Crumbl sugar cookie recipe

Have you ever found yourself craving those thick, pillowy-soft Crumbl sugar cookies with their signature pink almond frosting, but the nearest location is miles away? You’re not alone. These Instagram-famous cookies have captured hearts (and taste buds) across the nation, leaving countless home bakers desperately searching for the perfect crumbl sugar cookie recipe.

After months of testing, tweaking, and taste-testing (the hardest part of my job!), I’ve cracked the code to create the most authentic copycat Crumbl sugar cookie that rivals the original. This recipe delivers those same thick, tender cookies topped with the iconic pink almond buttercream that made Crumbl a household name.

What makes this recipe special? It’s not just another sugar cookie with pink frosting. I’ve reverse-engineered every element—from the specific flour blend that creates that perfect chewy-yet-tender texture to the exact shade of pink and almond intensity in the frosting. Get ready to impress your family, friends, and Instagram followers with bakery-quality results from your own kitchen.

Why This Crumbl Sugar Cookie Recipe Works: The Science Behind Perfect Cookies

After analyzing dozens of attempts and comparing them to the real deal, here’s what makes this easy Crumbl sugar cookie recipe the most authentic copycat you’ll find:

1. The Cake Flour Secret

Most sugar cookie recipes use all-purpose flour, but Crumbl’s signature texture comes from a blend that includes cake flour. This lower-protein flour creates those tender, almost cake-like cookies that melt in your mouth while maintaining structure.

2. Temperature Control is Everything

The key to preventing spread and achieving that perfect thick profile lies in proper chilling and precise oven temperature. My method ensures your cookies bake up tall and stay perfectly round.

3. The Almond Extract Balance

The Crumbl almond frosting recipe isn’t just about the color—it’s about that distinctive almond flavor that complements the vanilla base without overwhelming it. The ratio I’ve developed hits that sweet spot perfectly.

Ingredients List: Precision Matters

For the Sugar Cookies:

For the Pink Almond Frosting:

Expert Tips on Ingredients:

Flour Blend Alternative: If you don’t have cake flour, substitute with ¾ cup all-purpose flour + 2 tablespoons cornstarch, whisked together.

Almond Extract Sources: Nielsen-Massey and Simply Organic offer the best pure almond extracts. Avoid imitation—it tastes artificial and won’t give you that authentic Crumbl flavor.

Food Coloring: Wilton or AmeriColor gel food coloring works best. Liquid coloring can affect frosting consistency.

Equipment Needed

• Stand or hand mixer
• Large mixing bowls (2)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Kitchen scale (highly recommended)
• 2 large baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• 2-inch cookie scoop or ice cream scoop
• Wire cooling racks
• Piping bag with round tip (or zip-lock bag)
• Fine-mesh sieve (for powdered sugar)

Step-by-Step Crumbl Sugar Cookie Recipe: Master the Technique

Preparing the Cookie Dough

1. Prep Your Workspace (5 minutes) Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This temperature works for conventional ovens—reduce by 25°F if using convection.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar (3-4 minutes) In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This takes longer than most recipes suggest—really let your mixer work here. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color and increased in volume.

3. Add Wet Ingredients (1 minute) Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Scrape down bowl sides as needed.

4. Combine Dry Ingredients (2 minutes) In a separate bowl, whisk together both flours, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution and prevents overmixing later.

5. Form the Dough (1-2 minutes) Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Don’t overmix—this develops gluten and creates tough cookies.

6. Chill the Dough (2+ hours) Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. This step is crucial—it prevents spreading and intensifies flavors.

Baking Perfect Cookies

7. Shape the Cookies (5 minutes) Using a 2-inch scoop, portion dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. These cookies spread more than you’d expect, so give them room.

8. Bake to Perfection (10-12 minutes) Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just set but centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll continue cooking on the hot pan. Don’t overbake—this is the #1 mistake that leads to hard cookies.

9. Cool Completely (20 minutes) Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. They must be completely cool before frosting or the buttercream will melt.

The Iconic Pink Almond Frosting: A Recipe Within a Recipe

This Crumbl almond frosting recipe is what truly sets these cookies apart. Here’s how to nail it:

Frosting Instructions

1. Prepare Your Butter (Important!) Ensure butter is at perfect room temperature—it should give slightly when pressed but not be soft or melty.

