The classic Lofthouse style cookie is a fluffy, cakey treat with a generous amount of American-style buttercream frosting and cheerful sprinkles on top. What’s not to like?! This easy adaptation brings a holiday twist with a touch of peppermint and bright red frosting. Decorate with white snowflake sprinkles for a festive addition to the holiday cookie plate. Serve with a glass of real milk for the ultimate, perfect pairing.

These cookies are soft, chewy, and cakey. They’re almost like the top of cupcakes! To achieve that perfect texture, there are a few things to know.

First, you need to use cake flour, which is a low gluten wheat flour. All-purpose flour has a higher gluten content and will give these cookies a dry, tough texture, so try to get your hands on cake flour if you’re able (it’s readily available in well stocked grocery stores, as well as online).Second, break out the shortening, which gives them the “bounce” and lift (loft?) that these cookies are known for. If you prefer not to use shortening, you can try substituting solid coconut oil in place of the shortening, but keep in mind this will shift the flavor and texture ever so slightly.

Can I use a natural food coloring … or skip the food coloring?

The food coloring in the frosting is purely for decoration, so you can skip it or use less of it if you’d like. Most natural red food colorings are heat sensitive and fade when you use them in baking, but since this frosting isn’t heated, you can use natural red food color if you’d like. Just keep in mind that natural food coloring tends to dull in color as it sits, so serve the cookies the day you make them to ensure they’re looking their best.

Can I make these cookies ahead?

Yes! These cookies keep well. Just store them at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

How do they freeze?

You can freeze Lofthouse cookies for up to 3 months. Just place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for 2 hours. Once they are frozen solid, move them to an airtight container and layer them between sheets of wax paper or parchment paper. Easy, and the gift that keeps on giving!

1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

1/3 cup shortening

1 1/4 cup white sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 large egg

1 large egg white

2 3/4 cup cake flour

For the frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk

1 tablespoon red food coloring

To Finish:

White snowflake sprinkles or other white sprinkles

Mix on slow speed until most of the ingredients are blended, then increase to medium speed and mix until the butter is creamy and clings to the side of the bowl, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through mixing and then afterwards. Add the flour and turn the mixer to low. Once most of the flour has been absorbed, increase the speed to medium low until no dry flour remains. Scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice to make sure the dough is completely homogenized. Add the powdered sugar, peppermint and vanilla extracts, and salt to the bowl and mix on slow speed until most of the sugar has been absorbed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and increase the speed of the mixer to medium and beat until light and fluffy. Stop the mixer and add 2 tablespoons of the milk and the red food coloring. Be careful with the food coloring as it will stain. Turn the mixer on slow and mix until the liquid is absorbed. Increase the speed to medium and beat the frosting until it is uniform in color. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice to make sure it’s completely homogenous in color. If the frosting seems too thick, add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to thin it down.