Delicious Frosted Mini Sugar Cookie Bites: Your Ultimate Copycat Swig Cookie Recipe
Prepare to fall in love with these adorable and incredibly delicious Frosted Mini Sugar Cookie Bites! These two-bite soft sugar cookies are an absolute delight, perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply indulging yourself, this easy-to-follow recipe guarantees a batch of tender, buttery cookies topped with a dreamy, creamy frosting that’s simply irresistible. Forget traveling to Utah for a famous Swig Cookie; now you can recreate that iconic taste right in your own kitchen!
Replicating the magic of Swig Cookies has never been easier, thanks to this simple and accurate copycat Swig cookie recipe. You’ll be amazed at how effortlessly you can bake these soft, buttery cookies, complete with their signature rough edges and a generous dollop of luscious frosting. This isn’t just a recipe to stash away; it’s one you’ll want to revisit frequently throughout the year, whether for festive gatherings, holiday celebrations, or simply to treat yourself to something truly special. Get ready to bake, share, and savor every single bite of these homemade mini sugar cookie treasures.
What Exactly Are Swig Cookies?
For those unfamiliar, Swig Cookies are a beloved culinary sensation originating from Utah. Swig N’ Sweets, a popular soda shop chain based in Utah, has become renowned for its fantastic custom drinks and, perhaps even more so, for its exquisite sugar cookies. These aren’t just any sugar cookies; they offer a unique experience, best described as a delightful cross between a traditional sugar cookie and a flaky shortbread. This fusion results in a cookie that is wonderfully buttery, slightly crumbly, and exceptionally soft, often characterized by its distinctive, slightly irregular or “rough” edges. Topped with their signature creamy frosting, these cookies are transformed into an utterly irresistible treat that has captured the hearts (and taste buds) of many.
Our copycat recipe aims to perfectly capture that distinctive Swig flavor and texture. The secret lies in the precise combination of ingredients and baking technique, which we’ll delve into shortly. Achieving that perfect balance of sweetness, richness, and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb is key to replicating the authentic Swig experience at home.
Why Choose Mini Sugar Cookie Bites?
While full-sized sugar cookies are wonderful, making them in mini “bite-sized” portions offers several advantages. Firstly, they are incredibly cute and visually appealing, making them perfect for dessert tables, party platters, or as thoughtful homemade gifts. Their small size makes them easy to handle and enjoy, reducing mess, especially for children. Secondly, mini cookies offer excellent portion control, allowing you to savor a sweet treat without overindulging, or giving you an excuse to try a few different flavors! They bake faster than their larger counterparts, saving you time in the kitchen, which is always a bonus when you’re preparing for an event. Plus, there’s something inherently charming about a tiny, perfectly frosted cookie that makes them feel extra special.
Essential Ingredients for Your Mini Sugar Cookies
Creating these delightful mini sugar cookies requires a precise blend of ingredients to achieve that signature soft, buttery texture and rich flavor. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need for the cookie dough:
- Butter: You’ll need 1 cup (two sticks) of softened unsalted butter. Using softened butter is crucial as it creams more easily with sugar, incorporating air for a light and tender cookie texture. It provides the foundational richness and flavor.
- Shortening: Adding ¾ cup of butter-flavored Crisco shortening is a game-changer for these cookies. Shortening has a higher melting point than butter, which helps the cookies hold their shape better while baking and contributes to that desired flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture that is characteristic of Swig cookies. It also enhances the richness without adding extra moisture, preventing a cake-like crumb.
- Sugars: We use a combination of 1 ¼ cups of granulated sugar and ¾ cup of powdered sugar. Granulated sugar provides sweetness and a slight crispness to the edges, while powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) contributes to a softer, more delicate crumb. This blend ensures a perfectly sweet and tender cookie.
- Milk: Just 2 tablespoons of milk are needed to help bring the dough together, ensuring it’s adequately moistened without becoming sticky or tough. Any type of milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work.
- Eggs: Two large eggs act as a binding agent, holding the dough ingredients together, adding richness, and contributing to the cookie’s structure and chewiness. Ensure they are at room temperature for better incorporation.
- Leavening Agents: A combination of ½ teaspoon of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar is essential. Baking soda provides lift, while cream of tartar reacts with the baking soda to create a soft, slightly chewy texture and helps stabilize the dough, preventing excessive spread.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt or table salt is used to balance the sweetness and naturally enhance all the other flavors in your cookie dough, making them taste even more delicious.
