If you have a sweet tooth and adore soft, pillowy treats that feel like a warm hug, you are going to fall in love with this Lofthouse-Style Sugar Cookies with Colorful Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe. These cookies boast that signature tender crumb, thanks to a perfect blend of simple ingredients and a touch of cornstarch, delivering the delightful texture that Lofthouse fans crave. The creamy, vibrant frosting paired with cheerful sprinkles creates a festive and irresistible finish that’s perfect for sharing at celebrations or brightening any ordinary day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe is straightforward but plays an essential role in crafting the perfect cookie. From flour providing the structure to the unique addition of cornstarch keeping them soft, each element works harmoniously to deliver that classic Lofthouse cookie experience.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for your cookies, giving them structure while still staying tender.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents ensure your cookies rise just enough for a light, fluffy texture.
- Cornstarch: Adds that extra softness and melt-in-your-mouth feel distinctive to Lofthouse cookies.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors in the dough and frosting.
- Salted butter: Brings richness and moisture; using room temperature butter helps you cream it perfectly.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create a tender crumb.
- Large eggs: Bind the dough and add moisture, keeping cookies soft and chewy.
- Sour cream: Introduces slight tang and moisture, ensuring a velvety texture that melts in your mouth.
- Vanilla and almond extracts: Two classic flavors that build depth and make the cookies irresistibly aromatic.
- Powdered sugar: The base for the luscious frosting that’s creamy and smooth.
- Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency to the perfect spreadability.
- Food coloring: Customizes your frosting with as many fun and festive hues as your heart desires.
- Colored sprinkles: Adds a playful crunch and bursts of color to finish off your cookies with flair.
How to Make Lofthouse-Style Sugar Cookies with Colorful Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients
Start by combining your all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, and kosher salt in a medium bowl. Whisking everything together ensures every bite has an even distribution of leavening and that signature softness from the cornstarch.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In your mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the room temperature salted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, which helps your cookies stay tender.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Next, add the eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition. Then mix in the sour cream, pure vanilla extract, and almond extract. These ingredients add moisture and that subtle tang, building the cookie’s complex flavor profile.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until everything is combined — overmixing can make the cookies tough, so watch your timing carefully to keep them soft and tender.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Form the dough into a ball and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour. This step is essential since it firms up the dough, making it easier to roll and helping the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Step 6: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F to get it ready. The perfect temperature ensures your cookies bake evenly, softening around the edges while staying delightfully tender inside.
Step 7: Roll and Cut the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled dough to a thickness just over ¼ inch. Use a round cookie cutter about 2 to 3 inches wide to make perfectly sized cookies. Transfer these little circles gently onto your baking sheet.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for 7 to 9 minutes until they’re set but still soft to the touch. Be careful not to overbake. When done, move them to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
Step 9: Prepare the Colorful Frosting
While the cookies cool, whip up the frosting. Beat the unsalted butter until smooth, then gradually add the powdered sugar. Mix in milk, vanilla, almond extracts, and salt. Add your chosen food coloring and mix until the frosting is perfectly creamy and vibrant.
Step 10: Frost and Add Sprinkles
Once the cookies are cool, spread on the frosting generously. Top with colored sprinkles to capture that classic playful, festive spirit. Now your Lofthouse-Style Sugar Cookies with Colorful Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe is ready to delight!
How to Serve Lofthouse-Style Sugar Cookies with Colorful Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe
Garnishes
Extend the fun by experimenting with additional garnishes like edible glitter, mini chocolate chips, or shredded coconut for texture layers. Fresh berries can also add a surprising pop of freshness alongside the sweet frosting.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk, a warm cup of coffee, or even a festive punch at holiday gatherings. The creamy, sugary texture contrasts just right with smooth drinks, enhancing the overall snack experience.
