This Walmart sugar cookie recipe makes soft, tender sugar cookies with fluffy buttercream frosting and colorful sprinkles on top. They are super simple to make and taste exactly like the grocery store favorite!
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Homemade Walmart sugar cookies recipe
Everyone loves those iconic, super sweet grocery-store sugar cookies with that soft, creamy frosting and brightly colored sprinkles. They have the softest texture and are like a cross between classic sugar cookies and white cake.
If you found yourself on this post, you’re probably specifically looking for a homemade Walmart sugar cookie recipe and have eaten many in your lifetime. I sure have.
I’ve been on a mission to create the perfect copycat Walmart cookies with the same flavor and texture – just better because they are homemade. You won’t believe how delicious and simple these are to make!
What are Walmart frosted sugar cookies?
If you have never had Walmart sugar cookies, let me quickly explain what they are and why they taste so good. They consist of melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies topped with sweet frosting and colorful sprinkles.
The cookies are super soft with a pillowy crumb and tender, airy texture, but they aren’t actually cakey or spongey. They feature a distinctive artificial vanilla aroma, complemented by a scrumptious icing that seals in all that moisture.
The frosting is typically pink, blue, or white, and comes in additional colors for every major holiday. And let’s not forget about the sprinkles! Walmart uses a mix of rainbow jimmies and sometimes confetti sprinkles.
The sugar cookies are pretty much Walmart’s answer to the popular Lofthouse cookies, which are the same style of iced, sugary cookies with pink icing.
Ingredients
Walmart sugar cookies contain 20+ ingredients, so you’ll be happy to learn that my copycat recipe is made with just 10 basic ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card for specific measurements.
Cookies
- Cake flour is the key to super soft sugar cookies. It creates an incredibly soft, cake-like texture + melt-in-your-mouth crumb and tastes sweeter than regular all-purpose flour. Check the FAQ section below for more info.
- Baking powder gives the cookies the perfect rise.
- Sugar: White granulated sugar makes the cookies soft and sweet.
- Butter: Walmart sugar cookies are made with margarine, but I found that butter creates the same soft crumb and tastes better. Let the butter sit on the counter; you want it pliable but still somewhat cold. I like salted butter to cut through the sweetness. Of course, unsalted butter + a pinch of salt is fine as well.
- Egg whites help to bind the dough and allow the vanilla flavor to really shine.
- Heavy cream: A splash of heavy cream ensures the cookies turn out light and tender, with a rich, soft crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Walmart sugar cookies get their signature flavor from artificial vanilla flavoring. You are welcome to use clear vanilla essence for the perfect copycat. I prefer the taste of real vanilla and opted for pure vanilla extract.
Frosting
The frosting is made with powdered sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and heavy cream – 3 ingredients we’re already using in the cookies!
You can tint the buttercream frosting with gel food coloring to recreate the classic Walmart cookie look, but this is optional.
The sprinkles are optional too, but they make a fun addition, and you can choose whatever sprinkles you like. I chose classic rainbow jimmies.
How to make Walmart sugar cookies
My Walmart sugar cookies recipe involves a number of steps. With the photos and easy directions, you’ll have no trouble making these delicious cake-like sugar cookies.
#1: Mix cookie dough
- Sift dry ingredients. Sift the cake flour and baking powder into a medium bowl and whisk a few times.
- Combine wet ingredients. In a measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the egg whites, cream, and vanilla extract until well combined and hom*ogenous.
- Cream butter and sugar. In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture looks pale, creamy, and fluffy, for about 5 minutes.
- Make cookie dough. With the mixer running, add the egg white-cream mixture in 4 additions until combined. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl halfway through. Decrease the speed to low and add the cake flour mixture. Continue mixing until a soft dough forms and you no longer see streaks of flour.
#2: Form + bake cookies
- Scoop cookies. Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to drop portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave 3-in / 7 cm between each dough ball (the dough will spread as it bakes).
- Bake. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. The cookies should look puffy, pale, and barely golden around the edges.
- Cool. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes. Then place them in a single layer into an airtight container to cool completely. The container helps to seal in the moisture.
#3: Frost cookies
- Make frosting. Add the softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a few drops food coloring (if using) to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or to a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer). Start mixing on low speed to incorporate the powdered sugar. Then mix for 2 to 3 minutes on high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost cookies. Once cool, frost the cookies and decorate with sprinkles. The frosting sets quickly, so add sprinkles immediately after icing a cookie
Tips for success
Walmart frosted sugar cookies are such a great treat for snacking and bringing to family gatherings, recitals, and bake sales. Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind as you make your cookies.
- Measure the flour: A digital kitchen scale is the most accurate way to measure the flour. Alternately, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level off the excess with a knife. Just don’t scoop the flour directly from the bag – this packs it in, and you end up with more flour than needed.
- Chill dough: There’s no need to chill the dough. However, on a hot day, the dough might be sticky. In that case, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Watch the baking time: Be careful not to overbake the cookies. Otherwise, the delicate, soft texture won’t be the same. The cookies should have a pale color and not brown.
- Aluminum baking sheets: I recommend light-colored aluminum sheets for baking. Dark cookie sheets bake hotter and can burn the bottoms of your cookies.
- Cool before frosting: The buttercream frosting will melt on warm cookies, so let them cool all the way before icing.
