Root Beer Float Cookies

Name: Root Beer Float Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 cup butter (softened); 2 cups brown sugar; 2 eggs; 1 cup buttermilk; 1 teaspoon root beer extract (you can add a little more if you love Root Beer Flavor); 4 cups flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 4 cups powdered sugar; ¾ cup butter (softened); 3 Tablespoons milk; 1 teaspoon root beer extract (Add a little more if you love Root Beer flavor)

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83 Comments

5 from 14 votes

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These Root Beer Float Cookies are super soft and moist and the frosting on top is amazing! If you love Root Beer, you'll love these cookies.

I came across these Root Beer Float Cookies and knew that I had to try them.

They are super soft and moist and the frosting on top is what makes the cookie! It doesn’t use actual soda pop, but instead uses just a little bit of Root Beer extract (or concentrate) and it adds the perfect amount of root beer flavor.

If you love Root Beer, you will love these cookies!

Recipe Ingredient Notes

To make Root Beer Float Cookies, you will need the following ingredients:

Cookies:

Butter, softened
Brown Sugar
Eggs
Buttermilk
Root Beer Extract, you can add a little more if you love Root Beer Flavor
Flour
Baking Soda
Salt

Frosting:

Powdered Sugar
Butter, softened
Milk
Root Beer Extract, Add a little more if you love Root Beer flavor

Equipment Needed

For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:

How to make Root Beer Float Cookies

Cookies:

Preheat oven to 375℉.
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in buttermilk and root beer extract.
Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
Remove to wire racks to cool.

Frosting:

In a mixing bowl, combine all frosting ingredients.
Beat until smooth and frost cooled cookies.

Storage Suggestions

If you manage to not eat the whole tray of cookies immediately, these Root Beer Float Cookies store well. Once cookies have completely cooled, here is how you can store them:

Counter: Store in an airtight container in a single layer for up to 4 days at room temperature. If you want to try and get the cookies to last even longer without becoming crumbly cookies, add a slice of bread into the container of cookies. The bread will give the cookies something to draw moisture from.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in a single layer for up to 7 days in a refrigerator.
Freezer: You can freeze precooked cookie dough for cookies later. Just roll out and freeze for 30 minutes, and then transfer to an airtight, freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. To store cooked cookies, let them cool completely before you put them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

There’s nothing like homemade cookies that the whole family will love. Check out our comprehensive collection of cookie recipes here.

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Questions & Reviews

Cupcake Crazy Gem says:

Oh man, root beer is pretty much my favourite thing ever! It's the number one reason I want to move to America, no jokes! We don't get it here in England which is just awful! However I do have a little bottle of root beer extract in my baking cupboard, that my sisters kindly brought me back from a trip to California, and it's screaming out for me now to use it in these cookies!! and since I'm procrastinating my dissertation I might just have too! thanks for sharing!!
Jocelyn says:

These sound really good!!!! My kids just love root beer so I will have to try these...for them:-) I love the new blog design...super cute!!!
Jackie says:

What is icing sugar? Is it the same as powdered sugar?
Kathryn says:

Is icing sugar the same as powdered sugar? I'm a baking dummy :)
amanda.l.ellis says:

These sound so amazing!!I can't wait to make them. My family just loves root beer floats so I know will be a hit :) Thank you for such a fun recipe!
Aimee says:

I just made root beer float cookies this weekend, up on the blog later this week or next! So so delish! Love your version with frosting!!!
Denise says:

Looks yummy, will try. You girls all look so much alike
BeckyA59 says:

Thanks for the recipe. I don't drink soda any more, but woke from a dream the other night CRAVING a root beer float! After a trip to the store I am making these for sure!
Heather Painchaud says:

Whao!! Shut the front door these look awesome!! Thanks for sharing ~ pinned!!!
xo
heather
Becky says:

This looked like something that I needed to pin, so I actually had to look up your web address from your picture. The only pictures on Pinterest, that I found, linked to the picture but not to your website. This looks like an amazing recipe for a summer party!
Ashley's Cooking Adventures says:

