Name: Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 36 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cake flour; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 1 cup sugar; ½ cup softened butter; ¼ cup softened butter flavored shortening; 1 whole egg; 1 egg white; 1½ teaspoons baking powder; ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar; ¼ teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon almond extract; ⅓ cup butter; ⅓ cup softened butter flavored shortening; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon almond extract; ¼ teaspoon salt; 3 to 3½ cups powdered sugar; 3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk; Pink food coloring drops or gel; Sprinkles

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

There’s something truly comforting about soft frosted sugar cookies. Their tender, thick texture paired with fluffy buttercream frosting evokes nostalgic memories of celebrations and sweet moments shared with loved ones. These cookies, inspired by classic Lofthouse treats, bring that joy straight from your oven, making every bite a delightful indulgence.

Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a special event, or just to brighten your day, these copycat soft frosted sugar cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and softness. The hint of almond extract adds a subtle nuance to their flavor, while the colorful sprinkles give a playful finishing touch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft, thick cookies with tender crumb perfect for frosting.
Fluffy buttercream frosting with a rich vanilla and almond flavor.
Inspired by classic Lofthouse for nostalgic homemade experience.
Easy to prep, chill, and bake with clear step-by-step instructions.
Customizable with your favorite frosting colors and sprinkles.

Ingredients

Cake Flour: Provides a soft, delicate texture essential for tender cookies that stay thick and moist.
All-Purpose Flour: Adds structure and balance to the batter for perfectly shaped cookies.
Sugar: Sweetens the dough while helping to create a tender crumb.
Butter (Softened): Adds rich flavor and moisture for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture for a soft, cohesive dough.
Egg Whites: Lightens the dough for a tender, fluffy bite.
Butter Flavored Shortening: Enhances texture by contributing extra softness and stability in the dough.
Baking Powder: Leavens the dough for a gentle rise, ensuring fluffy cookies.
Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes the dough and helps create tender texture.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavors.
Vanilla Extract: Adds classic warm flavor, key to cookie and frosting aroma.
Almond Extract: Provides a subtle nutty fragrance complementing the vanilla.
Butter (for Frosting): Rich base creating creamy, fluffy buttercream frosting.
Butter Flavored Shortening (for Frosting): Ensures frosting holds shape and remains stable and soft.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for smooth spreadability.
Whole Milk: Adjusts frosting texture to desired creaminess for easy spreading.
Pink Food Coloring: Adds a festive and vibrant look to frosting optional but visually delightful.
Sprinkles: Adds a fun, colorful finishing touch to frosted cookies.
PIN IT

Instructions

Prepare the Dry Ingredients: Whisk together cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt in a bowl. This step ensures the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed for consistent texture.
Cream Butter, Sugar, and Shortening: In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat sugar, softened butter, and butter flavored shortening until light and fluffy. This aeration helps produce tender, soft cookies.
Add Extracts and Eggs: Mix in vanilla and almond extracts and whole egg until combined. Then add egg whites and blend well. These ingredients contribute moisture, flavor, and structure to the dough.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: On low speed, gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until no flour pockets remain, ensuring an even, smooth dough without overmixing which can toughen cookies.
Refrigerate the Dough: Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours. Chilling firms the dough, making it easier to shape and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Proper preparation helps achieve even baking without sticking.
Shape the Cookies: Remove dough from fridge and scoop 2 to 3 tablespoons balls onto baking sheets. Flatten each ball to ½ inch thickness using the bottom of a cup or roll and cut with cookie cutter for uniform shapes.
Bake the Cookies: Bake one sheet at a time for about 8 minutes until edges are firm but not browned. Cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. This prevents overbaking and maintains softness.
Prepare the Frosting: Beat butter and butter flavored shortening until fluffy. Add vanilla, almond extract, and salt, mixing well. Gradually add powdered sugar and milk in portions to achieve creamy, smooth consistency.
Add Color and Frost Cookies: Mix in pink food coloring until desired shade is reached. Spread or pipe frosting over cooled cookies and top with sprinkles for a festive touch.

You Must Know

Chilling dough is key for thick, soft cookies that hold their shape.
Baking time is short to maintain tenderness—avoid browning edges.
Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid in cleanup.
Butter flavored shortening contributes texture without overwhelming butter flavor.
Customize frosting colors and sprinkles to suit any occasion or holiday.

Storage Tips

Store frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3-4 days, layering with parchment paper to protect the frosting. Raw dough balls can be frozen and baked fresh later.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or cold milk. They also make a delightful addition to holiday cookie trays or gift boxes for friends and family.

Professional Tips

Use cake flour specifically for the best texture; don’t substitute with all-purpose alone.
Softened butter should be cool to the touch but pliable to blend evenly with sugar.
When mixing frosting ingredients, add milk slowly to control thickness.
For perfectly smooth frosting, sift powdered sugar before adding.
Let frosted cookies set for at least 30 minutes before stacking or serving.

FAQs

What Molly Made soft frosted sugar cookies?: Molly’s version uses cream cheese in the dough for extra softness, topped with a thick fluffy buttercream frosting and sprinkles — copycat of the famous Lofthouse cookies.
How to make soft frosted sugar cookies?: Cream butter, sugar, and cream cheese, add egg and vanilla, fold in flour and baking powder. Bake at 350°F for 9–11 minutes — do not overbake. Frost with buttercream once cooled.
How many calories in frosted soft sugar cookies?: Approximately 200–280 calories per cookie depending on size and amount of frosting.
How to make frosting for soft sugar cookies?: Beat softened butter until fluffy, add powdered sugar, splash of heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth and spreadable. Add food coloring if desired.
How to make soft and delicious frosted sugar cookies?: The secrets are — don’t overbake, use cream cheese in the dough, chill dough before baking, and frost generously with thick buttercream.
Why add both butter and butter-flavored shortening?: This combination balances rich flavor from butter with the stability and softness from shortening, giving ideal cookie and frosting texture.
How do I achieve thick, fluffy frosting?: Beat butter and shortening until very light and fluffy before gradually adding powdered sugar and milk for smooth, spreadable frosting.