2. Sift Powdered Sugar Sift powdered sugar to eliminate lumps. This extra step ensures silky-smooth frosting.

3. Cream the Base (2-3 minutes) Beat butter until light and fluffy—this creates the foundation for perfect texture.

4. Add Sugar Gradually (3-4 minutes) Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Start on low speed to prevent sugar clouds, then increase speed.

5. Flavor and Color (1-2 minutes) Add almond extract, salt, and 2 tablespoons of cream. Beat until smooth. Add pink food coloring drop by drop until you achieve that signature Crumbl pink—it should be vibrant but not neon.

6. Adjust Consistency Add remaining cream as needed. The frosting should hold its shape when piped but spread smoothly when applied.

Frosting Application Tips

• Use a piping bag with a large round tip for authentic-looking swirls
• Start from the outside edge and spiral inward
• Apply generous amounts—Crumbl doesn’t skimp on frosting!

Crumbl Sugar Cookie Recipe Tips for Success & Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

“My cookies spread too much!”

• Dough wasn’t chilled long enough (minimum 2 hours)
• Butter was too warm when mixing
• Oven temperature too low

“Cookies turned out too hard or cakey!”

• Overbaked—watch for just-set edges
• Too much flour (weigh ingredients if possible)
• Overmixed the dough

“Frosting is too runny!”

• Butter too warm—chill briefly and re-beat
• Added too much cream—add more powdered sugar

“Frosting too stiff!”

• Add cream 1 teaspoon at a time
• Ensure butter was properly softened

“Can’t get perfectly round cookies!”

• Use a cookie scoop for uniform sizing
• Chill shaped dough for 15 minutes before baking
• Don’t press down on dough balls

Storing Your Homemade Crumbl Sugar Cookie Recipe Results

Storing Baked Cookies

• Unfrosted: Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week
• Frosted: Store in single layers with parchment between layers, refrigerate up to 5 days
• Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture

Freezing Options

• Cookie Dough: Freeze shaped dough balls on baking sheets, then transfer to freezer bags. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to bake time
• Baked Cookies: Freeze unfrosted cookies up to 3 months. Thaw and frost before serving
• Frosting: Freeze in airtight container up to 1 month. Thaw and re-whip before using

Variations to Try

Small Batch Version

Cut all ingredients in half for 8-10 cookies—perfect for testing or small households.

Flavor Variations

• Classic Vanilla: Replace almond extract with vanilla in frosting
• Lemon Twist: Add lemon zest to cookies and lemon extract to frosting
• Strawberry: Use strawberry extract and pink coloring for a fruity version

Pro tip: Master this base recipe first before trying variations—it’s your foundation for success!

The Final Result: Instagram-Worthy Perfection

When done correctly, these cookies should be:

• Thick and soft with slightly crisp edges
• Tender crumb that’s almost cake-like
• Generous frosting with that signature pink color
• Perfect almond flavor that’s not overwhelming
• Bakery appearance that rivals the original

Your Turn: Make It Happen!

Ready to create your own Crumbl magic? This copycat Crumbl sugar cookie recipe has been tested dozens of times to ensure consistent, delicious results. The key is following each step precisely—from the chilling time to the frosting consistency.

Did you make this recipe? I’d love to see your creations! Drop a comment below with your results, and don’t forget to rate the recipe. Share your photos on Instagram and tag @yourbakinghandle—I feature the best recreations in my stories!

Want more copycat recipes? Check out my [Famous Bakery Copycats series] for more restaurant and bakery favorites you can make at home.

Printable Recipe Card

Crumbl Sugar Cookies with Pink Almond Frosting

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 2+ hours chilling)
Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Yield: 16 large cookies
Difficulty: Intermediate

Ingredients

[Full ingredient list as above]

Instructions

[Condensed step-by-step instructions]

Notes

• Chilling dough is essential for proper texture
• Don’t overbake—cookies continue cooking on hot pan
• Frosting consistency should be pipeable but spreadable
• Store frosted cookies in refrigerator

Nutrition per cookie: Approximately 285 calories, 12g fat, 44g carbs, 3g protein

This recipe delivers bakery-quality results that will have everyone asking for your secret. The combination of proper technique, quality ingredients, and attention to detail creates an authentic copycat that satisfies those Crumbl cravings any time.