Root beer has been one of my biggest pregnancy cravings and these cookies are making me CRAZY! They look delicious!!
jenessa jenkins says:

Does anyone know where you can find root beer extract?
Jennie says:

I baked these today, and they taste pretty good, but I did not get the same root beer color that you did. Can you tell me what brand of extract or concentrate you used? I would like to get the same color, my icing didn't take on any sort of color at all. Not very root-beer-floatish or as pretty as yours!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says:

Yum! I have been dying to bake with root beer forever. These cookies look delicious!
It's A Wonderful Life says:

Yes, icing sugar is powdered sugar.
It's A Wonderful Life says:

You can find it in the baking aisle next to the vanilla flavoring.
Try It With Carmella says:

this idea is so cool! i'm pinning it right now so i can remember to try it. i loveee root beer.
Unknown says:

Love root beer floats! So excited to try these. Is there anything I can use to substitute buttermilk as I never buy it to drink?
Hanunyah says:

Cute blog! I have 7 sisters, and we have 4 brothers. A big family is so fun!
luv2quilt says:

There is a buttermilk powder usually on the baking aisle. Just add a little water & you're ready to go. I've never had any trouble using it instead of actual buttermilk. :-)
Jen says:

Wow, just made these for a dinner party, they are AMAZING! Like someone else said above I didn't get the brown colour that you did, however I did add some vanilla to the icing for fun. They were a hit! Thanks!
Jen says:

I added a bit of vanilla extract on top everything else to the icing. Changed the colour a bit. I also learned there isn't such a thing as too much root beer concentrate (I used Watkins)
The 'Rents says:

I never buy buttermilk anymore. Just add a TBSP of white vinegar to a cup of milk (whatever you have in the house, we use skim). Let it sit for 5 minutes and you have buttermilk!
Jo and Sue says:

These were amazing! Love the cake-y texture. My sister and I did a blog about them on our blog if you'd like to have a peek. Thanks for sharing these! http://joandsue.blogspot.ca/2012/05/rootbeer-float-cookies.html
SayNotSweetAnne says:

My mom and I used to LOVE rootbeer barrels! I've nver even thought about a root beer cookie! Thats such a great find! Thank you so much for sharing, I'm going to have to put this one on my to do list. =D I'd love it if you would link up to Sweet Sharing Monday: http://saynotsweetanne.com/2012/sweet-sharing-monday-4/
twelve-O-eight says:

I will be making a triple batch. One to share, one to stash, and one for mama! These look so delicious :) I am a new reader, creating over at http://www.twelveoeight.blogspot.com/ - Tanya :)
Kurgan Nazzir says:

I just came across this on Pinterest and all I can say is: oh my god, this sounds so delicious!
Dani Wierenga says:

Can you use actual root beer for "root beer extract or concentrate"?
These look amazing!!
Camille says:

I have not tried them without the root beer extract . . . I think that the actual root beer might not give them as strong of a root beer taste (because the extract is so concentrated). If you try it, let us know!
MissUnlucky says:

Tried the recipe and did not find it pleasing. It turned out cake-like and the icing didn't become thick. You couldn't taste the rootbeer in either of them. :(((
Unknown says:

Not all supermarkets carry it, I found out the hard way! Wal-Mart has it though, with their vanilla extract, almond extract, etc.
Erin says:

Oh boy! Yum!!! I can't wait to make these! Thanks!
bononers says:

I just discovered your blog recently, and I can't believe how many similarities there are! I'm one of six incredibly crafty sisters as well! and my kids always say that pop is spicy! totally feel like I'm looking into a parallel universe right now!
Kelly Miller says:

I found it at hobby lobby
Kelly Miller says:

I'm lactose intolerant, I just used soy milk...and they turned out fabulous! I bet you could just use regular milk!
Tina B says:

There are two things in this world my Grandma loves: root beer and cookies. I made her a batch of these for her 90th birthday and she can't stop raving about them! She absolutely loved the idea of combining the two..
Thank you so much for posting the recipe!!
Jason & Kelli West says:

for every cup of milk add either a Tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice...that works for a substitute!
Shanna says:

