Lofthouse Cookies Copycat: The Easy Homemade Recipe

Name: Lofthouse Cookies Copycat
Prep time: 1 h 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: – 1/2 cup softened butter Creates rich, tender crumb and even browning; – 1 cup sugar Provides sweetness and structure for chewy texture; – 1 egg Adds moisture, binding, and lift for pillowy centers; – 1/2 cup sour cream Delivers signature softness and subtle tang; – 1 tsp vanilla Infuses classic warm flavor throughout; – 2 3/4 cups flour Forms the base; all-purpose for tender bite; – 1/2 tsp baking soda Helps cookies rise and spread just right; – 1/2 tsp baking powder Boosts lift for fluffy results; – 1/4 tsp salt Balances sweetness and enhances flavors; – 4 cups powdered sugar Builds thick, spreadable sweetness; – 1/2 cup butter Gives glossy, creamy mouthfeel; – 3 tbsp milk Adjusts consistency for smooth frosting; – 1 tsp vanilla Complements dough with extra depth; – Gel food coloring Allows vibrant hues without thinning; – Sprinkles Adds festive crunch and visual appeal

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Why You’ll Love This Lofthouse Cookies Copycat

Craving those soft, frosted sugar cookies from the store but want a homemade twist? This Lofthouse cookies copycat recipe delivers the exact pillowy texture and sweet frosting without leaving your kitchen. Perfect for baking enthusiasts and busy parents alike, it captures the nostalgic taste everyone adores.

Ease of preparation: Whip up this lofthouse cookies copycat in under 30 minutes of active time. With straightforward steps and common pantry staples, even beginners succeed. Chill the dough briefly, bake, and frost no fancy equipment needed, just standard cookie sheets and a mixer.
Health benefits: Made with sour cream for moisture, these soft sugar cookies offer a touch more protein than typical recipes. Control sugar levels easily, and opt for whole grain flour swaps to boost fiber. Each cookie provides a satisfying treat with balanced indulgence, ideal for diet-conscious individuals.

Versatility: Adapt this homemade lofthouse cookies recipe for vegan, gluten-free, or low-calorie needs. Switch flavors with extracts or add-ins, making it suitable for students, seniors, or working professionals hosting events.
Distinctive flavor: Sour cream creates that signature tangy softness, paired with glossy buttercream frosting tinted any color. Sprinkles add fun crunch, mimicking store-bought perfection while tasting fresher and better.

Families rave about this copycat lofthouse cookies recipe for parties or everyday snacks. Bake a batch today and see why it outshines the original.

Jump To

1. Why You’ll Love This Lofthouse Cookies Copycat
2. Essential Ingredients for Lofthouse Cookies Copycat
3. How to Prepare the Perfect Lofthouse Cookies Copycat: Step-by-Step Guide
4. Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Lofthouse Cookies Copycat
5. Mastering Lofthouse Cookies Copycat: Advanced Tips and Variations
6. How to Store Lofthouse Cookies Copycat: Best Practices
7. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Lofthouse Cookies Copycat
8. Lofthouse Cookies Copycat

Essential Ingredients for Lofthouse Cookies Copycat

Gather these precise ingredients for your lofthouse cookies copycat. This list ensures spot-on results for 24 soft frosted cookies.

Main Ingredients (Dough):

1/2 cup softened butter – Creates rich, tender crumb and even browning.

1 cup sugar – Provides sweetness and structure for chewy texture.
1 egg – Adds moisture, binding, and lift for pillowy centers.
1/2 cup sour cream – Delivers signature softness and subtle tang.

1 tsp vanilla – Infuses classic warm flavor throughout.
2 3/4 cups flour – Forms the base; all-purpose for tender bite.
1/2 tsp baking soda – Helps cookies rise and spread just right.
1/2 tsp baking powder – Boosts lift for fluffy results.

1/4 tsp salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.

