Christmas Lofthouse Cookies

Christmas Lofthouse Cookies — Christmas Lofthouse Cookies are a festive and delightful treat that captures the essence of holiday cheer.

These soft, cake-like cookies, often topped with creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles, are a staple in holiday baking and a favorite among both children and adults.

Known for their tender texture and sweet, buttery flavor, Lofthouse Cookies are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a special treat for Santa. The customizable nature of these cookies, with various options for icing colors and sprinkle designs, makes them delicious and a fun and creative addition to any Christmas celebration. As you prepare to make your own batch, spread some holiday joy with each colorful, frothy bite of these delightful Christmas treats!

The Best Copycat Lofthouse Cookie Recipe

The Best Copycat Lofthouse Cookie Recipe brings the magic of those irresistibly soft, store-bought cookies right into your own kitchen, offering a homemade touch to a beloved classic. These cookies strike a perfect balance between a tender, fluffy texture and a rich, buttery sweetness, making them an instant favorite. The dough, a harmonious blend of basic baking ingredients like flour, butter, and sugar, is elevated with the addition of sour cream, giving the cookies their signature soft, cake-like texture. A hint of vanilla extract infuses a subtle yet distinct flavor, ensuring each bite is as comforting as it is delicious.

What truly sets these cookies apart is their smooth, creamy frosting, typically made with a mixture of butter, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla or almond extract for an extra layer of flavor. The frosting can be tinted with food coloring to match any festive theme, making these cookies as visually appealing as they are scrumptious. Finished with a sprinkle of colorful, seasonal sprinkles, these Copycat Lofthouse Cookies taste like the store-bought version and carry a charming, homemade appeal. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, special treats for kids, or simply a delightful snack to enjoy with a warm cup of cocoa or tea during the festive season.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

You’ll find many reasons to adore this recipe for Copycat Lofthouse Cookies, and here are some of the highlights that make it a must-try:

• Taste of Nostalgia: These cookies replicate the classic Lofthouse flavor many of us know and love from childhood. Each bite returns fond memories of enjoying these soft, sweet treats.
• Perfect Texture: Achieving that signature soft, tender, almost cake-like texture in a cookie can be challenging, but this recipe nails it. The use of sour cream in the dough is key to getting that distinctive Lofthouse consistency.
• Simple Ingredients: The recipe uses basic, easily accessible baking ingredients, making it convenient for anyone to whip up a batch without a special trip to the grocery store.
• Customizable Decoration: The fun part of this recipe is the decoration. You can customize the frosting color and choose from various sprinkles to suit any occasion, making them perfect for holidays, birthdays, or just because.
• Homemade Freshness: There’s something special about homemade cookies. The fresh, preservative-free taste is unbeatable, and you can enjoy them warm, which is rarely an option with store-bought varieties.
• Family-Friendly Activity: Baking and decorating these cookies can be a delightful family activity. Kids especially love cutting out the cookies and adding the frosting and sprinkles.
• Ideal for Sharing: Their appealing look and delicious taste make these cookies for sharing. They are great for parties, school events, or a special treat to share with friends and neighbors.
• Satisfies Sweet Cravings: The sweet, buttery flavor of the cookies, paired with the creamy frosting, is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
• Consistent Results: The recipe is straightforward and well-tested, providing consistent results. Even novice bakers can achieve success with these cookies.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: While they are perfect for Christmas, the recipe can be easily adapted for any holiday or event by simply changing the frosting color and sprinkles.

This Copycat Lofthouse Cookie recipe is not just about recreating a familiar store-bought favorite; it’s about bringing a touch of homemade love and joy to your kitchen and those you share them with.

Ingredients Needed For Christmas Lofthouse Cookies

Dive into the festive spirit of baking with this delightful recipe for Christmas Lofthouse Cookies. Gather these simple and easily accessible ingredients to create a batch of these soft, frosted treats that are sure to bring joy and sweetness to your holiday celebrations. Let’s start with what you’ll need to bring these beloved cookies to life in your own kitchen!

