Lofthouse Cookies Recipe: How to Make Lofthouse Cookies
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Aug 11, 2024 • 3 min read
Lofthouse cookies are soft, cake-like sugar cookies with colorful buttercream frosting and sprinkles.
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What Is a Lofthouse Cookie?
A Lofthouse cookie is a type of sugar cookie with a thick, cakey, soft texture that’s frosted with colorful American buttercream and topped with sprinkles. Lofthouse cookies are extra tender due to the addition of two leaveners and sour cream. Although sour cream is traditionally used, room-temperature cream cheese will achieve the same texture. Unlike chewy chocolate chip cookies, Lofthouse cookies have a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth consistency like a cross between classic sugar cookies and cupcakes. Lofthouse cookies became popularized due to their widespread availability in grocery store bakeries throughout America.
Origin of Lofthouse Cookies
In 1994, Lofthouse Foods began producing soft, cakey, sugar cookies known as “Lofthouse sugar cookies.” These cookies were predominantly distributed to in-store bakeries in United States supermarkets, which is why they are strongly associated with grocery stores.The icing color varies, often themed with holidays—pink for Valentine's Day, green and red for Christmas cookies, and orange for Halloween. Now, the name has surpassed the brand and is more synonymous with the style of cookie, topped with sweet American buttercream frosting and sprinkles.
Lofthouse Cookies vs. Sugar Cookies: What’s the Difference?
Lofthouse cookies and sugar cookies are similar in flavor profile, but they have structural differences:
- Consistency: Lofthouse soft sugar cookies are fluffy and cake-like due to the addition of sour cream, baking powder, and baking soda. The sour cream keeps the cookies moist and soft, while the dual leaveners make the texture less crumbly. Classic sugar cookies are chewy, with a dough intended to rise as little as possible when baking.
- Shape: A classic sugar cookie recipe is designed so the cookies retain whatever cookie cutter shape is desired. Lofthouse cookies are typically round.
- Frosting: Both are frosted sugar cookies, but classic sugar cookies are traditionally topped with royal icing, perfect for creating detailed cookie decorations because it hardens when dry. Lofthouse cookies are iced with American buttercream.
Soft Lofthouse Cookie Recipe
makes
24 cookiesprep time
1 hr 45 mintotal time
1 hr 53 mincook time
8 minIngredients
For the cookies
For the frosting and assembly
- 1
Add the butter and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. (A large bowl and hand mixer will also work).
- 2
Add the egg, sour cream, and both extracts to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until well combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- 3
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- 4
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer and mix on low speed until just combined (make sure not to overmix).
- 5
Form the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1½ hours or up to 24 hours.
- 6
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit with racks in the upper and lower thirds.
- 7
Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- 8
Divide the cookie dough into 24 equal portions by using a cookie scoop or rolling into balls.
- 9
Place the cookie dough balls on prepared baking sheets at least 2 inches apart.
- 10
Using the bottom of a glass, press each dough ball until it is ½-inch thick.
- 11
Transfer the cookies to the oven and bake just until the sheen is gone, about 8 minutes (be careful not to overbake).
- 12
Remove from the oven and allow to fully cool on a wire rack before icing.
- 13
Make the frosting. Add the butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Cream the butter until whipped and smooth.
- 14
Add powdered sugar and continue to beat on low speed until fully incorporated.
- 15
Add the vanilla extract, cream, and food coloring, and continue to beat on low speed until smooth.
- 16
Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe an even layer of frosting over each cookie and smooth with an offset spatula, if desired.
- 17
Top the cookies with sprinkles.
- 18
Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
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