Creative Ways to Present
To wow your guests, arrange the cookies on colorful tiered trays or in decorative boxes with clear lids. You can also stack a few with parchment paper separators to create cookie gift towers. Personalize the frosting colors to match any party theme, making them an unforgettable treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This will maintain their softness and keep the frosting fresh. For best results, avoid refrigeration as it can dry them out.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either frosted or unfrosted. For unfrosted, freeze the dough balls on a tray before transferring them to a bag. For frosted, freeze the cookies in a single layer, then stack with parchment paper. They’ll last for up to three months frozen.
Reheating
To enjoy them warm, gently microwave a single cookie for 10 to 15 seconds. This softens the cookie and frosting just enough to bring back that fresh-baked feel. Avoid overheating to prevent melting the frosting too much.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum to maintain the chewy texture. Be sure to check that your baking powder and baking soda are also gluten-free.
Why is cornstarch used in this recipe?
Cornstarch is the secret to incredible softness. It tenderizes the cookies by limiting gluten formation, giving that luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture unique to Lofthouse cookies.
Can I use butter substitutes?
While salted butter is preferred for flavor and texture, you can try using unsalted butter plus a pinch of salt or a quality margarine. Keep in mind the taste and texture might vary slightly, but the cookies will still be delicious.
How do I achieve vibrant frosting colors?
Use gel or paste food coloring instead of liquid—it provides richer hues without thinning the frosting. Add coloring gradually to reach your desired tone without compromising texture.
What is the best way to store decorated cookies for a party?
Store them in a single layer, in an airtight container at room temperature. If you must stack, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and frosting damage.
Final Thoughts
This Lofthouse-Style Sugar Cookies with Colorful Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe is a heartfelt invitation to bring joy and nostalgia into your kitchen. Whether it’s for a festive occasion or simply a sweet weekend project, these cookies will brighten your day and impress anyone lucky enough to have a bite. Don’t hesitate to dive in and make this classic treat your own—it’s a guaranteed way to share smiles, one festive cookie at a time!
Print
Lofthouse-Style Sugar Cookies with Colorful Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
- Yield: 25 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Lofthouse Cookies recipe delivers soft, tender sugar cookies topped with creamy, colorful frosting and sprinkles, perfect for celebrations or just a sweet treat. The cookies are thick and chewy with a delicate crumb, while the buttery vanilla-almond frosting adds a luscious finish. These classic bakery-style cookies are easy to make at home and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (360 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (4 grams)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda (3 grams)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (7 grams)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (see note)
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup salted butter (113 grams, room temperature – 1 stick)
- 1½ cups granulated sugar (300 grams)
- 2 large eggs (100 grams, room temperature)
- ½ cup sour cream (114 grams, room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (4 grams)
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (2 grams)
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter (113 grams, room temperature – 1 stick)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (227 grams)
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (14–28 grams)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (2 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (1 gram)
- â…› teaspoon kosher salt
- Food coloring (any color, optional)
- 2 tablespoons colored sprinkles (24 grams)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt until well combined. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and salt throughout the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the salted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, making the cookies tender.
- Add Wet Ingredients to Dough: Beat in the eggs until fully combined, then add the sour cream, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain the cookies’ soft texture.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough firms it up, making it easier to roll and cut.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready when the dough is prepared.
- Roll and Cut Cookies: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to slightly more than ¼ inch thickness. Use a 2 to 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut out circles, then transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 7-9 minutes, until set but not browned. Removing them at the right time helps keep them soft.
- Cool Cookies: Transfer the baked cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a clean bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until incorporated. Add milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt, beating until fluffy. Add food coloring if desired and mix until evenly colored.
- Decorate Cookies: Once cookies are cooled, spread the frosting over each cookie. Finish by sprinkling colored sprinkles on top for a festive touch.
Notes
- Use kosher salt as indicated for balanced seasoning and to enhance flavor.
- Room temperature eggs, butter, and sour cream help the ingredients combine smoothly.
- Do not overbake cookies to maintain their signature soft texture.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and creates thicker cookies.
- Food coloring is optional and can be adjusted to your preferred colors.
