ALMOND SUGAR COOKIES (LAURA'S COPYCAT RECIPE) (2024)

ALMOND SUGAR COOKIES (LAURA'S COPYCAT RECIPE) (1)

In Dayton, Ohio there is a grocery store chain called Dorothy Lane Market (DLM). They have an amazing bakery and one of their most famous items is their “Laura’s Cookies”. They are almondy deliciousness and they have been a favorite of mine for years. I’ve tried to find recipes, but since there aren’t any, I decided to try and make my own…and this is as close as I could get! Now living states away, these cookies remind me of home <3

This recipe has been updated as of January 2023. I am a bit of a perfectionist so I've been continuously modifying and updating the recipe - if you have any questions about previous versions, don't hesitate to reach out! I've included the ingredients to the older recipes at the bottom of this page.

ALMOND SUGAR COOKIES (LAURA'S COPYCAT RECIPE) (2)

ALMOND SUGAR COOKIES (LAURA'S COPYCAT RECIPE) (3)

ALMOND SUGAR COOKIES (LAURA'S COPYCAT RECIPE) (4)

I used my Almond Sugar Cookie Recipe for the base and an almond flavored royal icing for the frosting.

Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE COOKIES:

  • 12 TABLESPOONS OF SOFTENED UNSALTED BUTTER
  • 1 CUP GRANULATED SUGAR
  • 2 EGGS
  • 2 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT
  • 1/2 TSP ALMOND EXTRACT (OR USE 1/4 TSP IF YOU DON’T WANT THE FLAVOR AS STRONG)
  • 3 CUP FLOUR (ALL-PURPOSE)
  • 1 TSP BAKING POWDER
  • 1/2 TSP SALT

FOR THE ICING:

  • 10 OZ POWDERED SUGAR
  • 3 TBSP MERINGUE POWDER
  • 1/4 CUP WATER
  • 2 TSP ALMOND EXTRACT
  • GEL FOOD COLORING
  • SPRINKLES/COLORED SUGAR/ETC.

OTHER ITEMS:

  • PARCHMENT PAPER
  • ROLLING PIN
  • BAKING SHEETS
  • PIPING BAGS (OR SANDWICH BAGS WORK GREAT TOO!)
  • COOKIE CUTTERS

________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS:

FOR THE COOKIES:

Beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract.

Add the flour mixture into the wet mixture and mix until combined.

On a sheet of parchment paper, roll out the dough (with rolling pin) to desired thickness (I made it about 1/4 inch thick). Then place your flattened dough into the fridge to cool (1-2 hours is preferred)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Take out your chilled dough (still on the parchment paper) and cutout your cookies to desired shape.

Put cookies into the fridge for another 20-30 minutes before you put it in the oven to prevent spreading.

Take the cookies out and place a few inches apart on a baking sheet. Put into the oven for 8-10 minutes.

Pull the cookies out when they are a light pale color and the top of the cookies aren’t glossy anymore - take out of the oven right before they start to turn golden, you don't want to overbake!

Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes, then move to baking sheet.

Let the cookies cool completely before decorating

FOR THE ICING:

In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, mix the powdered sugar, meringue powder, water, and almond extract for about 5 minutes on low speed (if you don't have a stand mixer, you can also whisk the mixture by hand!)

If you want to use food coloring, mix in a few drops of the gel food coloring to the mixture and stir it in — I split the icing into two bowls and color them

To make the icing thinner, add more water (I use a thinner icing to make the base color)

To make the icing thicker, add more powdered sugar (I use a thicker icing for details)

Decorate your cookie with your chosen consistency and coloring - you can use piping bags here for details, or use spatulas/knives/spoons to achieve a solid base of icing

To get the Laura’s cookie “look”, apply a thinner icing to the cookie and put it to the side until completely dried. Then, apply a thicker icing as detail and finish with some colored sugar.

________________________________________

Some tips:

After cutting out the cookies from flattened dough, reform dough and roll out to continue process until you've used it all up.

Let unfrosted cookies cool completely. I put mine in the fridge for a few hours. But, if they are still warm when you put icing on, it will melt right off.

When making the icing, using a stand mixer works best, although you could probably do it by hand if you really want to. The mixer just makes it super smooth.

Don’t put iced cookies in the fridge right away. The icing wont set if its cold and it just slides right off the cookie (I learned this the hard way!). Just leave out on the counter for a few hours to set.

If you don't have a piping bag, you can take a sandwich bag and fill with icing as you would a piping bag. Simply snip off a small corner at the bottom to dispense!

ALMOND SUGAR COOKIES (LAURA'S COPYCAT RECIPE) (5)

________________________________________

Previous Recipe Notes:

If you prefer the older versions of this recipe, please see below for ingredient lists. Directions follow similarly to the steps in the most recent recipe, although the previous recipes with sour cream and shortening are incorporated following creaming the butter and sugar. The icing recipe is the same as the current version.

