for up to a few days.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
LorAnn Cinnamon Oil SS Flavor, 1 dram bottle (.0125 fl oz - 3.7ml) 4 Pack -
Watkins Assorted Food Coloring, 1 Each Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Total Four .3 oz bottles -
Electric Hand Mixer, Handheld Mixers for Kitchen, With Beaters and Whisk Attachments for Cooking and Baking, Lightweight Handmixer Labeled "BAKE" by Rae Dunn (Sage) -
Powdered Sugar By Unpretentious Baker (4 lb) For Baking, Candy Making, Desserts -
HULISEN Biscuit Cutter Set (5 Pieces/ Set), Round Cookies Cutter with Handle, Professional Baking Dough Tools, Gift Package -
KitchenAid Classic Mixing Bowls, Set of 3, Pistachio
Nutrition Information
Yield 24 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 95Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 20mgSodium 61mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 0gSugar 7gProtein 0g
These caloric amounts are automatically estimated by a plugin on my site and should be treated as an estimate only.
That’s really all I have to share today about this yummy red hot cinnamon frosting recipe, I hope you like it as much as we do at my house.
When I make a batch of this stuff, it and the sugar cookies are gone in minutes…so you have been warned.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and supporting my endeavors to make people’s lives a little easier/better/more affordable. If you liked this post, or found it helpful in any way, please make sure to share it with your family, friends, and co-workers via social media…or you could even send them the direct link via email. Whichever way you choose to spread the love, I super appreciate it! ~Sarah
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Make sure to check out my entire Sweet Tooth Section, you won’t be disappointed.
Here are also some direct links to my other yummy sweet desserts you’re not going to want to miss:
Sugar cookies typically taste best when paired with a buttercream frosting for cookies. Buttercream icing is very versatile, and can easily be flavored or spiced however one desires.
My personal favorite way to flavor my cookie icing is to make a cinnamon frosting.
Original photo found here:
