• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Brownie Bites Blog
  • Home
  • Food
    • Recipes ->
      • Low Carb and Keto
      • Bars & Barks
      • Beverages
      • Cakes & Pies
      • Candy
      • Cookies & Cupcakes
      • Copycat & Pop Culture
      • Dog Treats
      • Entrees
      • Ice Cream & Frozen
      • Muffins & Breads
      • Starters & Sides
    • Restaurant Tours
    • Party Ideas
    • Tips and Tricks
  • Travel
    • View All
    • California
    • Camping & RV Life
    • Disney ->
      • Bahama Cruise
      • Disney World
      • East Caribbean Cruise
      • West Caribbean Cruise
    • Hawaii
    • Hiking
    • Hotel Tours
    • Japan
    • Seaside Florida
    • Smoky Mountains
    • Washington DC
  • Reviews & Unboxings
    • View All
    • Candy & Sweets
    • Nut Butters
    • Nutrition Bars
    • Snacks
    • Specialty Food
    • Subscription Boxes
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Reviews
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Food » Recipes » Pop Culture 'n Copycat » Soft Vanilla Bean Frosted Sugar Cookies (Lofthouse Copycat)

    Soft Vanilla Bean Frosted Sugar Cookies (Lofthouse Copycat)

    Posted: 12/22/2015 | Last updated: 03/28/2022 by Erin 1 Comment
    Post may contain affiliate links via Amazon Associates or other programs. (Disclosure)

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe

    Christmas cookies! Soft, pillowy sugar cookies covered in vanilla bean frosting - reminiscent of Lofthouse cookies you find in the grocery store.

    I couldn't let Christmas get away from me without baking a batch of classic frosted sugar cookies.

    Christmas cookies! Soft, pillowy sugar cookies covered in vanilla bean frosting - reminiscent of Lofthouse cookies you find in the grocery store.

    Since the thought of spending half an hour per cookie flooding them with multiple colors of royal icing (after spending an hour making sure the icing is the exact correct consistency for flooding) makes me break out in hives, I opted for more forgiving and user-friendly decorations.  I just pulled out every jar of sprinkles I have that look remotely Christmassy and went to town.  Done and done.

    Christmas cookies! Soft, pillowy sugar cookies covered in vanilla bean frosting - reminiscent of Lofthouse cookies you find in the grocery store.

    I'll leave the intricate decorating to those who are way more patient and talented than I am.  And come on, you have to admit that a smooth vanilla bean buttercream tastes way better than royal icing.

    Christmas cookies! Soft, pillowy sugar cookies covered in vanilla bean frosting - reminiscent of Lofthouse cookies you find in the grocery store.

    This is my favorite sugar cookie recipe ever.  Just look at how pillowy and puffy they are!  These remind me of those Lofthouse cookies that you buy at the grocery store.  On their own, the cookie is not very sweet, making them the perfect base for covering in chocolate or frosting.  And sprinkles... because you always need sprinkles.

    Christmas cookies! Soft, pillowy sugar cookies covered in vanilla bean frosting - reminiscent of Lofthouse cookies you find in the grocery store.

    I use vanilla bean paste for my buttercream.  In fact, I'm in the habit of using the paste for almost everything I bake that calls for vanilla extract.  It's thick and syrupy with visible vanilla bean speckles, and it's loaded with so much vanilla flavor.  Try it in your frostings and you'll be hooked for life.  If you can't find vanilla paste, you can substitute and equal amount of a good quality vanilla extract and that will work just fine.

    Christmas cookies! Soft, pillowy sugar cookies covered in vanilla bean frosting - reminiscent of Lofthouse cookies you find in the grocery store.

    The dough for these cookies can be prepared several days in advance.  Just keep it wrapped up in the fridge until you're ready to roll them out and bake them off.  Store leftovers at room temperature in an airtight container and they'll stay nice and soft.

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Christmas cookies! Soft, pillowy sugar cookies covered in vanilla bean frosting - reminiscent of Lofthouse cookies you find in the grocery store.

    Soft Vanilla Bean Frosted Sugar Cookies (Lofthouse style)


    • Author: Erin Browne
    • Yield: 2-3 dozen 1x
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • FOR COOKIES:
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
    • 1 cup white granulated sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¾ cups sour cream
    • FOR FROSTING:
    • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
    • 3 cups powdered sugar
    • 1-2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste (start with 1, taste, and add more for a flavor punch)
    • pinch of salt
    • milk for thinning, if needed

    Instructions

    1. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
    2. In a stand mixer, cream the butter and white sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
    3. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each one is added.
    4. Add the vanilla and sour cream and beat at low speed until combined.
    5. Add the dry ingredients in 2-3 additions and mix on low speed until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
    6. Turn dough out onto a large piece of plastic wrap and, using floured hands, flatten into a rectangle about 1½ inches thick (this will make rolling it out easier), then wrap with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator overnight or at least two hours until firm.
    7. Preheat the oven to 425F. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper.
    8. Flour the counter, the top of the dough, and your hands. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to ¼-inch thickness.
    9. Using a 2.5 round cookie cutter, cut out circles and transfer to prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one.
    10. Alternately, you can use floured hands to shape cookies into 2.5 inch discs roughly ¼-inch thick.
    11. Bake for 7 minutes, until pale golden. Allow to cool completely on wire rack before frosting.
    12. FOR FROSTING:
    13. Using a hand or stand mixer, cream the butter until smooth and fluffy.
    14. Add sugar, salt, and 1 TBS of vanilla bean paste, mix until smooth.
    15. Taste frosting and if you want a mega vanilla bean punch, add the additional TBS of paste.
    16. If frosting is too thick, add milk a small splash at a time, mixing after each addition, until it can be easily spread with a butter knife.
    17. Frost cookies and decorate as desired.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @ebrowniebites on Facebook or Instagram

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    Here's a convenient Pinterest-optimized image so you can save this recipe for later.  Just hover your mouse over the image and click, "Pin it!"

    Christmas cookies! Soft, pillowy sugar cookies covered in vanilla bean frosting - reminiscent of Lofthouse cookies you find in the grocery store.

    Have a very Merry Christmas, everyone!!

    Related posts:

    1. Chocolate Toffee Dipped Sugar Cookies
    2. Tangy Lime Sugar Cookies
    3. Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies with Butter Rum Filling
    4. Frosted Lemonade (Chick Fil A Copycat)
    « Fig and Plum Chutney with Cardamom Whipped Cream Cheese
    Seasons Innovative Bar & Grille Review »

    About Erin

    Erin is a mom of two human babies and two fur-covered babies. She loves comfy clothes, eats too much peanut butter, and watches excessive amounts of Netflix. Make her day and toss her a like on Facebook or follow her on Instagram. Post may contain affiliate links including those via the Amazon Associates program

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Becca

      December 29, 2015 at 8:11 pm

      Those cookies look delicious...and the decorating job isn't so important because they're just going to be eaten anyway!

      Reply

    Say Something About This Post: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erin! I love food and I bet you do, too! I cook for my family and share the recipes that we love. Let's have some fun!

    I WROTE A BOOK!

    The Unofficial Dollywood Cookbook is Now available! Learn More  about where to order your copy!

    Recent Recipes

    Disney Trip Reports

    More Disney Posts

    Footer

    ? back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure & Terms
    • Sweepstakes Terms

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up to be notified of new posts

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme