Lofthouse Cookies Recipe | Soft and Delicious
Lofthouse Cookies are a beloved treat that many remember fondly from childhood. Known for their soft and cake-like texture, these cookies are topped with a sweet pink frosting and colorful sprinkles, making them visually appealing and delicious. Baking these delightful cookies at home allows anyone to recreate that nostalgic experience while enjoying the satisfaction of a homemade dessert.
With simple ingredients and a straightforward process, preparing Lofthouse Cookies is accessible for bakers of all skill levels. This article will share tips and tricks for achieving the perfect cookie, along with variations for other popular cookies to try.
Key Takeaways
- Lofthouse Cookies are soft, sugary treats topped with frosting and sprinkles.
- Baking these cookies at home is easy and fun for all skill levels.
- Additional cookie recipes provide great options for those wanting to explore new flavors.
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Where Did Lofthouse Cookies Originate?
Lofthouse cookies have been around since the 1990s. The Lofthouse brand was founded by a family-owned bakery in Utah, and the cookies quickly gained popularity across the United States. They became known for their unique, cake-like texture and vibrant decorations.
Why Are They So Popular?
The popularity of Lofthouse cookies can be attributed to their unique texture and appearance. Unlike traditional sugar cookies, Lofthouse cookies are soft and airy, almost like a small cake. Their bright, colorful frosting and decorations also make them a favorite for holidays and special events.
What Makes Lofthouse Cookies Different?
The Unique Texture
The texture of Lofthouse cookies is what sets them apart from other sugar cookies. They are soft and pillowy, with a melt-in-your-mouth quality that’s hard to resist. This texture comes from a combination of ingredients that give the cookies a cake-like consistency.
The Signature Frosting
The frosting on Lofthouse cookies is another standout feature. It’s thick, sweet, and creamy, providing the perfect contrast to the soft cookie base. The frosting is often dyed in bright colors and topped with sprinkles, adding to the cookie’s appeal.
Perfect for Celebrations
Lofthouse cookies are often associated with celebrations. Their festive appearance makes them a popular choice for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. Whether it’s Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or a simple family gathering, Lofthouse cookies add a touch of fun to any event.
Soft and frosted Lofthouse cookies with colorful sprinkles, perfect for any celebration.
Reasons Why This Recipe Stands Out
This cookie recipe brings back childhood memories for many. It recreates the delightful taste of Lofthouse cookies found in stores, without the need for rolling or cutting the dough. The texture is soft and cake-like, ensuring the cookies hold their round shape while baking, avoiding any spreading or crisp edges.
Key features include:
- Soft, fluffy texture that avoids spreading
- No need for complicated dough preparation
- Delicious, sweet frosting that rivals bakery treats
- A homemade version that surpasses store-bought options
The creator focused on achieving a tender cookie similar to ricotta and cheesecake cookies, making sure to get it just right through careful testing.
Ingredient Notes
- Cake Flour: This flour has less protein compared to all-purpose flour, resulting in a lighter texture and color. It helps create softer cookies. Accurate measuring is key for the best results.
- Cornstarch: This ingredient prevents the cookies from spreading too much, helping them maintain a soft and tender quality.
- Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent, creating a nice rise in the cookies without causing them to spread excessively.
- Sour Cream: Adding sour cream keeps the cookies moist and soft for several days, enhancing their overall texture.
- Almond and Vanilla Extracts: These extracts bring a flavor that mimics the classic taste of store-bought Lofthouse cookies. If almond isn’t preferred, it can be omitted, or a splash of lemon extract can provide a delightful citrus note.
- Unsalted Butter: This ingredient adds richness and flavor without the risk of additional saltiness in the cookie dough.
- Pink Gel Food Coloring: Used to achieve the signature color in the frosting. Any color can be chosen, but pink remains a popular and iconic choice.
How to Make Lofthouse Cookies
To prepare the dough, start by creaming butter and sugar until light and airy. Next, mix in eggs, extracts, and sour cream. Gradually add the dry ingredients, combining them well but avoiding overmixing.
Next, the dough needs to chill. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to rest in the fridge for a minimum of one hour. This step helps the cookies retain their shape during baking.
When ready to bake, scoop approximately three tablespoons of dough and roll it into a smooth ball. Place each ball onto a baking sheet. Using the bottom of a glass or a measuring cup, gently press down on each ball to flatten it slightly. Bake until the edges take on a light golden hue.
For the frosting, beat the butter until fluffy, then incorporate the other ingredients thoroughly. Once the cookies have cooled, frost them generously and finish with colorful sprinkles. To achieve an authentic look, leave a small edge of each cookie unfrosted.
Helpful Hints
- Avoid Overbaking: For cookies with a soft texture, bake for only a few minutes. If they start to brown, they have cooked too long.
- Pan Rotation: Midway through baking, rotate the pan. This helps ensure that each cookie bakes evenly.
- Use Powdered Sugar: Lightly dusting hands with powdered sugar can prevent the dough from sticking while shaping the cookies.
- Keeping Cookies Fresh: Store frosted cookies in an airtight container. They will remain soft and tasty for about three days.
- Freezing Dough: Follow proper techniques to freeze cookie dough for future use.
Lofthouse Cookies :
Lofthouse Cookies
Indulge in the delightful experience of baking your own Lofthouse Cookies at home. These iconic soft sugar cookies are famous for their tender, cake-like texture and are crowned with a rich layer of pink frosting and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can recreate these beloved bakery treats right in your kitchen.
Ingredients
- For the Cookies:
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream, at room temperature
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Frosting:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Dash of kosher salt
- 1 drop pink gel food coloring
- ¼ cup jimmies (colored sprinkles)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine cake flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, and baking powder. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly and set the bowl aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Next, incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until everything is well combined.
- Stir in the room-temperature sour cream, ensuring it's fully blended into the butter mixture. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl, ensuring an even mixture.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding them in just until combined. Be cautious not to overmix the dough to maintain the soft texture of the cookies. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour.
- Once the dough is chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- To portion the dough, scoop out about 3 tablespoons per cookie. Dust your hands with powdered sugar to prevent the dough from sticking, and roll each portion into a ball. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 3 inches between each one.
- Flatten each dough ball slightly using the bottom of a glass or a flat measuring cup that has been dipped in powdered sugar. Aim for the cookies to be between ¼” and ½” thick.
- Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through the baking time. The cookies should be just set and lightly golden on the edges, but not brown. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before frosting.
- For the frosting, beat the softened butter until it becomes creamy and light in color. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, followed by the vanilla extract, a dash of kosher salt, and heavy cream (one tablespoon at a time). Continue beating until the frosting reaches a smooth and spreadable consistency. If desired, add a drop of pink gel food coloring to tint the frosting.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, frost each one, leaving a small border around the edge of the cookie. Top the frosted cookies with jimmies or your favorite sprinkles.
Notes
Nutritional Information
This recipe provides a tasty alternative for cookie lovers. With a simple process requiring no rolling or cutting, these cookies deliver a cake-like texture that satisfies any sweet craving. Each ingredient contributes to a delicious flavor profile, making these a favorite for gatherings and personal treats alike.
| Nutritional Aspect | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | X kcal |
| Total Fat | X g |
| Saturated Fat | X g |
| Cholesterol | X mg |
| Sodium | X mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | X g |
| Dietary Fiber | X g |
| Sugars | X g |
| Protein | X g |
Ensure to adjust according to specific ingredients used for a more accurate nutritional calculation.
