Mardi Gras Cookies

Featured in Indulgent Dessert Recipes to Satisfy Any Sweet Tooth.

These cookies are all about celebration! They’ve got that tender bite you love in Lofthouse cookies, topped with sweet frosting and Mardi Gras colors. The dough needs chilling, but the result? Totally worth it!

A man wearing a white shirt and suspenders holding a piece of paper.
Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 20:53:09 GMT
A dish filled with frosted cookies decorated with bright sprinkles. Pin it
A dish filled with frosted cookies decorated with bright sprinkles. | chefmelt.com

I've finally mastered making those super soft iced cookies at home after too many store runs. These fluffy treats are just like Lofthouse cookies - so light and topped with the creamiest frosting ever. We love adding fun sprinkles for holidays or whenever we need something to brighten our day.

What Makes These Cookies Special

When you bite into these, you'll feel like you're eating a tiny frosted cloud. The good news? You've probably got all the stuff you need in your kitchen already. The best thing about them is how you can change them up for any party. My little ones can't wait to shake on the sprinkles, and honestly, it's my favorite part too.

Must-Have Components

  • Cake Flour: This makes all the difference for that dissolve-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Sour Cream: Brings amazing softness and a slight tangy kick.
  • Butter: Don't skimp here - quality butter makes the cookies and topping way better.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates that velvety, perfectly sweet frosting everyone loves.
  • Vanilla and Almond Extracts: This combo gives them an almost enchanted flavor.
  • Sprinkles: Go with colors that match your event or mood.

Easy Method Breakdown

Create Your Base
Mix dry stuff in one container. In another, whip butter and sugar until puffy, then add sour cream, eggs and those tasty extracts. Blend everything just enough to come together.
Rest and Form
Cut dough in two, wrap it up, and stick it in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Later, flatten to half-inch thickness and cut into shapes.
Cook
Stick them in a 350°F oven for around 8-9 minutes. You want just a hint of gold at the edges. Cool them totally before adding frosting.
Top and Finish
Beat your frosting until it's airy. Spread it on each cookie, then add a bunch of sprinkles. Let the topping firm up before you stack them.

Secrets For Amazing Soft Cookies

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Get everything out early so it all mixes smoothly.
  • Mix Just Enough: Stop once it's combined to keep them soft and fluffy.
  • Cold Time Matters: It's tough to wait but cooling the dough really works wonders.
  • Lots of Frosting: Go big with the topping, it's what makes them amazing.
  • Watch Your Timer: Take them out when barely done, they'll finish cooking on the tray.
A white plate displays a collection of colorful frosted cookies covered with festive sprinkles. Pin it
A white plate displays a collection of colorful frosted cookies covered with festive sprinkles. | chefmelt.com

Keeping Them Fresh

Put your cookies in something airtight and they'll stay soft for about a week. If you keep them in the fridge, let them warm up before eating. They can go in the freezer too - just put some baking paper between them if they've got frosting.

Making Them Fit Any Party

Think of these cookies as your party chameleons. Color the frosting however you want and switch the sprinkles to match. Try red and green for Christmas, blue for baby showers, or rainbow colors for birthdays. You can really do whatever pops into your head.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why should the ingredients be at room temperature?

Room temperature ingredients mix better, making your cookies bake up with the right texture.

→ What’s the reason for chilling the dough?

Chilling keeps the dough easy to shape and stops it from spreading too much in the oven.

→ Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! Keep the cookies without frosting sealed up at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh.

→ Why choose cake flour over regular flour?

Cake flour gives these cookies that extra softness and tender texture they’re known for.

→ Why is there so much frosting on top?

The generous frosting is what makes Lofthouse cookies stand out—it’s their signature look and taste!

Mardi Gras Cookies

Soft, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies with a rich layer of frosting and festive green, gold, and purple sprinkles made for Mardi Gras fun.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
8 Minutes
Total Time
28 Minutes

Category: Dessert Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French-inspired

Yield: 24 Servings (24)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
02 1 cup white sugar.
03 2 large eggs at room temperature.
04 1/2 cup crème fraîche.
05 3 cups pastry flour.
06 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.
07 1 and 1/2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda.
08 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter.
09 1 teaspoon vanilla essence.
10 1/2 teaspoon almond essence.
11 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter (for the icing).
12 2 and 1/2 cups icing sugar (for the topping).
13 2 tablespoons whole milk.
14 A half teaspoon of vanilla essence (for the topping).
15 Half a teaspoon of almond essence (for the icing).
16 Green, gold, and purple sprinkles.
17 A small plastic baby figurine (optional).

Instructions

Step 01

In a medium bowl, combine pastry flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, and baking powder. Make sure everything is mixed evenly.

Step 02

In a big mixing bowl, beat together butter and white sugar for about 3-4 minutes until it's super fluffy and light.

Step 03

Add crème fraîche, eggs, vanilla, and almond essence to the butter mixture. Stir everything until it's well blended.

Step 04

Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until it all forms a dough, but don’t overdo it.

Step 05

Cut the dough in half and wrap each portion tightly in cling film.

Step 06

Pop the wrapped dough in the fridge for 3 hours until it’s firm and ready to roll.

Step 07

Set your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line your baking trays with baking paper.

Step 08

Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it’s about 1.25 cm thick. Keep your rolling area dusted with flour.

Step 09

Use a round cutter (about 8 cm) to cut shapes, then move the cookies onto prepared trays.

Step 10

Bake for 8–9 minutes or until the edges just start to get golden-colored.

Step 11

Leave the cookies on cooling racks until they’re completely cool before decorating.

Step 12

Beat the salted butter until it’s fluffy and pale, which should take roughly 2 minutes.

Step 13

Slowly mix in the icing sugar. Then stir in the milk, vanilla, and almond essence until the icing is smooth.

Step 14

Spread a good layer of icing over each cooled cookie and smooth it out.

Step 15

Before the icing sets, toss on some gold, green, and purple sprinkles.

Notes

  1. Soft and chewy.
  2. Inspired by Mardi Gras colors.
  3. Great to make ahead of time!
  4. Perfect for any festive gathering.

Tools You'll Need

  • Electric mixer.
  • Round cookie cutter.
  • Baking trays.
  • Icing bag.
  • Cooling racks.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter, crème fraîche).
  • Uses eggs.
  • Gluten from flour.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 223
  • Total Fat: 9 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 33 g
  • Protein: 3 g