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

• Cake flour: Provides a lighter, finer texture than all-purpose flour, making the cookies tender and soft.
• Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the cookies rise and become fluffy.
• Baking powder: Works with baking soda to create the perfect rise and texture in the cookies.
• Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
• Butter: Gives the cookies a rich, buttery flavor and soft texture; room-temperature butter creams better with sugar.
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a light, crisp exterior while maintaining a soft inside.
• Sour cream: The secret to the cookies’ signature moist, dense texture, adding a slight tanginess.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookies’ richness and structure.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a classic, sweet flavor essential to most cookie recipes.
• Almond extract: Gives the cookies a subtle, distinctive flavor that sets them apart from typical sugar cookies.

Frosting:

1. Butter: Creates a smooth, spreadable base for the frosting, with a hint of salt to cut through the sweetness.
2. Confectioners’ sugar: Also known as powdered sugar, it dissolves easily for a smooth, creamy frosting.
3. Milk: Adjust the frosting’s consistency to be perfectly spreadable.
4. Vanilla extract: Complements the sweetness and adds depth to the frosting’s flavor.
5. Almond extract: Mirrors the almond flavor in the cookies, enhancing the overall taste.
6. Christmas sprinkles: Add a festive touch, bringing color and fun to these holiday treats.

With these ingredients, you’re all set to create Lofthouse Christmas Cookies that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat!

How To Make Christmas Lofthouse Cookies

Here are the simple steps for creating homemade copycat Christmas Lofthouse cookies.

• Dry Ingredients Preparation:
  • Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Once mixed, set this bowl aside for later use.
• Creaming Butter and Sugar:
  • In your mixer’s bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until the mixture achieves a light and fluffy texture. This process is crucial for the base of your cookies.

• Wet Ingredients Addition:
  • To the creamed butter and sugar, add in the sour cream, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Continue mixing until these ingredients are well incorporated.
• Combining Dry and Wet Mixtures:
  • Gently fold in the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir just enough to combine, being careful not to overmix.

• Dough Preparation:
  • Divide the dough into two equal parts. Wrap each part in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to firm up.
• Baking Setup:
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

• Rolling and Cutting the Cookies:
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ½ inch thickness. Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut out the cookies. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
• Baking:
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 8-9 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. After baking, let the cookies cool completely before frosting.

Frosting:

• Butter Creaming:
  • In your mixer, whip the butter until it’s light and fluffy. This is the base for your frosting.
• Adding Sugar:
  • Gradually mix in the powdered sugar with the butter, ensuring it’s fully combined.
• Final Frosting Touches:
  • Add the milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the mixture. Whip at medium-high speed for about a minute until the frosting is light and fluffy.
• Frosting the Cookies:
  • Fill a piping bag fitted with a large straight tip with the frosting. Pipe the frosting onto each cookie, then smooth the tops with a knife.
• Adding Sprinkles:
  • Finally, sprinkle each cookie with festive Christmas sprinkles for that perfect holiday touch.

Your homemade Christmas Lofthouse Cookies are now ready to delight friends and family, adding a special homemade twist to this beloved holiday treat!

Recipe Variations

Exploring different variations of the Christmas Lofthouse Cookies recipe can add an exciting twist to this holiday favorite. Here are some creative ideas to try:

1. Chocolate Lofthouse Cookies:

• Cocoa Powder: Add cocoa powder to the cookie dough for a chocolatey twist. Adjust the amount of flour accordingly to maintain the dough consistency.
• Chocolate Frosting: Use chocolate buttercream or melted chocolate for frosting.

2. Citrus-Flavored Cookies:

• Citrus Zest: Add lemon, orange, or lime zest to the cookie dough for a fresh, citrusy flavor.
• Citrus Glaze: Replace vanilla extract in the frosting with citrus juice and include corresponding zest for a tangy glaze.

3. Spiced Cookies:

• Holiday Spices: Incorporate spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into the dough for a warm, spiced flavor.
• Spiced Frosting: Add a pinch of these spices to the frosting too for a consistent taste.

4. Red Velvet Lofthouse Cookies:

• Red Food Coloring: Add red food coloring to your dough to create a festive red velvet look.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: Use a cream cheese frosting for that classic red velvet pairing.

5. Vegan Lofthouse Cookies:

• Vegan Ingredients: Use plant-based butter, a suitable egg substitute, and vegan sour cream.
• Vegan Frosting: Ensure the frosting is made with vegan-friendly ingredients.

