Lofthouse sugar cookies are so light and fluffy that they are almost more like a cake cookie than a traditional sugar cookie, but what is their secret ingredient? This copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Recipe tells all!

Lofthouse sugar cookies are so light and fluffy that they are almost more like a cake cookie than a traditional sugar cookie. In all honesty I’ve never really been a fan of sugar cookies simply because I prefer softer cookies rather than hard and crispy, therefore, I’ve always liked the Lofthouse cookies. So when I came across a recipe for a Lofthouse style sugar cookie recipe, I knew right away that I had to give it a try!

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What Are Lofthouse Sugar Cookies?

The brand Lofthouse Foods launched a thicker, fluffy sugar cookie topped with creamy frosting and sprinkles in 1994. The cookies were made and sold for in-store bakeries for grocery stores. The cookies have been a huge hit since. Lofthouse has said that the cookie recipe has come from a mix of family recipes.

How Long Are Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Good For?

Store-bought Lofthouse cookies as well as homemade copycat Lofthouse cookies are good for 3-5 days. For extra freshness, store in an air-tight container in a cool space.

copycat Lofthouse sugar cookie recipe. Fluffy and cake-like

What Is The Secret Ingredient in Lofthouse Sugar Cookies?

Everyone wants to know what the secret ingredient is in Lofthouse sugar cookies. The answer my surprise you. While Lofthouse sugar cookies use both baking soda and baking powder for a softer, less crumbly cookie, there is yet another ingredient that may surprise you.

What makes the Lofthouse sugar cookie so fluffy and moist? I’ll tell you this, it’s the same secret ingredient that I use in my homemade chocolate chip scones that give it that moist texture.

If you guessed sour cream, you would be correct. The secret ingredient in Lofthouse sugar cookies is sour cream! When sour cream is used in baking, it gives a more moist texture. Sour cream is one of the most fatty dairy products. The extra fat content from sour cream makes the cookies extra moist.

Oddly enough, these Lofthouse Sugar Cookies have sour cream in them! I have never heard of sour cream being in cookies! But I’ll tell you, they are delicious!

I love that you can decorate these any way you want! The possibilities are endless!

My kids and I had cookie baking day where we made this copycat recipe for Lofthouse sugar cookies, Melting Snowmen, Snowball Cookies {aka Mexican Wedding Cookies} and our all-time favorite…Gingerbread Boys & Girls Cookies! We frosted our copycat Lofhouse sugar cookies with frosting and added Christmas themed sprinkles.

The icing is homemade as well and is really easy to make. The recipe for my Royal Frosting is included below. Here is my dairy-free frosting alternative.

Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Recipe

Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Recipe

Stephanie | Gathered In The Kitchen

5 from 5 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings cookies

Equipment

Stand up mixer or hand held mixer

Ingredients

Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies

1/2 c unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 c sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 c sour cream, room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour, unbleached
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Frosting

2 lbs confectioner's sugar
5 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar

Instructions

Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies

Beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until nice and fluffy
Add egg, beat until incorporated
Reduce speed to low and and sour cream and vanilla and beat, until well combined, scraping down the bowl with a silicone spatula
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour. baking soda, baking powder, and salt
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours
Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin to a 1/3″ thickness, cut out circles with wide mouth mason jar lid or circle cookie cutter
Bake at 375° F for 6-8 minutes depending on thickness of cookie

Frosting

Separate egg whites in a separate small bowl
Add confectioners sugar and cream of tartar to mixer, turn on, using paddle attachment and slowly
Add egg whites
Beat slowly (you do not want to let it become filled with air bubbles) for 1-2 minutes until well incorporated, scraping down sides with silicone spatula when needed
Cover with a damp towel until ready to use