Lofthouse Style Frosted Sugar Cookies

Learn how to make frosted sugar cookies just like Lofthouse! Those soft, overly sweet, addictive sugar cookies with the bright frosting and sprinkles you find in the big-box supermarkets. These are as close as anyone has gotten to the real deal and using ingredients everyone already has in their pantry or fridge.

Original recipe and instructions can be found here: http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/des...

What you'll need:
for the cookies...
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

for the frosting*:
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp milk
2 cups powdered (icing) sugar
food coloring and rainbow sprinkles (optional)

For the cookies: In a large bowl with an electric hand mixer or in a stand mixer, cream together the butter or margarine and sugar. Mix in sour cream. Add in eggs and vanilla and mix together until fully incorporated. Add in the flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Stir just enough to combine. Do NOT over mix! Roll into golf ball sized balls and place onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Pat down to about 1/2" thick. Bake in a preheated 350*F oven for 8 minutes or just until lightly browned on the bottom. The cookies should not have any color on the top or sides. Immediately remove to a wire rack to cool when done.

For the frosting: In a medium bowl, combine the butter or margarine with the vegetable shortening. Add in vanilla, milk and powdered sugar and stir until you have a smooth frosting. Use food coloring to tint the frosting to the color you wish and prefer. Frost cookies when completely cool and sprinkle with sprinkles on top. Let dry and then store in an airtight container for up to five days. Makes (24) 3" cookies. Enjoy!

*The full recipe for the frosting in the link above for this recipe is WAY too much frosting for the amount of cookies this makes. I halved the recipe for your convenience and it is plenty of frosting for all.