Frosting Ingredients:

4 cups powdered sugar – Builds thick, spreadable sweetness.
1/2 cup butter – Gives glossy, creamy mouthfeel.
3 tbsp milk – Adjusts consistency for smooth frosting.
1 tsp vanilla – Complements dough with extra depth.
Gel food coloring – Allows vibrant hues without thinning.
Sprinkles – Adds festive crunch and visual appeal.

Special Dietary Options:

Vegan: Use vegan butter, aquafaba for egg, coconut yogurt for sour cream, and plant milk in frosting.
Gluten-free: Swap flour with 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
Low-calorie: Reduce sugar by 1/4 cup, use light sour cream, and Greek yogurt frosting base.

Ingredient	Standard Amount	Dietary Swap
Butter	1/2 cup (dough + frosting)	Vegan butter
Sour Cream	1/2 cup	Greek yogurt
Flour	2 3/4 cups	GF blend

How to Prepare the Perfect Lofthouse Cookies Copycat: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow this detailed guide for your best copycat lofthouse cookies recipe. Preheat oven to 350°F and line sheets with parchment for easy release. Yields 24 cookies; total time about 2 hours including chill.

Prepare Your Mise en Place

First Step: Soften 1/2 cup butter at room temperature for 30 minutes. Measure all ingredients accurately using dry cups for flour and liquids for milk. This setup prevents rushed errors and ensures smooth mixing.

Second Step: In a large bowl, cream softened butter with 1 cup sugar using a hand mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape sides often for even texture. This incorporates air for tenderness.

Third Step: Beat in 1 egg, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 1 tsp vanilla until fully combined, about 1 minute. Mixture may look curdled that’s normal and resolves with dry adds.

Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine

Fourth Step: In a separate bowl, whisk 2 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Gradually add to wet mixture on low speed, mixing just until dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies soft.

Fifth Step: Cover dough and chill in fridge for 1 hour. Chilling firms butter, preventing spread for thick, pillowy shapes.

Shape, Bake, and Cool

Sixth Step: Scoop 2-tbsp dough balls onto parchment-lined sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with damp fingers or glass bottom for even rounds.

Seventh Step: Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Edges set but centers stay soft do not overbake. Cool on sheets 5 minutes, then transfer to racks fully.

Make and Apply Frosting

Pro tip: Frost only completely cooled cookies to avoid melt and slide.

Eighth Step: Beat 1/2 cup butter, 4 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp milk, and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth. Add gel food coloring drop by drop for pastel shades.

Ninth Step: Spread 1-2 tbsp frosting per cookie with offset spatula. Top with sprinkles immediately before sets.

Final Step: Let frosting firm 30 minutes. Serve fresh or store as below. Enjoy your homemade lofthouse cookies soft, sweet perfection!

Expand on troubleshooting: If dough sticky, add 1 tbsp flour. High altitude? Reduce baking powder to 1/4 tsp. These details make your lofthouse style frosted cookies foolproof.

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Lofthouse Cookies Copycat

Protein and Main Component Alternatives

For egg (protein binder), use 3 tbsp aquafaba or flax egg (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water). Main flour component: swap all-purpose for almond flour (reduce to 2 1/2 cups + 1/4 cup oat for binding) or cake flour minus 2 tbsp per cup for extra tenderness. These keep structure in soft sugar cookies.

Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications

No veggies here, but add zucchini puree (1/4 cup) for moisture in low-cal versions. Sauce swaps: milk in frosting to almond or oat milk. Seasonings: vanilla to almond extract, or add lemon zest for bright twist. Adjust for seasons pumpkin puree fall sub for sour cream. Always chill post-subs.

Check our gluten-free cookie adaptations for more ideas.

Mastering Lofthouse Cookies Copycat: Advanced Tips and Variations

Pro cooking techniques: Use room-temp ingredients for emulsion. Weigh flour (350g) for precision. Bake one sheet middle rack for even heat.
Flavor variations: Chocolate chip add-ins, red velvet with cocoa + food color, or lemon via zest/extract. Try lemon oatmeal cookies for inspo.

