If you’ve ever dreamed of biting into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie with that irresistibly creamy frosting on top, then this Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe is here to make all your sweet cravings come true. This recipe captures the magic of those classic bakery-style sugar cookies we all love, boasting a tender texture that’s perfectly balanced with a rich, vanilla-flavored buttercream frosting. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these cookies are guaranteed to brighten any moment with their delightful taste and nostalgic charm.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to making these luscious cookies. Each element works together to create that iconic softness, subtle sweetness, and creamy frosting that make this recipe stand out.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): The base that provides structure but keeps the cookies tender when combined with cornstarch.
- Baking powder (1 tsp): Helps the cookies rise just enough to be fluffy without losing their delicate texture.
- Baking soda (1/2 tsp): Works with the other leavening agents to ensure softness and gentle spread.
- Salt (1/4 tsp): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Cornstarch (4 tbsp): The secret weapon that makes these cookies incredibly soft and melt-in-your-mouth.
- Unsalted butter, softened (3/4 cup + 1/2 cup): Provides rich flavor; the first portion is for the dough, the second for the frosting.
- Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Sweetens the cookie dough perfectly.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): Creates the smooth, fluffy frosting texture.
- Vanilla extract (2 tsp total): Adds the warm and comforting flavor signature to these cookies and frosting.
- Egg (1): Binds everything together for a tender crumb.
- Milk (3–4 tbsp): Adjusts the frosting’s spreadability to the perfect creamy consistency.
- Corn syrup (1/2 tbsp): Gives the frosting that shiny finish and luscious mouthfeel.
- Sprinkles and food coloring (optional): For fun and festive decoration that makes these cookies pop.
How to Make Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup. Then, whisk together all your dry ingredients — flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch — in a medium bowl. Setting these aside will make the next steps smoother and ensure an even distribution for perfectly tender cookies.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar until your mixture looks creamy and smooth. This is where the magic begins: the sugar crystals break down and incorporate air, which helps create the lighter structure we want in these cookies.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to your creamed mixture and beat until everything is well combined. The egg acts as a binder, while the vanilla infuses your dough with that unmistakable warm flavor.
Step 4: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mix to your wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Over-mixing can toughen your cookies, so gently fold everything together until you see no more flour patches.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls with your hands. Place each dough ball about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Using the bottom of a glass or your palm, gently flatten them into thick, even rounds. This sets you up for that classic Lofthouse shape and ensures even baking.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges just begin to turn a golden hue but the centers remain soft to the touch. This slight underbaking is exactly what keeps them tender after cooling.
Step 7: Cool Completely Before Frosting
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Frosting warm cookies can lead to melting, so patience here ensures your frosting sets beautifully.
Step 8: Whip Up the Frosting
In a clean bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually mix in powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add vanilla extract, corn syrup, and milk, beating until you reach a spreadable, fluffy consistency. Adjust the milk quantity to get it just right — creamy but not runny.
Step 9: Frost and Decorate
Once your cookies are nicely cooled, spread the frosting generously on top. If you want to add a pop of color or fun, mix in food coloring and top with sprinkles for an extra festive touch.
How to Serve Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkles are the quintessential garnish for Lofthouse sugar cookies, turning each bite into a joyful experience. You can keep it classic with pastel colors or mix it up with metallic or themed sprinkles for holidays and special occasions.
Side Dishes
These cookies go perfectly with a glass of cold milk, a hot cup of tea, or even a rich cup of coffee. Their sweetness and soft texture balance well with warm beverages, making snack time feel like a comforting treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For a unique twist, try stacking them with a layer of frosting sandwiched in the middle, or arrange them in a beautiful cookie platter with varying frosting colors and sprinkle designs. They also make delightful edible gifts when wrapped in clear bags with colorful ribbons.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, keep your frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their softness and fresh flavor. If unfrosted, they can last a bit longer, up to a week.
Freezing
Want to prep ahead? You can freeze the unfrosted cookie dough balls on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, just pop them into the oven from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to your baking time. For fully baked cookies, freeze them unfrosted and add the frosting after thawing for best results.
Reheating
If your cookies lose a bit of their fresh-baked softness, gently warm them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This quick heat can revive that delicious tenderness and make the frosting extra soft and irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but be sure to omit or reduce the added salt in the recipe to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty.
Why is cornstarch used in this Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe?
Cornstarch softens the texture of the cookies by preventing gluten formation, which is why these cookies are tender and almost melt in your mouth.
How thick should I flatten the cookie dough balls?
Flatten the dough balls to about 1/4 inch thickness. This helps achieve the classic thick yet soft texture, making sure they don’t turn out too crispy or too doughy.
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
With some substitutions like plant-based butter and an egg replacer, you can adapt the recipe. However, the texture and flavor might vary slightly from the traditional version.
Is it necessary to cool the cookies completely before frosting?
Absolutely. Frosting warm cookies will cause the frosting to melt and slide off, so letting them cool fully ensures a beautiful, stable finish.
Final Thoughts
This Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with its soft texture, rich frosting, and nostalgic feel. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, these cookies are easy to make and endlessly enjoyable to share. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to some sweet, buttery happiness right from your own kitchen!
Print
Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Lofthouse Sugar Cookies recipe delivers soft, fluffy, and deliciously sweet cookies topped with a smooth vanilla frosting and optional sprinkles. Perfect for celebrations or everyday treats, these classic cookies are easy to make and sure to impress with their tender texture and rich flavors.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp cornstarch
Cookie Dough
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3–4 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tbsp corn syrup
- Sprinkles (optional)
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch until well combined, then set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is creamy and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Flatten Cookies: Gently press each dough ball with the bottom of a glass or your hand to create thick cookie rounds, ensuring even thickness for uniform baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden while the centers remain soft.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
- Prepare Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth and fluffy.
- Add Flavor and Texture to Frosting: Mix in vanilla extract, corn syrup, and milk. Adjust milk quantity as needed to achieve a spreadable consistency.
- Frost the Cookies: Spread the frosting generously over each cooled cookie using a knife or spatula.
- Decorate: If desired, add food coloring to the frosting before spreading and decorate with sprinkles for a festive touch.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for the best cookie texture.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Cookies should be soft in the center when done baking; avoid overbaking for chewy texture.
- If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk; if it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar.
- For best results, let cookies cool completely before frosting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
