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Lofthouse Sugar Cookies (Copycat Recipe) Recipe

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4.5 from 61 reviews

This Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies recipe delivers soft, fluffy sugar cookies topped with a thick, creamy frosting. Perfectly sweet and tender, these cookies replicate the popular bakery style treat with a buttery flavored dough and a rich vanilla buttercream frosting, ideal for decorating and sharing.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup (222g) margarine, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups (137g) powdered sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp butter extract
  • 2 1/2 cups (295g) cake flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Frosting

  • 1/4 cup (55g) margarine
  • 1 1/2 cups (165g) powdered sugar
  • Approx 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy whipping cream, plus more as needed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp butter extract
  • Gel food coloring (optional)
  • Sprinkles (for decoration, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F (180° C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
  2. Cream Margarine and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, cream together 1 cup margarine and 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring a well-blended base for the dough.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and butter extract to the creamed mixture. Mix on high speed until the batter is evenly combined and smooth, achieving a light texture.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms, avoiding overmixing to keep cookies tender.
  5. Rest Dough: Let the dough rest for 10 minutes at room temperature to make it easier to handle and roll out.
  6. Shape Cookies: Using a #24 scoop (about 3 tablespoons), scoop the dough and roll each portion into a ball until smooth with no cracks. Gently flatten each ball to resemble a hockey puck and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
  7. Bake: Bake the cookies at 350° F (180° C) for 9-11 minutes, or until they slightly spread and the centers no longer look wet. Remove promptly before any browning occurs to keep the soft texture.
  8. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which is essential prior to frosting.
  9. Make Frosting: In a clean bowl, cream 1/4 cup margarine until smooth using your mixer. Alternately add 1/2 cup powdered sugar and a small splash of heavy cream, mixing thoroughly between additions. Repeat until all powdered sugar is incorporated and the frosting remains thick.
  10. Flavor and Thin Frosting: Mix in vanilla and butter extracts. Add additional heavy cream gradually to thin the frosting to your preferred spreading consistency.
  11. Add Color: Add gel food coloring to the frosting if desired, stirring well to achieve uniform color.
  12. Frost Cookies: Spread the frosting onto each completely cooled cookie. Immediately add sprinkles to the top for decoration before the frosting sets.
  13. Storage: Store frosted cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature or freeze for up to 3 months to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Use margarine as specified for the authentic texture and flavor similar to Lofthouse cookies; butter can be a substitute but may alter texture slightly.
  • Do not overbake cookies; removing them before browning keeps them soft and tender.
  • The dough resting step helps prevent cracking and makes shaping easier.
  • Gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant frosting colors without thinning the consistency.
  • Cookies must be completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
  • For best results, use a stand mixer or electric hand mixer to achieve proper creaming and smooth frosting.

Keywords: Lofthouse cookies, sugar cookies, soft sugar cookies, sugar cookie frosting, copycat Lofthouse, decorated sugar cookies

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/lofthouse-sugar-cookies-copycat-recipe-recipe/