Lofthouse-Style Soft Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-03 · Updated 2026-06-03

Soft and fluffy sugar cookies topped with a rich vanilla buttercream frosting, inspired by the popular Lofthouse cookie style. This American recipe, ready in about 32 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter for frosting, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract for frosting
• 2 tbsp heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the flour mixture alternately with 1/4 cup whole milk, beginning and ending with the flour, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
4. Step 4: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded dough balls 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but centers remain soft. Cool completely on wire racks.
5. Step 5: For the frosting, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 3 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp heavy cream until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Step 6: Spread or pipe the frosting onto cooled cookies. Let the frosting set 20 minutes before serving.