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Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies – Thick, Fluffy & Topped With Dreamy Buttercream Frosting

These Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies taste just like the iconic grocery-store favorites — ultra soft, cakey, melt-in-your-mouth, and topped with a thick layer of fluffy buttercream and sprinkles. They’re lightly sweet, delicately flavored with vanilla and almond, and have that signature pillowy texture that makes Lofthouse cookies so addictive. Unlike traditional sugar cookies, these are leavened and enriched — giving them a plush, almost cupcake-like crumb inside while still holding a beautiful round shape. With pastel frosting and colorful sprinkles, they’re perfect for holidays, birthdays, cookie boxes, and every celebration in between.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 20 Cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

  • Soft Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Dough
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup full-fat sour cream
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Fluffy Lofthouse-Style Frosting
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Food coloring optional
  • Sprinkles
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Equipment

  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Cookie scoop
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Rolling pin (optional)
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

Step 1: Cream Butter, Sugar & Sour Cream
  1. Beat together:
  2. softened butter
  3. sugar
  4. Mix 2–3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  5. Add sour cream and beat again until blended.
  6. Add:
  7. egg
  8. vanilla
  9. almond extract
  10. Beat until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl combine:
  2. flour
  3. baking powder
  4. baking soda
  5. salt
Step 3: Combine
  1. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix on low until a thick, soft dough forms.
  2. Dough should be slightly sticky and pillow-like — don’t add extra flour.
  3. Chill 30 minutes for easier handling.
Step 4: Shape & Bake
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Scoop dough into 2–3 tbsp balls.
  3. Gently flatten tops with your palm — Lofthouse cookies don’t spread much.
  4. Place 2 inches apart on lined baking sheets.
  5. Bake 9–11 minutes:
  6. edges should stay pale
  7. centers soft
  8. tops slightly puffed
  9. Do NOT let them brown — pale = soft and fluffy.
  10. Cool completely on a rack before frosting.
Step 5: Make the Lofthouse Frosting
    Beat:
    1. softened butter
    2. powdered sugar
    3. Add heavy cream + vanilla and beat until fluffy and spreadable.
    4. Tint with pastel coloring if desired.
    Step 6: Frost & Decorate
    1. Spread a thick layer of buttercream on each cooled cookie.
    2. Top with sprinkles for that iconic Lofthouse look.

    Notes

    🧊 Storage & Freezing

    Room Temperature: 3–4 days
    Fridge: 1 week
    Freezer:
    Frosted: freeze in a single layer, then stack
    Unfrosted: freeze up to 2 months

    🥄 Variations

    Birthday Cake Lofthouse Cookies
    Add sprinkles directly into the dough.
    Almond Bakery Cookies
    Add extra almond extract + almond frosting.
    Chocolate Lofthouse Cookies
    Add ¼ cup cocoa powder + more cream.
    Cream Cheese Frosting Version
    Replace 2 tbsp butter with cream cheese.
    Holiday Frosting Colors
    Red, green, pastel Easter shades, Valentine pink, etc.
    Lemon Lofthouse Cookies
    Add lemon zest + lemon frosting.
    Gluten-Free Lofthouse Cookies
    Use a 1:1 GF flour blend.
    Peppermint Lofthouse Cookies
    Add peppermint extract + crushed candy canes.
    Maple Frosted Lofthouse Cookies
    Add maple extract to frosting.
    Strawberry Lofthouse Cookies
    Add strawberry powder to frosting.

    ❓ 10 FAQs

    Why are mine dense?
    Overmixing — mix dry ingredients only until combined.
    Why didn’t they spread?
    They’re meant to stay thick and fluffy.
    Can I skip sour cream?
    No — it’s key for soft, cakey texture.
    Can I chill dough overnight?
    Yes — let soften slightly before scooping.
    Can I use Greek yogurt?
    Yes — full-fat only.
    Why pale cookies?
    Lofthouse-style cookies should NOT brown.
    Why use almond extract?
    Classic Lofthouse flavor profile.
    How do I get perfectly smooth frosting?
    Beat frosting for 3–4 minutes.
    Can I pipe the frosting?
    Yes — use a round or star tip.
    Can kids help?
    Absolutely — ideal for decorating.

    🏁 Conclusion

    These Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies are soft, cakey, richly flavored, and topped with a dreamy swirl of vanilla buttercream — delivering that iconic bakery-style experience right at home. Perfectly sweet, beautifully tender, and irresistibly charming, they’ll become your go-to soft cookie recipe for any occasion.
    A classic, nostalgic treat made even better from scratch.