There's something truly nostalgic and delightful about a soft, colorful cookie topped with creamy frosting-welcome to the joy of the Lofthouse Cookies Recipe. These cookies are perfect when you want a sweet treat with a tender crumb and a smooth, luscious topping. Whether it's for a birthday party, holiday gathering, or just a cozy afternoon bite, making this recipe feels like sharing a little edible happiness right from your own kitchen.
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Why This Recipe Works
This Lofthouse Cookies Recipe nails that delicate balance between a soft, pillowy cookie and rich, flavorful frosting that never overwhelms the palate. Every step is designed to give you consistent results with tender edges, a subtly tangy hint from sour cream, and a creamy topping that stays silky without being runny.
- Consistent Texture: Combining sour cream with the butter creates a tender crumb that's never dry or cakey.
- Deep, Balanced Flavor: The slight tang in the dough perfectly complements the vanilla-sweet frosting and sprinkles.
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples and easy steps mean you can whip these up anytime.
- Fast Prep, Big Payoff: Refrigerator chilling firms the dough up just right for shaping while reducing spread during baking.
Ingredient Game Plan
When you gather ingredients for this Lofthouse Cookies Recipe, focus on quality basics that bring out the best flavor and texture. Fresh dairy and pure vanilla will make a subtle but noticeable difference, and picking the right flour can improve the cookie's rise and tenderness.
- Butter: Use unsalted, softened butter for a creamier texture and control over salt content.
- Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream adds moisture and encourages a soft crumb-don't skip it!
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla offers depth; avoid imitation when possible.
- All-Purpose Flour: Fresh flour ensures tidy cookie structure; sift if lumpy.
- Food Coloring: Gel colors work best for vibrant shades without altering dough consistency.
- Powdered Sugar: Use fine powdered sugar in the frosting for smooth, creamy results.
Quick Note: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Cook Lofthouse Cookies Recipe
Step 1 - Prep & Season
Start by creaming the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy-this usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. You'll notice the mixture lightens in color and feels airy, which traps air to give your cookies their signature light texture. Then add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined. If you want colorful cookies, mix in your chosen food coloring now, knowing the shade will soften when the dry ingredients join. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to distribute everything evenly before folding it in.
Step 2 - Build Flavor
Gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet, being careful not to overwork the dough-overmixing can make the cookies tough. The dough will feel soft and slightly sticky at this point, which is exactly what you want for tender cookies. Pop it into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least an hour. Chilling prevents excessive spreading in the oven and helps deepen the flavors. I like to set a timer so I don't forget-because my first few attempts had me rushing to bake too soon, and the cookies spread more than I liked.
Step 3 - Finish for Best Texture
When you're ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Shape the chilled dough into smooth balls roughly the size of a golf ball; if your hands get sticky, a light dusting of flour helps. Give each ball a gentle press to slightly flatten it before placing on the cookie sheet, keeping at least 2 inches between them. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching closely for puffed cookies with just golden edges. Pull them out slightly before they deepen in color-that'll keep them soft and tender after cooling. Let them rest on the sheet for 10 minutes; this is the magic time when they set up with plush texture.
Pro Moves I Swear By
Having baked these cookies many times, here are my favorite tips to get that perfect soft and fluffy texture every time.
- Doneness Cue: Look for lightly golden edges and a set but pillowy center-the cookies will firm as they cool.
- Temperature Trick: Using full-fat sour cream ensures moistness; reduced-fat options can dry the dough.
- Make-Ahead Move: Dough keeps well chilled for up to 24 hours; just let it soften slightly before scooping.
- Skip This Pitfall: Don't overbake-cookies that brown too much lose that signature softness.
Serve It Up
Finishing Touches
The frosting here is as important as the cookie itself. Creaming butter with powdered sugar until fluffy creates a silky, spreadable texture that's easy to tint with vibrant colors. Vanillin-rich vanilla ties it all together beautifully without overpowering. I recommend using an offset spatula to frost, smoothing the icing in gentle swirls, then topping with festive sprinkles for a playful crunch. Keep in mind this frosting doesn't set hard, so avoid stacking cookies to keep each one picture-perfect.
