Aunt Lois’ wedding cake frosting is perfect for cut‑out cookies and equally delightful on cakes. Luscious, creamy, sweet, and incredibly easy to make, this frosting works for decorating cookies, coating cakes, or even as a dip for crackers when you have leftovers.
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This is one of those family heirloom recipes we make often—especially around the holidays when cookies and frosting are in full swing.
For the cut‑out cookies shown in the photos, use a sturdy sugar cookie recipe made for decorating.
History
This frosting came from my grandma’s first neighbor, a close family friend everyone called Aunt Lois. Her simple, reliable recipe quickly became a favorite and has been passed down through the family.
Aunt Lois
I never met Aunt Lois, but I grew up eating this frosting. My mom still makes it every Valentine’s Day, and I always look forward to the beautifully frosted cookies she gives me.
Great cookies to use this frosting
This frosting works well with a variety of cookies, from classic sugar cut‑outs to sandwich cookies. It pipes and spreads nicely and accepts food coloring evenly, so you can create multiple colors for decorating.
Leftovers
If you have extra frosting, try it on a Wheat Thin for a sweet‑and‑salty snack. Spread a thin layer on a cracker for a surprising treat—one of our family’s favorite ways to enjoy leftovers.
Photo above:
Please forgive the older photo—this was taken at a cookie decorating party years ago. We had a wonderful time decorating, eating, and visiting with family.
Cookie decorating party
Each Christmas we used to host a cookie decorating party. We’d bake a big batch of cut‑out cookies and make several tubs of frosting in different colors. With sprinkles, sugars, and decorations laid out, everyone would spend the evening decorating and sampling cookies—such a treasured family memory.
Photo above:
Another old shot from the party—here are some of the finished cookies. They’re always a hit!
Blue frosting
A humorous family rule: Grandma only allowed the blue frosting to be used for Santa’s eye. When Grandma wasn’t watching, my mom would frost everything blue—something that still makes us laugh.
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Aunt Lois’ Frosting Recipe
Aunt Lois’ Frosting
This frosting is luscious, creamy, sweet, and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 4 cups powdered sugar, plus more as needed
- 3/4 cup shortening
- 1 unbeaten egg
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Food coloring, as desired
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Beat thoroughly with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add additional powdered sugar, a little at a time, until you reach the consistency you want for spreading or piping.
- Color as desired with food coloring and use immediately, or store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Nutrition (estimate)
Calories: 3300 kcal (estimated per full batch). Nutritional values are approximate and will vary with brands and portion sizes.