January 10, 2024
Review RecipeLofthouse Cookies
Table of Contents
These Lofthouse cookies are the perfect copycat recipe for the beloved grocery store bakery treat. They are thick, have a soft texture in the middle, and are topped with sweet frosting and sprinkles.
Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Ingredients
The Lofthouse Cookies recipe offers a unique blend of buttery richness and nutty notes from the almond extract.
The sweetness is perfectly balanced, and the use of cake flour ensures a delicate texture.
The creamy almond-infused frosting and colorful sprinkles add to the overall appeal, making these cookies a comforting and indulgent treat.
You’ll need:
For The Cookies:
- 2 cups of cake flour
- ½ cup of all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons of baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon of cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of sugar
- ½ cup of butter, softened
- ¼ cup of butter-flavored shortening, softened
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of almond extract
- 1 whole egg + 1 egg white
For the Frosting
- ⅓ cup of butter
- ⅓ cup of butter-flavored shortening, softened
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon of almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 3-3½ cups of powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons of whole milk
- Pink food coloring drops or pink gel food coloring
- Sprinkles
Substitutions And Additions
FOOD COLORING: You can use any color of food coloring or food coloring gel that you prefer. You could even make a few different colors and have a variety.
To do this, separate your frosting into however many bowls for each color you will make. Then, add the coloring separately to each bowl.
SPRINKLES: Of course, rainbow sprinkles are the best, but you can customize the color of the sprinkles along with the icing depending on the time of year.
BUTTER-FLAVORED SHORTENING: While butter-flavored shortening lends a unique flavor, you can use regular vegetable shortening as a substitute.
This will result in a slightly different taste but still maintain the cookie’s texture and structure.
ALMOND EXTRACT: If almond extract isn’t your preference, you can replace it with additional vanilla extract for a classic flavor profile.
Alternatively, experiment with other extracts like lemon or orange for a citrusy twist.
FLAVORED FROSTING: Elevate the frosting’s taste by incorporating flavored extracts or extracts that complement the cookie base.
Try flavors like strawberry, coconut, or maple to add a unique twist.
How To Make This Lofthouse Cookies Recipe
We will show you how to make these favorite soft cookies with our step-by-step instructions below.
STEP ONE: In a medium bowl, add cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt. Whisk together. Set aside.
PRO TIP:
Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature so that it mixes well without any lumps.
STEP TWO: In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on medium speed, cream together the sugar, butter, and shortening until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla extract, almond extract, and the whole egg. Then, add the egg white and continue mixing until well combined.
Turn off the mixer and use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl.
STEP THREE: Turn the mixer on low speed and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until no flour pockets remain.
Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for two to three hours.
STEP FOUR: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
STEP FIVE: Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator and use a cookie scoop to create balls of dough.
The balls should be about two to three tablespoons of dough, depending on how large you want your cookies).
Place the balls of dough on the cookie sheet and use the bottom of a glass to flatten into a round cookie with a ½-inch thickness.
Place six cookies on one baking sheet and six on the other.
PRO TIP:
An alternative method to making your cookies would be to roll the dough out on a flat surface to about a half-inch thick and then use a round cookie cutter to cut out the circles.
STEP SIX: Place one cookie sheet in the oven and cook for eight minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for two to three minutes on the baking sheet.
Place the other baking sheet in the oven and cook for eight minutes.
PRO TIP:
When baking your cookies, keep an eye on them! You want the edges to be firm without turning brown. Be sure to remove them from the oven as soon as they start to brown.
STEP SEVEN: Once the cookies have cooled for two to three minutes, remove them to a cooling rack.
STEP EIGHT: In a separate mixing bowl, beat together the butter and shortening with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla, almond extract, and salt and continue mixing until incorporated.
STEP NINE: Slowly beat in one cup of powdered sugar and one tablespoon of milk. Mix until combined.
Repeat one cup of powdered sugar and one tablespoon of milk at a time until all have been combined.
STEP TEN: Add your choice of food coloring until the desired color is achieved.
STEP ELEVEN: Frost the cooled cookies with a knife or piping bag and top with sprinkles.
How To Serve
These perfect copycat Lofthouse cookies would be a sweet treat for your loved ones on Valentine’s Day with their pretty pink frosting.
But don’t let that stop you from changing up the color and making these during the holiday season or any other special occasions throughout the year.
Elevate your dessert game by using the cookies to create ice cream sandwiches.
Simply place a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies and roll the edges in colorful sprinkles for a fun and indulgent treat.
Create a dessert platter by mixing and matching Lofthouse cookies with other sweets like brownies, macaroons, or mini lemon meringue pies.
Enjoy them with a glass of cold milk for a classic combination, or serve alongside hot cocoa for a cozy winter treat.