VERSION 1:

  • 8 TABLESPOONS OF SOFTENED BUTTER (SALTED) —
    (YOU CAN ALSO USE 8 TBSP UNSALTED BUTTER AND 1/4 TSP SALT)
  • 1 1/2 CUP GRANULATED SUGAR
  • 1/4 CUP SOUR CREAM
  • 2 EGGS
  • 2 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT
  • 1/2 TSP ALMOND EXTRACT (OR USE 1/4 TSP IF YOU DON’T WANT THE FLAVOR AS STRONG)
  • 2 3/4 CUP FLOUR (ALL-PURPOSE)
  • 1/2 TSP BAKING POWDER

VERSION 2:

  • 8 TABLESPOONS OF SOFTENED BUTTER (SALTED) —
    (YOU CAN ALSO USE 8 TBSP UNSALTED BUTTER AND 1/4 TSP SALT)
  • 3 TABLESPOONS OF SHORTENING
  • 1 3/4 CUP GRANULATED SUGAR
  • 1/4 CUP SOUR CREAM
  • 2 EGGS
  • 2 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT
  • 1/2 TSP ALMOND EXTRACT (OR USE 1/4 TSP IF YOU DON’T WANT THE FLAVOR AS STRONG)
  • 3 1/4 CUP FLOUR (ALL-PURPOSE)
  • 1/2 TSP BAKING POWDER
ALMOND SUGAR COOKIES (LAURA'S COPYCAT RECIPE) (2024)

FAQs

How to make package sugar cookies better? ›

Add different flavors.

You could use peppermint, lemon, or almond extract instead of vanilla, dump in plenty of rainbow sprinkles, or even mix in chopped nuts or dried fruit! Let your kids be involved in the planning and let them experiment with different ingredients.

How to improve Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix? ›

Easy Add-In: After creating the dough according to the sugar cookie mix instructions, Add 2 tablespoons of sour cream to create a tangier, cakier and all-around more flavorful cookie. Flavor Twist: For a punchier twist, swap the water in the sugar cookie mix instructions for rum, bourbon or coffee liqueur.

Why do sugar cookies crack? ›

Issues with cracking usually derive from the sugar coating, not enough or expired baking powder or baking soda, or the oven temperature isn't hot enough. Solution: Granulated sugar is more effective at drying the surface than powdered sugar.

How to make store bought sugar cookies taste homemade? ›

Here's how you can improve premade cookie dough or dough from a mix.
  1. Add spice to your dough. ...
  2. Punch up the flavor of your cookies by adding extracts. ...
  3. Before baking, roll the dough in a garnish of your choice. ...
  4. Stir nuts right into the dough for an added crunch. ...
  5. Add in your favorite savory snacks, like chips or pretzels.
Aug 3, 2020

How to jazz up boxed sugar cookie mix? ›

One option is to mix in some vanilla extract or almond extract to enhance the overall taste . You can also add in some cinnamon , nutmeg , or other spices to give the cookies a warm and cozy flavor . Another option is to mix in some chocolate chips , dried fruit , or nuts for added texture and flavor .

What can I add to store-bought sugar cookie mix? ›

A teaspoon or two of extracts will noticeably boost flavor when blended into your sugar cookie mix. Vanilla is the obvious choice. For a more intriguing flavor, add both vanilla and almond extracts. Rum, maple and anise are other delicious varieties to consider.

What can I add to sugar cookie mix that is too dry? ›

To avoid this, try using as little flour as possible while preparing to roll your dough. Dry – “Dry” or “Crumbly” dough is a product of over-mixing or using too much of any ingredient during the mixing process. This can be reversed by adding one to two tablespoons of liquid (water, milk or softened butter) to your mix.

Why do people put fork holes in sugar cookies? ›

You can use a fork or a dough docker to prick small holes all over the surface of the dough. By venting the steam, docking keeps the dough from billowing or heaving as it bakes. It's an important step for crisp cookies or that are baked all in a single sheet and not cut up until they come out of the oven.

Do you grease a cookie sheet for sugar cookies? ›

Should I grease my cookie sheets? Unless the recipe tells you to grease the cookie sheet, resist the impulse. The extra grease causes cookie dough (which already contains a lot of fat) to spread. If you're concerned about cookies sticking, line the cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone non-stick mat.

Can I put underbaked cookies back in the oven? ›

That first bite may excite you, but as your teeth sink into the center, so will your heart as you realize that time and effort have translated into potential waste. But this doesn't have to be the end for your underdone cookies, simply return them to the oven for a second round of baking.

Is meringue powder the same as cream of tartar? ›

Meringue powder and cream of tartar are quite different in terms of composition and functionality. Meringue powder is made mostly of dried egg whites and can be mixed with water to create a meringue. Cream of tartar is a stabilizer and is sometimes used in making meringue to keep the eggs from collapsing.

How do you make packet cookies taste better? ›

No one will even suspect they're store-bought (and we won't tell anyone!).
  1. Add brown sugar. ...
  2. Experiment with extracts. ...
  3. Mix in different candies and snacks. ...
  4. Add espresso or coffee grounds. ...
  5. Deepen the flavors by refrigerating the dough. ...
  6. Salt before baking the cookies. ...
  7. Reduce baking time for extra soft cookies.

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