Frosted Lofthouse Cookies
If you’re looking for the ultimate soft and sweet treat, you’ve landed in the right place! Frosted Lofthouse Cookies are those delightful, fluffy cookies that are almost cake-like in texture, topped with vibrant icing and often adorned with sprinkles. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just a sweet indulgence any day of the week, these cookies are sure to bring a smile to your face. With a buttery flavor and a touch of almond essence, they capture that nostalgic feel of classic cookies you might remember from childhood. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to bake a batch of these irresistible Frosted Lofthouse Cookies!
Why It Works Every Time
The secret to achieving the perfect Frosted Lofthouse Cookies lies in the balance of ingredients and the method used. Using butter at room temperature ensures a creamy mixture that traps air for fluffiness. The addition of sour cream keeps these cookies moist and tender, while the combination of baking soda and baking powder provides just the right amount of leavening. Each ingredient plays a pivotal role, resulting in cookies that are not only soft but also flavorful.
Shopping List
- Butter: 1 cup, at room temperature
- Sugar: 1 cup
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
- Almond flavoring: 1 teaspoon (adds a lovely depth of flavor)
- Baking soda: 1 teaspoon
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Sour cream: 1 cup (for moisture and tang)
- Eggs: 2 large
- Flour: 3 cups (all-purpose for the best texture)
- For the frosting: powdered sugar, butter, milk, and food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles: for decoration (optional)
Appliances & Accessories
- Hand mixer or stand mixer: for easy creaming of butter and sugar
- Baking sheets: lined with parchment paper for easy removal
- Mixing bowls: for combining ingredients
- Cookie cutters: optional, for fun shapes
- Cooling rack: to cool cookies evenly
Directions: Frosted Lofthouse Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and thoroughly.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of room temperature butter and 1 cup of sugar. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Flavors
Add in 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of almond flavoring to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients with Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with 1 cup of sour cream. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
Step 6: Scoop the Dough
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked, but they will firm up as they cool.
Step 8: Cool the Cookies
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 9: Prepare the Frosting
In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of softened butter with 4 cups of powdered sugar. Add 2-3 tablespoons of milk and beat until smooth. Add food coloring if desired, mixing until evenly colored.
Step 10: Frost the Cookies
Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a generous layer of frosting on each cookie and top with sprinkles if desired. Allow the frosting to set before serving.
Year-Round Variations
- Seasonal Sprinkles: Use themed sprinkles for holidays like red and green for Christmas or pastel colors for Easter.
- Flavor Variations: Swap out almond flavoring for lemon or orange extract for a citrus twist.
- Chocolate Frosting: Change up the frosting by using chocolate instead of vanilla for a rich flavor.
- Cookie Sandwiches: Create cookie sandwiches by adding a layer of frosting between two cookies.
Learn from These Mistakes
- Overmixing: Be careful not to overmix the dough once you add the flour. This can lead to tough cookies.
- Not Cooling: Ensure cookies are completely cool before frosting; warm cookies can cause the frosting to melt.
- Measuring Flour: Always spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off for accuracy; too much flour can make cookies dry.
- Oven Temperature: Make sure your oven is properly calibrated; an incorrect temperature can lead to undercooked or burnt cookies.
Refrigerate, Freeze, Reheat
Frosted Lofthouse Cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. To freeze, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply let them sit at room temperature for a bit or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Troubleshooting Q&A
Why are my cookies flat?
Flat cookies can result from overmixing the dough, insufficient flour, or not using enough leavening agents. Ensure you measure accurately and mix just until combined.
How can I make my cookies softer?
To achieve softer cookies, ensure you use room temperature butter and add sour cream, as this ingredient helps maintain moisture. Also, avoid overbaking!
What if my frosting is too runny?
If your frosting is too runny, gradually add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency. It should be thick enough to hold its shape.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Bring it back to room temperature before baking.
Wrap-Up
In conclusion, Frosted Lofthouse Cookies are not just a treat; they are a delightful experience that can bring joy to any occasion. With their incredibly soft texture and sweet frosting, they are bound to be a hit with friends and family alike. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or experiment with variations, these cookies are sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. So gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy the sweet rewards of your labor. Happy baking!
Frosted Lofthouse Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and thoroughly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of room temperature butter and 1 cup of sugar. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of almond flavoring to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with 1 cup of sour cream. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked, but they will firm up as they cool.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of softened butter with 4 cups of powdered sugar. Add 2-3 tablespoons of milk and beat until smooth. Add food coloring if desired, mixing until evenly colored.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a generous layer of frosting on each cookie and top with sprinkles if desired. Allow the frosting to set before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for the best texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough to keep cookies soft and tender.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
