Lofthouse Cookies

Some things are all looks and no substance.  Take Mia for example.  When someone rings our doorbell, she goes ballistic.  I'm talking about crazy "I'm going to bite your head off" barking,  frantic spinning in circles and uncontrollable drooling.  You get the picture - she's turns into an absolute nut.  To be perfectly honest, I think she's half excited to see who is behind the door and half afraid. 

She acts the same neurotic way when someone passes our house while she is in the yard.  (The Fed Ex and the UPS trucks make her exceptionally wild for some reason.)  She is in an invisible fence so she can't quite reach the sidewalk but she gets about as close to it as she possibly can and barks like a crazy dog at anyone who might we walking or biking or heaven for bid - running - past out house.  She is uber protective of our her yard.

Her scare tactics are effective because most people are terrified of her.  The truth is, it's all a big act.  She would never hurt anyone unless they threatened her family.  This same dog who barks at strangers like she is going to tear them to shreds acts quite differently when she's not "guarding" her family.  She loves to wear clothes, snuggle up with her piggy, nap with her favorite blankie, and play hide and seek with Courtney.

I'm sure you've experienced this "things are different than they appear" even in your dessert choices.  A beautiful dessert catches your eye and so you decide to give it a try.  After the first taste you realize that the flavor doesn't live up to its eye catching presentation.  I feel that way about the soft sugar cookies that they sell at most major supermarkets.  I'm sure you know the ones that I'm talking about.  (I don't want to name the brand because I mean them no harm.)  Thick, round sugar cookies with a thick layer of pastel colored frosting smeared across the top and finished with a scattering of brightly colored sprinkles.  They're usually set out on a display table to catch the eye of the impulsive grocery shopper or a passing child who will inevitably beg to put a package into their basket.  Who can blame them really?  They really do look so delicious that I myself have succumb to the temptation to buy them.

It's hard to describe the flavor of these cookies because they don't really have much flavor at all.  At the risk of sounding harsh, they're bland and tasteless.  The overly sweet frosting on top of the cookies doesn't really do it any justice either.  If you are someone who loves these soft cookies from the grocery store - I apologize for my super critical evaluation.  I respect your opinion but I'm here to tell you that there is something better out there.  I can assure you that once you try my recipe for soft sugar cookies with a creamy, cream cheese frosting, you will never go back to the store bought version again. 

I found this recipe on remarkablehome.net.  These cookies blow those other cookies out of the water.  They're so easy to make and they're cheaper than their grocery store counterparts - win -win! 

OLD-FASHIONED SUGAR COOKIES
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
4 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. sour cream
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla 

  

 

Cream butter with sugar until fluffy. 

 

Add eggs, one at a time. 

 

Add sifted dry ingredients alternating with sour cream, mixing after each addition, until smooth.  Blend in vanilla.  

Use a scoop to make balls of dough on a silpat lined cookie sheet.

 Roll the balls gently in your palms to smooth out the cookies.

Bake @ 375° for 10-12 min.

 Cool on wire racks.

 

Frost with cream cheese icing.

Icing
1 stick butter
8 ounces cream cheese
3-4 cups powdered sugar
1-2 Tablespoons milk

I hope that your family loves these cookies as much as mine did.  They are definitely going to make a repeat appearance at Christmas time.  I'm thinking light blue icing with snowflake sprinkles.

Ciao!