After reading the comments, I added an extra teaspoon of root beer extract and these were a huge hit with my family!! Not sure why some of the other commenter's cookies didn't turn out brown...ours area lovely shade of root beer ;)
Felisa Leisinger says:

I made these cookies yesterday, used 2% milk and half wheat flour. I used a root beer extract that would be used to actually make root beer (because I'm 9months pregnant, and we do....). I don't have the box the extract came in, but the bottle says "Homebrew" "Old fashioned recipe, Root beer" and it's from our local homebrew store. I imagine it's more potent than what is available at Walmart or the grocery store. While we haven't perfected making our own root beer, these cookies are delicious. I did not make the icing because I'm freezing the cookies, but imagine it would be an amazing treat, but only for people who really like root beer. My husband tried the cookies, and said "Well, they taste like root beer" :-)
PineappleGirl says:

No root beer in England??? That is pretty much the saddest thing I have ever heard!
Melia says:

I made these tonight, because root beer is my favorite! They were so yummy! I actually got 6 dozen out of them and they were each about 3-4 inches across. Delish! And THANKS!
Jana says:

I make these a lot we love them... My favorite is to make them smaller and with the frosting on the bottom you can make them sandwickes!! So good. My recipe does call for rootbeer extract tho. Yum can't wait to make them soon.
Jensen: Dana and Ruth says:

The cookies were OK. I may have miscounted because I had to add about an extra cup of flour after my first batch ended up like cookie soup. But the frosting is AMAZING! I will be using that again :-D
Rachel G. says:

I have the exact same problem. Mine also turned out cakey (which I don't prefer) and I can't taste any rootbeer. I haven't even made it to the icing step, lol
Krystin Robinette says:

Can u get root beer extract anywhere?
Six Sisters says:

Walmart carries it and most grocery stores. Check by the vanilla extract!
Cam M says:

I make these for my boyfriend all the time, he loves them very much. Just made some today. Turned out yummy as always. Thank you for sharing such a great and easier recipe.
food lover says:

Haha. I rarely allow my kids to drink carbonated drinks and they call it "spicy" too. It must have something to do with how seldom they get it.
Amber Weber says:

My kids call soda "spicy" drinks as well!! :) Can't wait to try these for my hubby!
Amber Weber says:

My kids call soda "spicy" drinks as well!! :) Can't wait to try these for my hubby!
Kim says:

Is there a substitute for root beer extract? Can you perhaps boil down root beer soda to a glaze consistency?
Cyd says:

We googled it and there are some recipes out there using root beer instead of the extract. You would have to study up on how to change the ingredient amounts.
Emily says:

Does the icing harden so that these cookies can be stacked? If not, I think I'll make sandwich cookies out of them.
Cyd says:

It sets up pretty good. But if stacked, it will mash the frosting slightly.
Joyce arvig says:

I made them but I didn't think there was enough root beer flavor. Next time I will add more extract.
Amy says:

These are a hit in my family!! I got 5 dozen out of them. My cookies were a nice light brown, but my frosting stayed pretty white - which I actually think makes them look more "float" like. Vanilla ice cream is white after all! :) I was just wondering if you store these in a cookie jar or in the fridge seeing as there is butter and milk in the frosting?
Jerusha says:

We don't have root beer extract here in Guatemala :( and whenever we do get the soda I buy several cans to last me for months. Is there a way I can make the extract myself?
Roxanne says:

My boyfriend goes crazy for these cookies...and so do I. They are soft moist and incredibly delicious. I got the rootbeer extract out of the Wilkins catalogue in Canada. I am sure they sell online as well.
Cyd says:

We eat them within the same day they are made, so never had to store them for too long. If you have some left after the first day, put them in an airtight container in the fridge.
Rachel says:

The cookies are dry and very cake-like. The icing is way too sweet!
Deb says:

Walmart
Sara says:

Tried this recipe at home. The icing was wonderful but turned out to be more of a glazed icing. The cookies are kind of flavorless though, not very sweet. Needs more sugar, root beer extract and probably some vanilla extract as well.
Jenifer says:

