Okay, here we go! Let’s dive into the world of Frosted Lofthouse Cookies! These soft, pillowy clouds of sweetness are a weakness of mine. I still remember the first time I saw them in the grocery store as a kid. Those pastel-colored frosted sugar cookies seemed so fancy and perfect. Little did I know how easy it is to make them at home – and how much fun!
My family loves it when I make Frosted Lofthouse Cookies, and I love that it doesn’t take a ton of effort for a dessert that is satisfying. Plus, there’s just something so comforting about biting into a Frosted Lofthouse Cookie that melts in your mouth. It’s a little bit of happiness in every bite. It feels like a win when the kids love it and I know what all the ingredients are! If you’re a busy mom looking for a simple, comforting treat to bake for your family, this is the recipe for you!
INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these melt-in-your-mouth Frosted Lofthouse Cookies. Don’t worry – it’s all pretty standard stuff you can grab at your local grocery store.

- All-purpose flour: 3 cups – The foundation of our cookies.
- Granulated sugar: 1 ½ cups – For sweetness and that perfect, slightly crisp edge.
- Baking powder: 2 teaspoons – Gives these cookies their signature puffiness.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon – Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors.
- Unsalted butter: ½ cup (1 stick), softened – Adds richness and tenderness.
- Vegetable shortening: ½ cup – This is key for that soft, almost cake-like texture that we associate with Frosted Lofthouse Cookies.
- Eggs: 2 large – Binds everything together and adds moisture.
- Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons – For a classic, comforting flavor.
- Sour cream: ½ cup – This is my secret weapon! Sour cream adds tang and keeps these Lofthouse sugar cookies incredibly moist. You can find similar details on how to make your cookies moist from Soft Lofthouse Style Frosted Sugar Cookies with Sour Cream …
- Milk: 2 tablespoons – To adjust the dough consistency.
- Powdered sugar: 4 cups – The base of our sweet, creamy frosting.
- Unsalted butter: ½ cup (1 stick), softened – Makes the frosting rich and spreadable.
- Milk: 4-6 tablespoons – To reach the perfect frosting consistency.
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon – Adds a touch of flavor to the frosting.
- Food coloring: Gel food coloring, if desired – For that classic pastel look.
Trust me, this Frosted Lofthouse Cookies ingredient list is simple because busy moms need comfort without complexity! You can find these simple ingredients at your regular grocery store. Don’t have shortening on hand? While it does give the cookies that signature texture, you can substitute with butter. Just be aware that the cookies might spread a little more during baking. My family gets extra comfort when I add a tiny bit of almond extract to the frosting. It adds a subtle, nutty flavor that complements the vanilla perfectly.
It’s also good to know that these are budget friendly, proving delicious doesn’t mean expensive!
Let’s Make it Happen!
Alright, fellow comfort seekers, let’s get baking! Here’s how to make these soft, dreamy Frosted Lofthouse Cookies:
- Get Started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures the Lofthouse sugar cookies don’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make sure everything is evenly distributed. This step is important for consistent texture.
- Cream the Fats: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and shortening until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. This is where you build the base for a soft cookie.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream. The batter might look a little curdled at this point, but don’t worry, it will all come together.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. If the dough seems too dry, add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it forms a soft, pliable dough. In my busy kitchen, this comforting Frosted Lofthouse Cookies dough usually takes about 10 minutes to come together.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial! Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and helps them maintain their shape. Perfect time to prep tomorrow’s lunch!
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about ½ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. I use circles, but feel free to get creative!
- Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still be soft. Don’t worry if your Frosted Lofthouse Cookies look a little pale – that’s how they’re supposed to be! Check out Preppy Kitchen’s tips for making the perfect Lofthouse cookies at Lofthouse Cookies – Preppy Kitchen.
- Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is important because frosting warm cookies will cause the frosting to melt.
- Make the Frosting: While the cookies are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Frost and Decorate: Divide the frosting into separate bowls and tint each bowl with a different color of food coloring. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Here’s where I used to struggle with my Frosted Lofthouse Cookies – learn from my experience: don’t add too much milk to the frosting! A little goes a long way.
- Enjoy: Let the frosting set for a few minutes before serving. Take a moment to appreciate creating comfort for your family! You’ve just made Frosted Lofthouse Cookies that are sure to bring smiles.
How We Love to Eat This!
Okay, so you’ve got a batch of delicious Frosted Lofthouse Cookies – now what? Here’s how my family loves to enjoy them:
- With a Glass of Milk: This is the classic pairing, of course! The kids devour this comforting Frosted Lofthouse Cookies when I serve it with a cold glass of milk.
- As an After-School Treat: These cookies are the perfect pick-me-up after a long day at school.
- For Special Occasions: Birthdays, holidays, or just because – these cookies always make a special occasion even sweeter. This Frosted Lofthouse Cookies is perfect for those busy weeknights when we need comfort food fast!
- Packed in School Lunches: A little surprise to brighten their day! Just make sure the frosting is set so it doesn’t get messy.
- With Coffee or Tea: I love to enjoy one of these cookies with my morning coffee or afternoon tea.
- As a Dessert for Guests: These cookies are always a hit with friends and family. They look so pretty on a platter!
- Seasonal Variations: Try adding different extracts or spices to the dough for a festive twist. Almond extract for the holidays, lemon extract for spring – the possibilities are endless! The possibilities are endless just like with these Halloween Crinkle Cookies.
We love to serve our Frosted Lofthouse Cookies on a pretty platter. Sometimes I add a few fresh berries for a pop of color. For leftover ideas, crumbled Frosted Lofthouse Cookies over ice cream. YUM! I even had a friend say that they taste better than the Grocery store cookies, so it must be a hit.
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
I know you probably have some questions, so let’s tackle them! Here are some common concerns I hear from fellow busy moms about making Frosted Lofthouse Cookies:
Final Thoughts:
- Don’t skip the chilling step! It makes a huge difference in the texture of the cookies.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant, pastel colors.
- Add a touch of almond extract to the frosting for a unique flavor.
- Chocolate Lofthouse Cookies: Add cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolatey twist.
- Lemon Lofthouse Cookies: Add lemon zest and extract to the dough for a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Sprinkle Lofthouse Cookies: Roll the edges of the cookies in sprinkles before baking for a fun, festive look.

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Frosted Lofthouse Cookies
These soft and pillowy Lofthouse cookies are topped with a creamy, sweet frosting and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for a party or a sweet treat any time of day!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sour cream
Frosting:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles, for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frosting: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Gradually add the milk and vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy.
- If desired, add food coloring to the frosting.
- Frost the cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles.
Notes
For extra soft cookies, don’t overbake them. They should still be slightly soft in the center. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

