Description
Soft Sugar Cookies: bakery-soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies inspired by Lofthouse-style treats, perfect for Easter, celebrations, or gift boxes. This easy recipe yields ultra-tender centers, pillowy edges, and a creamy homemade icing with sprinkles. Tips for soft results include using butter with a touch of oil, not overmixing, and avoiding overbaking. Decorate generously—Pinterest-worthy, kid-friendly, and sure to wow on any dessert table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sour cream
- For the icing:
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and sour cream; mix until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients until a soft, thick dough forms.
- Roll dough into balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and gently flatten to about ½ inch thickness on the baking sheet.
- Bake 9–11 minutes or until cookies are just set and soft (do not overbake).
- Cool completely before frosting.
- For the icing: Beat together powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Tint with food coloring if desired.
- Spread icing generously on each cookie and decorate with sprinkles.
Notes
- Prep time is 15 minutes; bake time is 10 minutes; total time is about 25 minutes.
- Cookies are soft and tender when cooled completely before icing.
- For extra-soft cookies, you can add a tablespoon of sour cream or yogurt to the dough.
- Decorate with sprinkles for a festive, Pinterest-friendly look.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking (Creaming and mixing; icing on top)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: ~200
- Sugar: ~15 g
- Sodium: ~120 mg
- Fat: ~9 g
- Saturated Fat: ~4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~23 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: ~3 g
- Cholesterol: ~40 mg
Keywords: Soft Sugar Cookies, Lofthouse-style cookies, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, Easter cookies, homemade icing, cookie decorating, sprinkles, dessert recipe, soft cookie recipe