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
Scale
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