- Flour: The structural base of these cookies is 5 ½ cups of all-purpose flour. It’s important to measure flour correctly (spoon and level, don’t scoop directly from the bag) to avoid a dense or dry cookie.
For the Irresistible Creamy Frosting, You Will Need:
No Swig-style cookie is complete without its signature frosting. This creamy, slightly tangy topping perfectly complements the buttery cookies.
- Butter: ½ cup (one stick) of softened unsalted butter provides the rich, smooth base for your frosting, ensuring a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Sour Cream: 2 tablespoons of sour cream are key to achieving the distinctive creamy texture and a subtle, delightful tang that cuts through the sweetness, balancing the flavors beautifully.
- Powdered Sugar: You’ll need 4 cups of powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) to create a smooth, sweet, and pipeable frosting. Sifting it is recommended to prevent lumps.
- Vanilla Extract or Paste: For a classic flavor, use 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The original article also suggests 2 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste, which offers a more intense vanilla flavor and flecks of vanilla bean. Alternatively, for a bright citrus twist, ½ teaspoon of lemon extract can be used.
- Food Coloring: This is entirely optional, but a few drops of food coloring can transform your frosting into any hue you desire, perfect for matching holiday themes or party decor.
- Milk: Approximately 1-2 tablespoons of milk will be needed to adjust the frosting to your perfect desired consistency. Add it gradually, a teaspoon at a time, until the frosting is smooth and spreadable or pipeable.
How to Make Delicious Mini Sugar Cookie Bites: Step-by-Step
Follow these detailed instructions to create your own batch of delightful mini sugar cookie bites:
- Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking, making cleanup a breeze.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), combine the softened butter, butter-flavored shortening, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and milk. Cream these ingredients together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, typically 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the two eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated into the butter mixture. Ensure the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. This step ensures that the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, leading to consistent results in your cookies.
- Integrate Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.
- Form Cookie Dough Balls: Scoop the dough into small balls, slightly less than 1 inch in size. A small cookie scoop (approximately 2 teaspoons capacity) is ideal for achieving consistent sizes. Arrange these dough balls on your prepared cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each to allow for slight spreading.
- Achieve the Signature Swig Edge: This step is crucial for the authentic Swig cookie look. Lightly spray the bottom of a glass measuring cup or a flat-bottomed glass with cooking spray. Then, dip the sprayed bottom into a plate covered with a thin layer of granulated sugar. Gently press down on each cookie dough ball, just enough to flatten it slightly and create those characteristic “rough” or crinkled edges. The key is not to flatten them too thinly; these cookies are best when they remain thick and soft in the center.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies for 6-8 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The cookies should be set, with edges that are just barely beginning to turn golden, but the centers should still look soft. Do not overbake!
- Cool and Frost: Once baked, remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. It’s essential that the cookies are fully cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Preparing the Creamy Frosting:
While your cookies are cooling, prepare the rich and tangy frosting.
- Mix Frosting Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, sour cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract (or paste/lemon extract). Begin mixing on low speed until the powdered sugar is incorporated, then increase to medium-high speed and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Adjust Consistency: Gradually add milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, mixing after each addition until your desired consistency is reached. You want a frosting that is smooth, spreadable, and holds its shape but isn’t too stiff. If desired, now is the time to mix in a few drops of food coloring until you achieve your preferred hue.
- Frost and Enjoy: Once the cookies are completely cool, pipe small dollops of frosting onto each cookie using a pastry bag with a round tip, or simply spread it on with a small offset spatula or knife. Enjoy your freshly baked and frosted Mini Sugar Cookie Bites!
Sugar Cookie Bites Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened, 2 sticks
- ¾ cup Butter Flavored shortening
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 2 large eggs
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp Cream of Tartar
- 1 tsp salt
- 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
For the Creamy Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 Tbsp sour cream
- 4 cups powdered sugar sifted, if desired
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or 2 tsp vanilla bean paste, or ½ tsp lemon extract)
- 1-2 Tbsp milk (as needed for consistency)
- Food coloring if desired
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, shortening, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and milk until light and fluffy.
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Add the eggs one at a time and mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
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Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until smooth and just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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Scoop the dough into balls just under 1-inch in size (using a small cookie scoop, about 2 tsp of dough). Place the dough balls on the prepared cookie sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
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Spray the bottom of a glass or measuring cup with cooking spray, then dip it into a plate coated with a thin layer of sugar. Gently press each dough ball down slightly to create the rough edges characteristic of Swig cookies. Do not flatten them too thin; these cookies are best when thick and soft.
