Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies

Last Tuesday, my youngest daughter Sofia came home from school with the brightest smile on her face. She’d just had one of those iconic soft, pillowy sugar cookies with thick frosting at a friend’s birthday party. “Mom,” she said, “can we make those cookies everyone loves?

The really soft ones with the frosting?” I knew instantly she meant Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies. You know the ones—they’re practically legendary in grocery store bakery sections across America. My husband Mateo and I looked at each other and grinned. Why buy them when we could create an even better homemade version right in our own kitchen?

These cookies remind me so much of childhood celebrations and simple joys. The pillowy texture, the sweet vanilla flavor, and that signature thick frosting make Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies an absolute crowd-pleaser. We spent that evening perfecting our recipe, and honestly, the homemade version blew the store-bought cookies out of the water.

The best part? You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry already. Making these soft sugar cookies from scratch fills your home with the most wonderful aroma and creates memories that last far longer than any store-bought treat ever could.

Why You’ll Love These Soft Sugar Cookies

First and foremost, these Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies deliver that signature cake-like texture everyone craves. They’re incredibly soft, almost cloud-like, and stay fresh for days. Unlike traditional crispy sugar cookies, these beauties maintain their pillowy softness from the first bite to the last crumb.

Additionally, this recipe comes together quickly. You don’t need any fancy equipment or techniques. Just simple mixing, scooping, and baking.

Even on busy weeknights, I can whip up a batch while helping with homework. The straightforward process makes these cookies perfect for baking with kids, too. My girls absolutely love helping decorate these soft sugar cookies with colorful frosting and sprinkles.

Moreover, these cookies are incredibly versatile. You can customize the frosting colors for any holiday or celebration. Pink for Valentine’s Day, pastels for Easter, red and green for Christmas—the possibilities are endless. The base recipe for these Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies remains consistently delicious no matter how you dress them up.

Finally, they’re budget-friendly. Store-bought Lofthouse cookies can add up, especially when you’re feeding a family or bringing treats to gatherings. Making them at home costs a fraction of the price while delivering superior flavor and freshness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to cookie success. For these Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies, you’ll need simple pantry staples. Let me break down what goes into both the cookies and the frosting.

For the Frosting:

Substitutions & Variations

The beauty of these soft sugar cookies lies in their adaptability. However, some substitutions work better than others. Let me share what I’ve learned through testing.

For a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream. The cookies remain soft, though the texture changes slightly. I’ve tried this substitution multiple times with good results. Just ensure you use full-fat Greek yogurt for best results.

If you’re out of almond extract, don’t worry. Simply use additional vanilla extract instead. The almond extract adds a subtle bakery-style flavor to these Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies, but they’re still delicious without it.

For the frosting, you can use milk instead of heavy cream. The frosting will be slightly less rich but still tastes wonderful. Mateo often suggests using half-and-half as a middle-ground option.

Want to make these cookies even more special? Try adding lemon zest to the dough for lemon soft sugar cookies. Or fold in mini chocolate chips for a fun twist. During the holidays, I sometimes add peppermint extract and top the frosting with crushed candy canes.

For gluten-free needs, I’ve successfully used a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture differs slightly—they’re a bit more delicate—but they still capture that signature Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies experience.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating these soft sugar cookies requires attention to detail but isn’t complicated. Follow these steps carefully for perfect results every time.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.

Step 2: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set this dry mixture aside. Proper mixing of dry ingredients ensures even distribution of leavening agents.

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. The mixture should look pale and airy.

Step 4: Add sour cream, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture. Beat until completely combined. The batter might look slightly curdled—this is normal.

Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined. Don’t overmix, or your Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies will become tough.

Step 6: Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons), drop dough onto prepared baking sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart. These cookies spread moderately during baking.

Step 7: Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should look set at the edges but still pale. They shouldn’t brown. Remove them when they still look slightly underdone in the center.

Step 8: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This cooling time is crucial for maintaining that soft texture.

Step 9: While cookies cool completely, prepare the frosting. Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Beat until fluffy and spreadable.

Step 10: Once cookies are completely cool, spread frosting generously on top. Add sprinkles immediately before the frosting sets. That’s it—perfect Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies!

Creating these soft sugar cookies requires attention to detail but isn’t complicated. For a delightful appetizer to serve alongside your cookies, consider trying our salami cream cheese pickles.