Presentation tips: Pipe frosting borders, layer sprinkles by color. Stack on cake stands for parties.
Make-ahead options: Freeze dough balls 3 months. Bake fresh. Frosted cookies fridge 1 week.

For authenticity, see the original Lofthouse cookie recipe. Vary for holidays with green tint and shamrock sprinkles.

How to Store Lofthouse Cookies Copycat: Best Practices

Refrigeration: Layer in airtight container with parchment; up to 1 week. Room temp 4-5 days max.
Freezing: Unfrosted: bags up to 3 months. Frosted: single layers 2 months. Thaw 30 min.
Reheating: Microwave 10 sec or oven 300°F 2 min. Avoid sogginess.

Meal prep considerations: Batch bake weekends, portion for grabs. Label freezes.

Proper storage keeps your easy homemade lofthouse cookies fresh-tasting.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Lofthouse Cookies Copycat

How do I make Lofthouse cookies copycat at home?

Making Lofthouse cookies copycat is simple with these steps for soft, frosted sugar cookies. Cream 1/2 cup softened butter with 1 cup sugar until fluffy. Add 1 egg, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix dry ingredients: 2 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Combine wet and dry to form dough; chill 1 hour. Scoop 2-tbsp balls, flatten slightly on parchment-lined sheets. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers soft. Cool completely. For frosting, beat 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 3 tbsp milk, 1 tsp vanilla, and gel food coloring. Frost and add sprinkles. Yields 24 cookies. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days. (98 words)

What makes copycat Lofthouse cookies so soft and pillowy?

The key to soft, pillowy copycat Lofthouse cookies is sour cream in the dough, which adds moisture and tenderness without making them cakey. Use cake flour or a mix of all-purpose and cornstarch for a finer crumb. Avoid overbaking—pull them out when edges barely brown, as they firm up while cooling. Chill dough at least 1 hour to prevent spreading. Room-temperature butter creams smoothly for even texture. In frosting, shortening or butter with powdered sugar creates that signature glossy spread. Test batches adjust for humidity; add 1 tsp more sour cream if needed. These tweaks replicate the store-bought chew perfectly. (102 words)

Can I freeze Lofthouse cookies copycat dough or baked cookies?

Yes, freeze Lofthouse cookies copycat dough or baked cookies easily. For dough, portion into balls, place on a tray to freeze solid (2 hours), then transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes. For baked cookies, cool fully, frost if desired, and freeze in single layers between parchment in bags for 2 months. Thaw at room temp 30 minutes before serving; frosting softens nicely. Unfrosted cookies freeze best for texture. Label bags with dates. This method saves time for holidays—bake fresh anytime. (92 words)

How long do homemade Lofthouse cookies copycat stay fresh?

Homemade Lofthouse cookies copycat stay fresh 4-5 days at room temperature in an airtight container, thanks to sour cream’s moisture retention. Refrigerate up to 1 week in a single layer to prevent frosting smudging; bring to room temp before eating. For longer storage, freeze as noted earlier. Avoid stacking warm cookies to dodge sogginess. In humid areas, add silica packets to containers. Signs of spoilage: dry edges or off odors. Pro tip: individually wrap extras for grab-and-go freshness. With proper storage, they taste just-baked longer than store versions. (89 words)

What substitutions work in Lofthouse cookies copycat recipe?

Common substitutions for Lofthouse cookies copycat keep results authentic. Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt or buttermilk (same amount) for tang. Use margarine for butter if dairy-free, but real butter boosts flavor. Gluten-free? Try 1:1 baking blend flour. Vegan: aquafaba for egg, coconut yogurt for sour cream, vegan butter. No vanilla extract? Almond works. Reduce sugar by 1/4 cup for less sweet. Always chill dough. Test one batch first. These changes maintain softness; full dairy versions are closest to original. See our gluten-free sugar cookies guide for more adaptations. (96 words)

Copycat Lofthouse Cookies Easy Homemade Recipe