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Bake for 6-7 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until the edges are just set and very lightly golden. Cool on wire racks completely before frosting.
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To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, mix together the softened butter, sour cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract (or alternative flavor). Beat until well combined and fluffy. Add milk gradually, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency for spreading or piping. If desired, add food coloring. Pipe small dollops or spread the frosting onto the cooled cookies.
Flavor Variations for Frosting:
* For Vanilla Bean Frosting: Use 2 tsp vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract.
* For Chocolate Frosting: Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and an additional tablespoon of sour cream (for a total of 3 TBSP sour cream).
* For Lemon Frosting: Whisk in 2 teaspoons lemon juice and 1 tablespoon lemon zest.
Nutrition Information (per cookie)
Tips for Perfect Mini Frosted Sugar Cookies
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, shortening, and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together smoothly, creating a uniform batter and a tender cookie.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Always spoon flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to too much flour and dry, dense cookies.
- Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients, mix only until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make cookies tough.
- Achieve the Right “Rough Edge”: The signature Swig cookie edge comes from the sugared glass press. Don’t press too hard; you want the cookies to remain thick enough to be soft and chewy after baking, not cracker-thin.
- Watch Baking Time Closely: Mini cookies bake quickly. Keep a close eye on them and remove them from the oven as soon as the edges are barely set and the centers still look soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the hot baking sheet.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: This is a non-negotiable step! Warm cookies will melt your beautiful frosting, turning it into a runny mess. Patience is key for perfectly frosted cookies.
How to Store Mini Frosted Sugar Cookies?
Proper storage is essential to keep your mini sugar cookies fresh and delicious. Once frosted, these cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. To prevent the creamy frosting from sticking to other cookies, especially if stacking them, allow the frosting to set completely (this might take an hour or two at room temperature, or less in the fridge). If you need to layer them, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between each layer to protect the frosting. This ensures they maintain their beautiful appearance and soft texture.
Can I Make Bite-Sized Sugar Cookies in Advance?
Absolutely! These bite-sized sugar cookies are an excellent candidate for making ahead, which makes them perfect for busy holidays, parties, or when you just want a quick treat on hand. You can prepare and bake the cookie dough in advance. Once the cookies have cooled completely after baking, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze them unfrosted. When you’re ready to serve, simply remove them from the freezer, let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two, and then prepare and apply the fresh frosting. This method ensures you always have delicious, freshly frosted cookies with minimal effort on the day of your event.
Serving Suggestions and Customization Ideas
These mini sugar cookie bites are incredibly versatile. Serve them as a charming dessert alongside coffee or tea, include them in a festive cookie assortment, or pack them into decorative bags for edible gifts. Beyond the suggested vanilla, lemon, or chocolate frosting variations, consider these customization ideas:
- Extract Swaps: Experiment with almond, peppermint, orange, or even coconut extract in either the cookie dough or the frosting for different flavor profiles.
- Colorful Sprinkles: Add holiday-themed sprinkles (like red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or patriotic colors for the Fourth of July) to the wet frosting for an extra pop of color and festivity.
- Citrus Zest: Finely grated lemon, lime, or orange zest can be incorporated into the cookie dough or frosting for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Different Frosting Application: Instead of piping dollops, you can spread the frosting thinly over the entire surface of the cookie for a classic look, or even drizzle with melted chocolate.
More Delicious Sugar Cookie Recipes to Enjoy Soon
If you’ve loved making these mini frosted sugar cookie bites, be sure to explore more fantastic sugar cookie recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth:
- BUTTER SUGAR COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE SUGAR COOKIES
- CREAM CHEESE SUGAR COOKIES
- CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE BARS
- PEPPERMINT FUDGE SUGAR COOKIES
- SOUR CREAM SUGAR COOKIES
- LEMON JELLO SUGAR COOKIES
- SUGAR COOKIE BARS
- LIME SUGAR COOKIES
- LEMON SUGAR COOKIE BARS
- BUTTERMILK SUGAR COOKIES
- CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE
- WATERMELON SUGAR COOKIES
- SOFT SUGAR COOKIES
- FROSTED LEMON SUGAR COOKIES
You are truly going to adore these tiny sugar cookie bites! They are such a delightful and fun treat, and their miniature size makes them perfectly acceptable to enjoy by the handful. Whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a holiday, or simply craving something sweet, these soft, frosted cookies are sure to be a hit. Get baking and bring some joy into your kitchen today!
