Thursday, April 28, 2011

Lofthouse Cookies


Otherwise known as "those really soft sugar cookies with the frosting at the grocery store/Walmart". You know which ones I'm talking about.

The ones that you stare longingly at every time you walk by them in the store. The ones that somehow always show up at a party/church/work event and you can never resist taking at least one. No? Don't deny it. I know I'm not the only one.

There are tons of variations of the recipe out there, not surprising since the Lofthouse company keeps their recipe under lock and key. Jerks. (Although I can't say I blame them.)

BUT, some of these homemade recipes get close, so very close, to mimicking these cookies that it's definitely worth a shot to try them out. Especially since the actual cookies are supposed to last 28 days, which most definitely weirds me out. No cookie should be good after 28 days sitting at room temperature.

This version, for sure, will not last 28 days. Well, actually I would have no idea. They'll be gone long before then.

Lofthouse Cookies


Adapted from: Recipesecrets.net via Macaroni and Cheesecake

1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups light sour cream
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
6 cups flour, divided

1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons milk
Several drops food coloring

In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup butter and granulated sugar until light in color and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing each until fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in sour cream and vanilla.

In a medium bowl, stir together 5 cups flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Slowly add in flour mixture, beating until all the flour is fully hydrated. Dough needs to obtain the right consistency for rolling, so add additional flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until this is achieved (up to 1 cup more flour, I needed the full cup). Dough will still be a bit on the sticky side. Divide dough into two sections. Flatten into rectangles about 1 1/2 inches thick, then wrap with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator overnight.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside.

Generously flour a work area and rolling pin. Remove one section of dough from the refrigerator, unwrap, and place on your work area. Roll dough out until 1/4 inch thick. Dough will be very sticky. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out circles and transfer to a baking sheet. Bake for 7-8 minutes, until pale golden (bottom of cookies should be a light brown). Immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough, storing any extra dough in the fridge while not in use.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, cream together the butter and vanilla. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar. Once smooth and creamy, add in milk, 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is achieved. Frosting should be easy to spread, but not runny. Add in the food coloring, if desired.

Once cookies have cooled, frost. Allow frosting to set, then store in an air-tight container. Let cookies sit for several hours before serving to allow the flavors to develop.


Makes: 4 1/2 dozen cookies


After several hours, these cookies do come close, but don't quite mimic the original. After 48 hours, they are even closer. I know this may be the oddest advice, but trust me on this: don't eat these cookies right away. Just don't do it. It will only bring you disappointment and frustration. Wait. Eating these right away results in a lackluster, chewy cookie, not exactly what we're going for. Give them a nice rest overnight in an air-tight container and they magically soften and become much more like those Lofthouse cookies we know and love. It's worth the wait.

While these are good, I'm still not sold that they are exactly like the original (or better), and thus my search continues. Darn.


Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories 193Calories from fat 77
% Daily Value
Total Fat 8.6g13%
Saturated Fat 5.3g26%
Cholesterol 31mg10%
Sodium 81mg3%
Total Carbs 27.3g9%
Sugars 16.3g
Protein 2.1g
Vitamin A 5%Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 2%Iron 4%

25 comments:

  1. It is quite fascinating to read that these cookies are like wine, they get better with age:)

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  2. So glad that I can make these at home now!! Thanks for this yummy recipe!

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  3. I always say I'm not going to eat one of those cookies when they are around, but somehow I always do. Sometimes two... O:-)

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  4. I have no access to Walmart but I trust your words. They do look irresistible. Isn't it great when you crack the code on a "secret" recipe...then you can make and eat more of it.

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  5. LOL those cookies are guilty supermaret pleasures. Why are they so good? Love that you tried to make them at home, they look super cute.

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  6. I love those cookies, I often eat way too many of time! Like, the whole container! Someday we'll get the recipe just right, these look like a great start!

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  7. My kids LOVE these sugar cookies. I'm not sure if it's the colorful frosting or how soft and yummy the cookie is. But we're so going to make these! Thanks!

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  8. No one can resist a yummy iced cookie. I love the color.

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  9. Oh my gosh,why do you torture me soo.
    Connie

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  10. I love soft sugar cookies. Yours look so good. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. I like to enjoy Lofthouse cookies for time to time. These sound even better

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  12. mmmm....I love those cookies from Walmart and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I can't wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. This recipe is similar to the one I use to make Lofthouse cookies and is the only exception I make to the use of sour cream, since I can't stand the stuff haha.

    http://mangiodasola.net/2009/12/11/lofthouse-frosted-sugar-cookies/

    http://mangiodasola.net/2010/02/12/valentine-lofthouse-cookies/

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  14. My fiance and I in college would go grocery shopping and buy Lofthouse cookies to eat on the weekends when we would "splurge" and eat junk. I definetly need to give these a try!

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  15. HI,
    The cookies are looking so delicious..Really I like this cookies...Thanks for posting this blog..
    Raymeds.com

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  16. They certainly look like those cookies you get at that place that will not be named! Not sure I'll be able to not sneak at least. one right off the bat, it will be hard to wait the several days for them!

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  17. These are so delicious... just made my first batch the other night and I'll be making them again:)

    http://tfwalsh.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/soft-lofthouse-style-frosted-cookies/

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  18. These cookies were so delicious and just like the store ones! I just ate one after sitting over night, and you're right... They are even better! Mine turned out just like the picture :)

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  19. This recipe was an epic fail!
    They came out terrible =(

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  20. @AnonymousYou did something wrong then! This recipe is great!

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  21. Close, but no Cigar...

    THE Lofthouse Ingredients
    1 cup shortening (The original calls for Lard, but Walmart uses Shortening.)
    2 cups sugar
    1 cup sour cream
    1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
    2 eggs
    4 1/2 - 5 cups all-purpose flour
    Pinch of salt
    1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    2 teaspoons baking powder

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