6. Gluten-Free Cookies:

• Gluten-Free Flour: Substitute the cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking.

7. Nutty Flavor:

• Almond Flour: Replace some of the flour with almond flour for a nutty flavor.
• Nuts in Frosting: Add finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the frosting for texture and taste.

8. Jam-Filled Cookies:

• Thumbprint Cookies: Make a small indent in each cookie before baking and fill with your favorite jam or jelly.

9. Festive Colors:

• Colored Dough: Divide the dough and add different food colorings for a multi-colored batch.
• Colorful Frosting: Use various colors of frosting and create designs like Christmas trees or ornaments.

10. Sandwich Cookies:

• Double Layer: Make two thinner cookies and sandwich them with frosting in the middle.

11. Herbal Infusion:

• Herbs in Dough: Infuse the dough with finely chopped fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for a unique twist.

By experimenting with these variations, you can cater to different tastes and dietary needs, making your Christmas Lofthouse Cookies a versatile and inclusive treat for the holiday season.

Pro Tips

Creating the perfect batch of Christmas Lofthouse Cookies can be both fun and rewarding. Here are some professional tips to ensure your cookies turn out wonderfully every time:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure ingredients like butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature. This ensures a smoother dough and better integration of ingredients.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
• Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial. It makes the dough easier to handle and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
• Uniform Size: Use a cookie scoop or measure each portion to ensure all your cookies are the same size. This helps them bake evenly and look uniform.
• Roll Gently: When rolling out the dough, do it gently, and don’t make it too thin. Lofthouse cookies are known for their thickness and soft texture.
• Monitor Baking Time: These cookies should not brown too much – just a slight golden color around the edges is enough. Overbaking will result in hard cookies.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Let the cookies cool completely before applying the frosting to prevent it from melting.
• Creamy Frosting: For the frosting, ensure your butter is soft but not melted. Cream the butter and sugar well to get a light and fluffy frosting.
• Decorate Creatively: Have fun with decorations! Use different colors of frosting, a variety of sprinkles, or even edible glitter for a festive look.
• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to keep them soft. They can be kept at room temperature or refrigerated.
• Making in Advance: If you want to make these cookies in advance, you can bake and freeze them without the frosting. Thaw and frost them when you’re ready to serve.
• Flavor Variations: Don’t hesitate to experiment with flavors in both the cookie dough and the frosting – extracts like peppermint, lemon, or orange can add a delightful twist.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to bake up a batch of Lofthouse-style cookies that capture the essence of Christmas, both in taste and appearance.

Can I make Christmas Lofthouse Cookies ahead of time? Yes, you can bake these cookies ahead of time. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container. For best results, add the frosting and decorations closer to serving.

How long will these cookies stay fresh? Stored in an airtight container, the cookies will stay fresh for up to a week. If frosted, it’s best to consume them within 3-4 days for optimal taste.

Can I freeze Lofthouse Cookies? Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cookies. Wrap them well and store in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.

How do I get my frosting perfectly smooth? To achieve smooth frosting, ensure your butter is at room temperature and beat it well with powdered sugar until fluffy. Adding a small amount of milk can help achieve a smooth consistency.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour? Cake flour is recommended for its fine texture, but you can use all-purpose flour in a pinch. The texture may be slightly different, but the cookies will still be delicious.

Why did my cookies spread too much while baking? Excessive spreading can occur if the dough wasn’t chilled enough, or if there’s too much butter in the dough. Ensure your measurements are accurate and the dough is sufficiently chilled.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free? Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different from the original.

What can I use instead of sour cream? If you don’t have sour cream, you can use Greek yogurt as a substitute. It will provide a similar texture and moisture.

How can I add natural color to my frosting? For natural color options, consider using fruit powders, beet juice for red, or matcha powder for green. These provide color and a hint of flavor.

Can I make these cookies vegan? Yes, use vegan butter, a plant-based sour cream substitute, and an egg alternative. Ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly as well.

More Copycat Recipes

• Doubletree Cookies (Famous Recipe)
• Homemade Hostess Cupcakes
• Zatarain’s Fish Fry Copycat Recipe
• Copycat Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken