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This copycat Lofthouse cookie recipe brings those iconic soft, cakey supermarket cookies right to your kitchen. The pillowy-soft sugar cookies topped with sweet pink frosting and colorful sprinkles create that nostalgic taste that's impossible to resist. After years of trying different versions, this recipe finally captures that perfect balance of softness and sweetness that makes the original so special.
I first made these for my daughter's birthday when the store was sold out of her favorite cookies. Now she actually prefers these homemade ones and requests them for every special occasion!
Ingredients
- Cake flour: Creates that signature tender texture regular all-purpose flour is too heavy
- Cornstarch: Works with the cake flour to create an incredibly soft crumb
- Sour cream: Is the secret ingredient that keeps these cookies moist for days
- Almond extract: Adds that subtle classic flavor that sets Lofthouse cookies apart
- Heavy cream: In the frosting creates that perfect spreadable consistency
- Pink gel food coloring: Gives that signature color without thinning the frosting
- Jimmies sprinkles: Add the perfect finishing touch use any color to match your occasion
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients:
- Whisk together cake flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. This step ensures even distribution of leavening agents for uniform texture in every cookie.
- Cream butter and sugar:
- Beat butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This incorporates air into the mixture which helps create that soft texture. Make sure butter is truly softened not melted for best results.
- Add wet ingredients:
- Mix in egg, vanilla, and almond extracts until fully incorporated. Then fold in sour cream until the mixture is smooth and well blended. The sour cream will make the dough appear slightly curdled; this is normal.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients:
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing which would develop gluten and create a tougher cookie. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
- Chill the dough:
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes. This firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and prevents excessive spreading during baking for that perfect pillow shape.
- Shape cookies:
- Scoop approximately 3 tablespoons of chilled dough and roll into balls with powdered sugar-coated hands. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets about 3 inches apart, then flatten to between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thickness using a powdered sugar-dusted glass.
- Bake to perfection:
- Bake at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Look for very light golden edges; the cookies should not brown. They will continue cooking on the hot pan after removal from oven.
- Frost and decorate:
- Beat butter until light and fluffy, then gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and enough heavy cream to reach spreadable consistency. Add pink food coloring if desired. Spread generously on fully cooled cookies, leaving a small visible edge and immediately top with sprinkles.
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The almond extract is truly what gives these cookies their distinctive flavor. I once accidentally doubled the amount and my family actually preferred them that way! Now I always add a little extra splash for that enhanced bakery taste.
Storage Solutions
These Lofthouse cookies actually taste even better the day after baking as the flavors meld together. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers if stacking to protect the frosting. For longer storage freeze unfrosted cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, then thaw at room temperature before frosting.
Perfect Substitutions
If you don’t have cake flour, you can make your own by replacing 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour per cup with cornstarch. Greek yogurt works beautifully in place of sour cream with nearly identical results. For a different flavor profile, try lemon or orange extract instead of almond. And if you’re out of heavy cream, milk works in the frosting though the consistency will be slightly thinner.
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Seasonal Variations
These cookies are incredibly versatile for holidays and special occasions. Switch to green frosting and Christmas sprinkles for the holidays, red for Valentine's Day, or orange for Halloween. Try dividing the frosting and creating multiple colors for a festive platter. You can even add a drop of complementary extract to the frosting, like peppermint for Christmas or lemon for spring.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your cookies spread too much, the dough wasn't chilled long enough. Return remaining dough to refrigerator between batches. For perfect round cookies, use a cookie scoop and flatten evenly with a flat-bottomed glass. Let cookies cool completely before frosting; otherwise, the frosting will melt and slide off.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I achieve the soft texture of Lofthouse cookies?
The combination of cake flour, cornstarch, and minimal mixing helps maintain the soft texture. Chilling the dough also ensures the cookies retain their tenderness during baking.
- → Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?
You can substitute all-purpose flour with 1 ¾ cups of flour and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to mimic cake flour's texture.
- → Can these cookies be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and freeze it. You can also freeze baked cookies without frosting for up to 3 months.
- → What’s the best way to frost these cookies evenly?
Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to evenly spread the frosting, leaving a small rim of the cookie exposed for a clean edge.
- → How do I store the frosted cookies?
Place the frosted cookies in an airtight container in a single layer to keep them soft and fresh for up to three days.
- → Can I customize the frosting color?
Absolutely! Use gel food coloring to create frosting in any color you like for different occasions or themes.