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Storage
Once you’ve baked up a batch of these delectable Lofthouse cookies, you’ll want to ensure they stay fresh and delicious. Here’s how to store and enjoy them for longer:
MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead or want freshly baked cookies at a moment’s notice, you can prepare the cookie dough in advance.
Simply shape the dough into cookie rounds and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
When you’re ready to bake, simply preheat the oven and follow the baking instructions.
ON THE COUNTER: You should store these soft sugar cookies in an airtight container with a sealed lid. This will ensure they last as long as possible.
Wondering how long your Lofthouse cookies will last? Typically, it’s about three to four days before they begin to dry out if they are stored properly.
IN THE FREEZER: Can you freeze homemade Lofthouse cookies? You absolutely can! This will ensure that they last even longer.
If planning on freezing your cookies, place parchment paper between each layer of cookies and then place them in an airtight container and into the freezer.
Why We Love This Recipe
SOFT TEXTURE: These cookies are renowned for their irresistibly soft and tender texture. They practically melt in your mouth, making each bite a delightful experience.
CUSTOMIZABLE FROSTING: One of the best parts about Lofthouse Cookies is the frosting. You can get creative with various colors and sprinkles to match different occasions.
PERFECT FOR ALL AGES: Lofthouse cookies are universally loved. Kids adore the colorful appearance and sweet frosting, while adults appreciate the nostalgic taste.
Lofthouse sugar cookies are the deliciously soft frosted sugar cookies that you remember from the bakery. This homemade version is an easy-to-make treat, and the colorful frosting can be customized to fit any occasion. You are going to love these delicious copycat sugar cookies!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you’d like to add different flavors to these cookies, you can. While they won’t taste like the original version anymore, they will still be delicious. Try a couple of drops of peppermint or orange extract for yummy variations.
You can prepare the dough in advance and store it wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to three days.
Lofthouse cookies freeze well for up to three months. Just make sure to add a layer of parchment paper between the cookies so the icing doesn’t cause them to stick to each other.
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Lofthouse Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 2 cups cake flour
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¼ cup butter flavored shortening, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 whole egg, plus 1 egg white
For the Frosting
- ⅓ cup butter
- ⅓ cup butter flavored shortening, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 to 3½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk
- food coloring or food coloring gel
- sprinkles
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl add cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt. Whisk together. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the sugar, butter, and shortening until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract, almond extract, and the whole egg. Mix together until combined. Add egg white and continue mixing until well combined. Turn off the mixer and use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the mixing bowl.
- Turn the mixer on low and gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix until no flour pockets remain. Cover mixing bowl with saran wrap and place in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator and use a cookie scoop to create balls of dough (about 2 to 3 tablespoons depending on how large you want your cookies). Place the balls of dough on the cookie sheet and use the bottom of a glass to flatten into a round cookie with a ½-inch thickness. Place 6 cookies on one baking sheet and 6 on the other.
- Place one cookie sheet in the oven and cook for 8 minutes. You want the edges to be firm without turning brown. Remove from the oven and let cool 2 to 3 minutes on the baking sheet. Place the other baking sheet in the oven and cook for 8 minutes.
- Once cookies have cooled for 2 to 3 minutes remove to a cooling rack.
Frosting
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat together the butter and shortening with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, almond extract, and salt and continue mixing until incorporated.
- Slowly beat in 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk. Mix until combined. Repeat 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until all have been combined.
- Add your choice of food coloring until the desired color is achieved.
- Frost cooled cookies with a knife or piping bag. Top with sprinkles.
Notes
- Make sure your butter shortening is softened to room temperature so that it mixes well without any lumps.
- An alternative method to making your cookies would be to roll the dough out on a flat surface to about ½ inch thick, and then use a round cookie cutter to cut out the circles.
- When baking your cookies, keep an eye on them! You want the edges to be firm without turning brown. Be sure to remove them from the oven as soon as they start to brown.
Nutrition
Even More Easy Recipes
- Five Star Bars
- Sugar Cookie Bars
- Sugar Cookies
- Toll House Cookie Recipe
- Brown Sugar Cookies
- Christmas Sugar Cookies
Comments
Shauna says
I saw on the recipe that these cookies used cake flour which I have never tried in a cookie. Of course I had to make them immediately and they turned out so amazing! Seriously this recipe is so similar to Lofthouse cookies. My kids are gobbling them up as we speak!
Katrina Johnson says
These are my daughter’s favorite cookies. They are so good!
jay platte says
my family loved these! so delicious!!!
Lisa Venz says
these cookies are the best, very soft and chewy
M Lynn Doane says
probably good. Haven’t tried them
Ed says
One of my granddaughters turns 7 in a few weeks. Did someone say pink?
Pam Springs says
These cookies are good cold & better w/the frosting!