Great Pairings
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a mild cup of tea to balance sweetness. I also love serving them alongside fresh berries or tangy yogurt for a contrast of textures and flavors that keep every bite interesting. If you're feeling indulgent, a scoop of vanilla ice cream is dreamy too.
Easy Plating Wins
For casual weekday treats, a simple stack on a pretty plate makes for a cheerful snack. For special occasions, arrange cookies in a circle on a platter with sprigs of fresh mint or edible flowers in the center. Transparent glass jars or tiered stands also elevate the vibe for parties, making your Lofthouse Cookies Recipe shine front and center.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. The soft texture stays intact, and if they feel a bit firm, a minute in the microwave restores that freshly baked softness nicely.
Freezer Notes
This Lofthouse Cookies Recipe dough freezes beautifully. You can scoop and shape balls ahead, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a sealed bag for up to three months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before baking. Fully baked and frosted cookies freeze well too-just layer parchment paper between them and thaw gently at room temperature.
Reheating Lofthouse Cookies Recipe Without Drying Out
To warm your cookies without drying them, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds with a damp paper towel nearby to keep moisture in. Alternatively, a quick 3-4 minute stint at 300°F in the oven restores softness, but watch closely to prevent browning. Air fryers also work well on low heat for 2-3 minutes; just avoid overheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! The dough chills well for up to 24 hours, which actually helps deepen the flavors and improves shaping. Just bring it to room temperature briefly if it's too firm.
Sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang, which tenderizes the cookie and balances the sweetness, resulting in that soft, bakery-style texture we love.
Gel-based food coloring is your best bet. It provides bright colors without thinning the dough, unlike liquid food coloring.
Yes! This simple buttercream frosting is versatile and pairs well with many cookies, especially soft sugar cookies or cake-like treats.
Final Thoughts
I've shared this Lofthouse Cookies Recipe with friends and family countless times, and the consistent praise never fails to brighten my day. What I love most is how forgiving this recipe is, letting you enjoy the baking process without stress. Plus, those tender, frosted cookies really bring people together-whether it's a weekday treat or a celebration. I'm excited for you to make this recipe your own; don't hesitate to experiment with different colors, sprinkles, or even subtle flavor twists. Enjoy every soft, sweet bite!
PrintComplete Recipe
Lofthouse Cookies Recipe
This Lofthouse Cookies recipe delivers soft, fluffy sugar cookies topped with creamy, colorful frosting and sprinkles. Perfectly sweet with a tender crumb, these classic cookies are ideal for celebrations or everyday treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 12 tablespoon butter softened
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup full fat sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Food coloring (optional)
Frosting
- 12 tablespoon butter softened
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoon milk or cream
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Cream Sugar and Butter: Cream the sugar and butter together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix well to combine. Add food coloring if desired; color will lighten when dry ingredients are added.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- Chill Dough: Transfer the dough to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The dough will be soft and sticky.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Shape Cookies: Remove dough from refrigerator. Using a cookie scoop, form dough balls about the size of a golf ball. If sticky, dust hands with flour. Place dough balls at least 2 inches apart on baking sheets and gently press down to slightly flatten.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 12 minutes until cookies puff and edges just start to brown. Remove from oven and transfer baking sheets to wire racks. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for at least 10 minutes.
- Prepare Frosting: Cream butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Mix in vanilla. If frosting is too stiff, add milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Add food coloring and mix until uniform color.
- Frost Cookies: Frost cookies with a piping bag or offset spatula. Garnish with sprinkles immediately after frosting.
- Serving Note: Since frosting does not firm up completely, avoid stacking cookies to prevent damage.
Notes
- Chill dough for at least 1 hour to make it easier to handle and to improve cookie texture.
- If dough is too sticky when shaping, dust hands with flour to prevent sticking.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent cookies from sticking to baking sheets.
- For vibrant frosting colors, add food coloring gradually until desired shade is achieved.
- The frosting remains soft, so store cookies in a single layer to avoid smudging.
- Allow cookies to cool fully on the baking sheet before frosting to prevent melting.
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