Pin it
After countless trips to the grocery store for those famous soft frosted cookies I finally cracked the code to making them at home. These Lofthouse-style cookies are pure magic pillowy soft with the most delicious layer of creamy frosting on top. I love dressing them up with festive sprinkles for the holidays or really any time we need something special.
Why You'll Love These Cookies
The texture of these cookies is absolutely incredible like biting into a little cloud topped with sweet creamy frosting. You probably have everything you need in your pantry right now and the best part is you can make them match any celebration. My kids love helping with the sprinkles and honestly so do I.
Key Ingredients
- Cake Flour: This is our secret weapon for getting that melt-in-your-mouth softness.
- Sour Cream: Gives us incredibly tender cookies with just a hint of tang.
- Butter: Use the good stuff here it makes both the cookies and frosting extra special.
- Powdered Sugar: Makes our frosting silky smooth and perfectly sweet.
- Vanilla and Almond Extracts: A little bit of both makes these cookies taste magical.
- Sprinkles: Pick your colors to match whatever you're celebrating.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the Dough
- Start by mixing your dry ingredients in one bowl. In another beat your butter and sugar until fluffy then blend in sour cream eggs and those lovely extracts. Combine everything just until it comes together.
- Chill and Shape
- Split your dough in half wrap it up and let it chill for at least 3 hours. When you're ready roll it out about half an inch thick and cut out your cookies.
- Bake
- Pop them in a 350°F oven for about 8 or 9 minutes. You want them just barely golden at the edges. Let them cool completely before frosting.
- Frost and Decorate
- Whip up your frosting until it's light and fluffy. Spread or pipe it onto each cookie then shower them with sprinkles. Give the frosting time to set before stacking.
Tips for Perfect Lofthouse Cookies
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Take everything out of the fridge early they'll mix so much better.
- Don't Overmix: Stop mixing as soon as everything comes together to keep them tender.
- Chill the Dough: I know it's hard to wait but chilling makes such a difference.
- Generous Frosting: Don't be shy with the frosting it's half the fun.
- Don't Overbake: Pull them out when they're just set they'll keep baking a bit on the pan.
Pin it
Storage and Freezing
Keep your cookies in an airtight container and they'll stay soft for about a week. If you refrigerate them just let them come back to room temperature before serving. They freeze beautifully too just layer some parchment between them if they're frosted.
Customizing for Any Occasion
These cookies are like blank canvases ready for any celebration. Tint the frosting any color you like and switch up the sprinkles to match. Pink frosting and heart sprinkles for Valentine's Day orange and black for Halloween the possibilities are endless. Let your imagination run wild.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why use room temperature ingredients?
Ensures smooth mixing and proper texture in finished cookies.
- → Why chill the dough?
Makes soft dough easier to handle and prevents spreading while baking.
- → Can I make these ahead?
Yes, unfrosted cookies keep well sealed at room temperature.
- → Why use cake flour?
Creates more tender, delicate texture characteristic of Lofthouse cookies.
- → Why so much frosting?
Thick layer of frosting is signature characteristic of Lofthouse style.