I love that your kids call soda spicy! Mine do too. Thought I was the only one. I love root beer but don't care for the bubbles. So looking forward to trying these. Probably for the 4th! Thanks!
Connie says:

These taste really good, but the cookie part is very cake like--- is that how they should be? I guess the ingredients sound kind of cake like!
purplegr3mlin says:

Aww poop. Maybe it's because I over-mixed, but mine came out like a biscuit, lol. The taste is fantastic, but... biscuit. :(
Carissa says:

I love these cookies! I freeze them single layer in a ziplock bag. I pull a couple out at a time and let them sit almost to room temperature before devouring them!
Sherrill says:

My husband and I like to cook and bake. We use a lot of different extracts for a new twist to our dishes. We sell Watkins, Yes the products our grandma's use to use. I would love to share a long list of different extracts and seasonings with you.
Dcher says:

Same here. Mine puffed up and are cakey. Will add more extract if i make again. Icing them soon!
Candis says:

Sasparilla is there is it not, I am the 1st Gen born in North America the rest of our clan is for England. Gram used to make us ginger beet and Sasparilla , I found it quite similar. Nothing is the same as a good Barks root beer though.
Christa says:

I loved the idea of these cookies, however the cookie was more like a dry cake. They didn't have enough root beer flavor and were dull. The icing was good after I doubled the amount of Watkin's concentrate. They were not well liked at he potluck I took them to either.
Kevin says:

I've made these a good number of times. They're always a huge hit, and everybody wants the recipe. I do make a buttermilk substitute with milk and vinegar. And the icing's always white when I make it. I thought that might be the difference between the extract and the concentrate, but I've tried them with both.
Rachelle says:

These didn't turn out and I followed the recipe! There puffed up and didn't go flat and they barely had any rootbeer flavour. I don't know what went wrong but won't mane again
Cheryl T. says:

Let me share the history of these cookies. I married my husband in 1987 and these cookies were his favorite. I tease him that the recipe was my dowry for marrying him. In the late 90's, before Pinterest, I was part of an email recipe group called World Wide Recipes. The manager sent out a call for cookie recipes and I submitted my root beer cookie recipe. My email was swamped with a ton of replies. The cookies were a huge hit. A few years later I was sorting through junk mail and I came across my recipe in an ad selling cookbooks. Now they are all over the place. My cookies are famous. The recipe originally came from a church cookbook from Hyde Park, Utah in the 70's. I love seeing that so many people are enjoying them.
Tonya says:

I’m just wondering if you can use root beer?
Cyd says:

The root beer extract is what you will need for these Root Beer Float Cookies.
Lois says:

I love this cookie. It is soft which I like. I made the mistake in sifting my flour. Which is a no no. I love Root Beer so I tried this recipe. It is very good.
Sarah says:

Has anyone made this recipe with gluten free flour? Wondering if it would turn out or not.
Cindy F Lee says:

Where can I find the nutritional information? Diabetics in the family.
Marge says:

I'm sorry to say these cookies tasted like .. nothing. The texture was great, soft like gingerbread, but the cookie had no flavor - not root beer, not sugar, nothing. I didn't bother with the frosting, though I still might. More likely I'll dump the remaining dough, start over and use 1.5 tsps of extract (which I confirmed was not past expiration). I still have hope, but less optimism
Elena Levitt says:

These are really good!!! A lot of the root beer flavor does get cooked out of the cookie, so the frosting is necessary (and yummy!). I've been told a root beer emulsion would be better than extract, but I haven't been able to find any. Other than that, they were pretty yummy!
Diana says:

Made these. And they didn’t look anything like yours. Mine looked like chocolate on chocolate. lol The rootbeer extract was what made them dark. I’m curious what brand you used.
Momma Cyd says:

We used Watkins brand. I have also made these using their Root Beer Concentrate. The difference between the two is root beer concentrate has a much much stronger flavor than root beer extract, so you could add in less or add to your liking.
Sandy says:

What brand of extract do you use? The rootbeer extract I have did not work in this recipe. No rootbeer flavor until I added 3 or so Tbsp but it changed consistency of dough. Had to throw out entire batch of cookies.