Big, fluffy, and melt-in-your-mouth soft: the Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe brings all the nostalgia of bakery-style cookies right to your own kitchen. Each tender, pillowy cookie is topped with a creamy blanket of pastel frosting and a blizzard of sprinkles. Whether you’re recreating a childhood favorite or introducing these delightful treats to new taste buds, this recipe transforms humble pantry staples into pure magic. Trust me, sharing a batch of these will spark instant smiles!

Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about the Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe is how everyday ingredients come together to make something extraordinary. Each component plays a unique role, from keeping the cookies soft and cakey to ensuring the frosting is perfectly dreamy. Here’s what you’ll need, and why you shouldn’t skip a thing:

Unsalted Butter: Gives the cookies their rich, tender crumb and ensures the frosting is silky-smooth.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create that classic crackly-top finish.
Large Eggs: Add structure and help form the cookie’s delicate texture.
Sour Cream: The secret to ultra-soft, bakery-style cookies—it keeps them moist for days!
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and amps up that comforting, old-fashioned flavor.
Almond Extract (optional): Just a hint creates that classic bakery aroma, but you can leave it out if you prefer pure vanilla vibes.
All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy base for perfect cookies that stay soft and thick.
Baking Powder: Gives your cookies their signature loft and cakey rise.
Baking Soda: Adds just the right amount of spread and color during baking.
Salt: Enhances flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
Frosting Butter: For extra-decadent, super-creamy frosting (make sure it’s softened!).
Powdered Sugar: The only way to get frosting as smooth as a cloud.
Heavy Cream or Milk: Helps the frosting whip up light, fluffy, and spreadable.
Extra Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavor in the frosting for an irresistible finish.
Food Coloring (optional): Adds that signature pastel hue—have fun with the colors!
Sprinkles: Because no Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe is complete without them. Choose your favorite shapes and colors.

How to Make Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment makes for easy cleanup and ensures these pillowy cookies don’t stick—no ruined bottoms, just perfect cookies every time.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat them until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes. This step is crucial for that classic soft, cakey texture that makes the Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe so special.

Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Sour Cream

Crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the sour cream, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). This creamy, luscious mixture is what gives the cookies their signature rich flavor and softness.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures your leaveners are evenly distributed, so every cookie will rise tall and proud.

Step 5: Bring the Dough Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The dough will be soft and a little sticky—don’t worry, that’s exactly what you want for super-soft cookies.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover and chill your dough for at least an hour. Chilling helps the cookies keep their shape and develop richer flavor. Pop on a show, take a break, and let the magic happen in the fridge.

Step 7: Shape and Bake

Scoop 2–3 tablespoons of dough for each cookie and roll into balls. Gently flatten them with your palm and place them on the baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches apart (they’ll puff up, not spread much). Bake for 9–11 minutes until the edges look just set and the centers remain pale—don’t overbake; soft is the goal here. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 8: Make the Frosting

While the cookies cool, beat the softened butter for the frosting until creamy and light. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy and smooth. Add food coloring if you like—pink, blue, or classic white are all fun! This cloud-like frosting is essential for the true Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe experience.

Step 9: Frost and Decorate

Once the cookies are completely cool, slather each one generously with your dreamy frosting. Top with sprinkles immediately so they stick. Step back and admire your gorgeous, bakery-worthy creations!

How to Serve Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Go all out with your sprinkles—rainbow, pastel, pearl, or holiday-themed, there’s no wrong way to decorate a Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe. If you’re feeling fancy, gently press a little edible glitter or shimmer dust into the frosting for a final, magical touch. For a bit of whimsy, adding tiny edible pearls or confetti can turn your cookies into a centerpiece for any celebration.

Side Dishes

These cookies are party heroes, but they also love good company! Serve them with a cold glass of milk, a mug of hot cocoa, or even a frosty iced coffee for grown-ups. On a dessert tray, they play beautifully alongside chocolate-dipped strawberries or fresh fruit skewers, balancing all that sweet, creamy goodness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For the ultimate wow-factor, layer frosted cookies in a glass trifle dish with whipped cream and berries for an easy “cookie trifle.” Or, stack them high on a pastel cake stand for birthdays and showers. Wrap individual cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon—these make adorable party favors or lunchbox surprises that spread joy wherever they go!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe super soft, store frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Place a sheet of wax paper between layers to protect the dreamy frosting. For extra longevity, refrigerate them for up to a week—they’ll still taste like bakery magic even a few days in.

Freezing

Both the cookie dough and the finished cookies freeze beautifully! To freeze dough, shape into balls and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual. Already-frosted cookies can be frozen too—just layer with parchment paper in an airtight container. Let them come to room temp before serving so the frosting regains its fluffy texture.

Reheating

While you don’t need to reheat these airy cookies, you can refresh day-old cookies by letting them sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes if previously refrigerated. If you want them slightly warm, heat un-frosted cookies in a 250°F oven for just 2–3 minutes. Avoid microwaving frosted cookies, as the frosting may melt or separate.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without sour cream?

Sour cream is truly the secret to the irresistible softness of the Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe. You can substitute with full-fat Greek yogurt if needed, but sour cream really delivers the classic pillowy texture everyone loves.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter in a pinch! Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon to balance the flavors. The cookies will still turn out beautifully soft and rich.

How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?

If your cookies are spreading more than you’d like, double-check that your dough was well-chilled before baking. Chilling the dough firms it up and helps hold their perfect, puffy shape.

Can I skip the almond extract?

Absolutely! The almond extract is optional in this Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe. If you prefer pure vanilla flavor or are baking for someone with nut allergies, simply leave it out—you’ll still get delicious results.

How can I make these cookies for a special occasion?

It’s so easy to make this recipe festive! Tint the frosting with food coloring to match your occasion and top with themed sprinkles: pink and red for Valentine’s, pastels for baby showers, or red and green for the holidays. Each batch is a blank canvas for celebration!

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving bakery-style cookies that deliver on softness, flavor, and just pure joy, you have to try this Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as baking up a batch, frosting them with a flourish, and seeing the smiles they bring. Gather your ingredients, get creative with your decorating, and prepare for these cookies to become a family favorite—one delicious, colorful bite at a time!

Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling)
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delight your taste buds with these soft and delicious Lofthouse Sugar Cookies topped with a creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
3¼ cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Frosting:

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2½ cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
food coloring (optional)
sprinkles for decorating

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix wet ingredients: Cream together butter and sugar until light. Add eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and almond extract.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture.
Chill dough: Chill dough for 1 hour for best results.
Bake: Scoop dough, flatten, and bake for 9–11 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Prepare frosting: Beat butter, add powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla. Frost cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles.

Notes

Store frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American