Lofthouse Cookies
Tessa’s Recipe Overview
TASTE: Sweet without being overly sugary, with hints of vanilla and almond, alongside that familiar nostalgic floury taste that characterizes Lofthouse Cookies.
TEXTURE: A soft, slightly cakey cookie topped with an icing that firms up perfectly without becoming hard. The sprinkles on top provide a delightful crunch.
EASE: This recipe is very simple to follow.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: It tastes just like the original, but even better!
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Copycat Lofthouse Cookies are delightful bites that evoke a sense of nostalgia!
Although I’ve always liked store-bought Lofthouse Cookies, they taste a bit too artificial for my liking. Therefore, I set out to make a homemade version that captures that nostalgic essence but with an improved flavor.
Creating nostalgic childhood treats from scratch is always a great experience. I've previously done so with recipes like Homemade Oreo Cookies, crunchy Milano Cookies, and soft, chewy Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies. These cookies turned out just as amazing as the others!
Free Cookie Customization Guide!
A science-based guide to help you bake perfect cookies every time!
My team was completely enamored with these copycat cookies! Emily from Team HTH compared the flavor of the cookie dough to funfetti cake batter, expressing her wish that she could enjoy these “constantly.”
These cookies are thick, soft, and have a well-balanced sweetness. The icing sets beautifully, making them easy to handle. Plus, you can customize the icing color for any occasion, season, or holiday (for inspiration, check out my Christmas Lofthouse Cookies!).
Sprinkle of Science
How to Make Lofthouse Cookies
What are Lofthouse Cookies?
Lofthouse Cookies, also known as Lofthouse Sugar Cookies, are mass-produced cookies found in most grocery stores in the U.S., including larger retailers like Walmart and Target. The store-bought varieties are thick, fluffy, exceptionally sweet sugar cookies topped with a firm buttercream-style frosting and sprinkled with colorful toppings.
These cookies come in various seasonal icing colors throughout the year, though the “classic” Lofthouse Cookie features pink icing with rainbow sprinkles.
Tips for Making Perfect Lofthouse Cookies
Accurately measure your flour: I highly suggest using a digital kitchen scale to weigh your ingredients, particularly your flour. Using too much flour can result in dry and hard cookies! If you don’t have a scale, use the spoon and level method.
Sour Cream + Cornstarch: Both ingredients are essential for creating soft, fluffy, cakey sugar cookies reminiscent of a true Lofthouse Cookie.
Butter temperature: To avoid greasy cookies that spread too much, make sure your butter is at a cool room temperature, around 67°F is ideal. You can learn more about the importance of butter temperature in baking here.
Avoid overbaking: Bake these cookies just until the tops look dry, while the edges remain pale. Overbaking will lead to dry cookies.
What Type of Food Coloring is Recommended?
I suggest using gel food coloring, such as Americolor Gel Food Coloring. It provides bright colors with only a small amount needed, without adding extra liquid that could alter the icing's consistency. You can find it on Amazon or at cake supply stores.
If you prefer, feel free to omit the dye for a simple white cookie icing.
Can I Halve This Recipe? Can I Double This Recipe?
Absolutely! Just halve all the ingredients to make about 12 cookies, or double them to yield around 48 cookies. No additional changes are necessary.
Storing & Freezing Lofthouse Cookies
Keep Lofthouse Cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 6 days.
For freezing, place them inside an airtight container with parchment or wax paper between the layers to avoid sticking. They can be frozen for up to 6 weeks. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then allow them to come to room temperature before serving. Note that the sprinkles may bleed during the thawing process.
More Cookie Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
Photos by Joanie Simon.
For the cookies:
▢ 2 ¾ cups (350 grams) all-purpose flour
▢ 1/4 cup (33 grams) cornstarch
▢ 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
▢ 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
▢ 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
▢ 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
▢ 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
▢ 1 large egg, at room temperature
▢ 1/3 cup (75 grams) sour cream, at room temperature
▢ 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
▢ 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, optional but highly recommended
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