Pro Tips for Success

After making these soft sugar cookies dozens of times, I’ve learned several tricks that guarantee success. First, don’t skip the sour cream. It’s the secret ingredient that creates that distinctive soft, cake-like texture everyone loves about Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies.

Second, measure your flour correctly. Too much flour makes dense, dry cookies. Always spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Never scoop directly from the bag.

Third, don’t overbake. These cookies should come out of the oven looking pale and barely set. They continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal. Overbaking creates dry, crumbly cookies instead of soft ones.

Fourth, ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. Cold ingredients don’t cream properly and result in dense cookies. I usually set mine out about an hour before baking.

Furthermore, frost cookies only after they’ve cooled completely. Warm cookies will melt the frosting, creating a mess. Trust me—I learned this the hard way!

Finally, for the most authentic Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies experience, make your frosting thick and generous. Don’t skimp! The thick layer of sweet frosting is what makes these cookies so irresistible.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Proper storage keeps these soft sugar cookies fresh for days. Store unfrosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They actually taste better the next day as the flavors develop.

For frosted cookies, layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container. This prevents the frosting from smearing. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for 3-4 days.

You can also freeze these Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies. Freeze unfrosted cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.

Alternatively, freeze the cookie dough. Scoop dough balls onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer frozen dough balls to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

I don’t recommend refrigerating these cookies. The refrigerator dries them out and diminishes that perfect soft texture. Room temperature storage works best for maintaining quality.

Proper storage keeps these soft sugar cookies fresh for days. To complement your sweet treats, you might enjoy our cranberry goat cheese flatbread as a savory option.

What to Serve With This Recipe

These soft sugar cookies pair beautifully with various beverages and complement many occasions. My family loves enjoying them with cold milk—it’s a classic combination that never gets old.

For adults, coffee or tea makes an excellent pairing. The sweetness of the Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies balances perfectly with slightly bitter coffee. Mateo particularly enjoys them with his afternoon espresso.

At parties, serve these cookies alongside fresh fruit. The lightness of berries or melon contrasts nicely with the rich, sweet frosting. This combination looks beautiful on a dessert platter too.

During holidays, I arrange these soft sugar cookies on tiered stands with other treats. They look festive and colorful among brownies, fudge, and other holiday favorites.

For birthday parties, these cookies work wonderfully as an alternative to cake. Decorate them in party colors and arrange them on a large platter. Kids absolutely love them, and they’re easier to serve than cake.

Ice cream lovers should try sandwiching vanilla ice cream between two Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies. It creates an amazing ice cream sandwich that rivals any store-bought version.

FAQs

Why are my soft sugar cookies spreading too much?

Cookie spreading usually happens when butter is too warm or dough is too warm. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. Additionally, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps cookies maintain their shape. Using properly measured flour also prevents excessive spreading.

How do I keep my Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies soft?

The sour cream in this recipe naturally keeps cookies soft. However, proper storage matters too. Always store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

Adding a slice of bread to the container helps maintain moisture. Most importantly, don’t overbake them—remove cookies when they still look slightly underdone.

Can I make these cookies without almond extract?

Absolutely! The almond extract adds subtle depth, but these soft sugar cookies taste delicious without it. Simply omit it or substitute additional vanilla extract. I’ve made them both ways, and my family loves them either way.

Why did my cookies turn out cakey instead of soft?

Too much flour typically causes overly cakey cookies. Make sure you’re measuring flour correctly by spooning and leveling. Additionally, overmixing the batter incorporates too much air, creating a cake-like texture. Mix just until ingredients combine for perfect Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can use salted butter, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe. I prefer unsalted butter because it gives you better control over the final flavor. However, salted butter works in a pinch—just adjust accordingly.

Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies are known for their soft, cake-like texture and thick frosting, making them a favorite among cookie lovers. These delightful treats are often associated with childhood memories and celebrations, reminiscent of the classic cookies found in bakeries across the United States, similar to the concept of sugar cookies.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Based on a batch of 24 cookies with frosting:

These Lofthouse Style Soft Sugar Cookies bring joy to our kitchen every single time we make them. They’ve become Sofia’s favorite treat to share with friends, and my older daughter loves photographing them for her social media. Food truly is love in our family, and these soft sugar cookies represent everything we believe about baking—simple ingredients, straightforward techniques, and results that bring people together.

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these cookies will become a beloved staple in your home too. The combination of pillowy texture, sweet vanilla flavor, and colorful frosting creates something truly special. Make a batch this weekend and watch them disappear!