Variations
- Almond extract: Walmart sugar cookies are flavored with synthetic almond flavoring. If you like that flavor, add 1/4 tsp to 1/2 tsp almond extract to the dough.
- Chocolate chips: The recipes make amazing chocolate chip cookies. Fold 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips into the batter and bake as directed.
- Citrus zest: For a nice, zesty citrus flavor, add some finely grated lemon zest or orange zest.
- Holidays: You can adapt the cookies for any holiday by coloring the frosting accordingly and choosing holiday-themed sprinkles.
- Birthdays: To celebrate your kid’s birthday, tint the frosting in their favorite color and use sprinkles that reflect something they love (e.g., dino sprinkles, princess sprinkles, car sprinkles, or sports-themed sprinkles).
Serving ideas
This Walmart sugar cookie recipe is scrumptious and pairs well with many sweet treats and desserts. Try these serving ideas:
- Milk: A tall glass of cold milk is the best cookie companion!
- Coffee: The cookies are also delicious with a cup of hot coffee or iced latte.
- Cookie platter: Add the cookies to your holiday cookie platter together with Danish wedding cookies, ginger cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and snowballs.
Storage instructions
How to store Walmart sugar cookies
Store homemade Walmart sugar cookies in a single layer in an airtight container. They will last 3 to 4 days at room temperature.
Make Walmart frosted cookies ahead of time
You can prepare these frosted cookies a few days in advance. Place them in an airtight, sealed container to keep them soft and fresh until you’re ready to serve.
Can you freeze Walmart sugar cookies?
Yes! Arrange the cookies on a lined cookie sheet and freeze for 1 to 2 hours. Once frozen, place the cookies into a large freezer bag or freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Put parchment (baking) paper between each cookie to prevent them from freezing together. Ideally, you want to freeze the cookies without the frosting.
FAQ
What is cake flour?
Cake flour is a softer, finely-milled flour that’s low in protein. It contains 7 to 9% protein, whereas all-purpose flour has 10 to 12% protein.
The protein content relates to the formation of gluten. Cake flour produces less gluten, which results in a softer and lighter crumb. All-purpose flour creates more gluten and gives baked goods a sturdier texture.
Do I really have to use bleached cake flour?
Yes! Bleached cake flour is treated to taste particularly mild and sweet. It creates not only the soft texture, but also that typical taste of grocery store sugar cookies.
If you study the label of Walmart sugar cookies ingredients, you can see “enriched bleached flour” and “cornstarch” listed. Bleached cake flour is the equivalent of these ingredients.
What if I can’t find bleached cake flour?
If you can’t find bleached cake flour or rather not use it, you can make your own. Just note that the taste and texture will be a bit different.
To make it, sift 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour + 1/2 cup cornstarch into a large bowl. Repeat this process, so the mixture is sifted twice and mimics the consistency of real cake flour.
More cookie recipes
Nothing beats homemade cookies with a glass of milk! If you’re in the market for more ideas, then check out some of our other recipes:
- Classic Sugar Cookies
- Sugar Cookies without Butter
- Meringue Cookies
- Fudge Stripe Cookies
- Coconut Macaroons
- Vanilla Sandwich Cookies
- Rosewater Cookies
- Sakura Cookies
Walmart Sugar Cookies Recipe
Yield: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
This Walmart sugar cookie recipe makes soft, tender sugar cookies with fluffy buttercream frosting and colorful sprinkles on top. They are super simple to make and taste exactly like the grocery store favorite!
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3 cups / 350 g / 12.3 oz bleached cake flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup / 2 sticks / 225 g / 8 oz salted butter, warmed on the counter for 10-15 minutes (or unsalted butter + 1/4 tsp table salt)
- 1 cup / 200 g / 7 oz white granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup / 55 g / 2 oz egg whites (from 2 large eggs)
- 2 tbsp / 30 g / 1 oz heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Frosting
- 1/3 cup / 2/3 stick / 75 g / 2.6 oz salted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups / 255 g / 9 oz powdered (confectioners’/icing) sugar
- 2-3 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pink food coloring (optional)
- sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare for baking. Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C / gas mark 4. Line aluminum baking sheets with parchment (baking) paper. Set aside.
Sift dry ingredients. Sift the cake flour and baking powder into a medium bowl and whisk a few times. - Combine wet ingredients. In a measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the egg whites, cream, and vanilla extract until well combined and hom*ogenous.
- Cream butter and sugar. In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture looks pale, creamy, and fluffy, for about 5 minutes.
- Make cookie dough. With the mixer running, add the egg white-cream mixture in 4 additions until combined. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl halfway through. Decrease the speed to low and add the cake flour mixture. Continue mixing until a soft dough forms and you no longer see streaks of flour.
- Scoop cookies. Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to drop portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave 3-in / 7 cm between each dough ball (the dough will spread as it bakes).
- Bake. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. The cookies should look puffy, pale, and barely golden around the edges.
Cool. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes. Then place them in a single layer into an airtight container to cool completely. The container helps to seal in the moisture. - Make frosting. Add the softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a few drops food coloring (if using) to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or to a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer). Start mixing on low speed to incorporate the powdered sugar. Then mix for 2 to 3 minutes on high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost cookies. Once cool, frost the cookies and decorate with sprinkles. The frosting sets quickly, so add sprinkles immediately after icing a cookie.
- Store. Store the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container. They will last for up to 5 days at room temperature.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 194Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 127mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 2g
