Lofthouse sugar cookies

Lofthouse Sugar Cookies

Makes 1 dozen

Ingredients
3 cups *cake flour (4 if rolling the dough out)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla (or one vanilla bean)

Directions
In a medium bowl combine cake flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. 

Using an electric mixer cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add in eggs one at a time stirring after each addition.  Stir in sour cream and vanilla until combined.  Gradually add in flour mixture combined.  

Chill dough for at least one hour in refrigerator. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.  

Round cookies: Roll 3 tablespoons of dough into a ball.  Use flour on your hands if needed.  Place ball on baking sheet and flatten to about 1/2 inch thick, molding sides to keep round shape if necessary.  Continue with remaining dough, placing each 2 inches apart.  

If rolling: roll dough out onto a silicone baking mat to 1/4 inch thickness. These are best rolled out pretty thick. Flip rectangle of dough over to transfer to a baking sheet. Cut out cookies and remove scraps. Re-roll and cut more cookies.

Bake in preheated oven for 10. Cool for a 2-3 minutes on baking sheet, and transfer to wire rack to cool completely.  

Cream cheese Frosting

Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, soften
1/2 pkg cream cheese
2 cups confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
food coloring (optional)

Directions
Using an electric mixer whip cream cheese and then butter together. Add vanilla. gradually add in confectioners sugar. blend on medium until fluffy.  Add in food color if desired. 

*substitute 1/4 cup corn starch plus 3/4 cups flour for cake every 2 cups of cake flour.