Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe: Soft & Buttery Joy

Sweet memories dance through kitchens when cream cheese sugar cookies emerge from warm ovens, promising delightful moments of pure comfort.

Soft and delicate, these treats whisper childhood nostalgia with every tender bite.

Butter melts into creamy cheese, creating a magical base that promises irresistible texture.

Delicate sugars caramelize along golden edges, delivering a symphony of sweetness that makes hearts flutter.

Baking becomes an art form when simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary.

Gentle mixing and careful technique guarantee cookies that melt perfectly on your tongue.

Each crumb carries love, waiting to be shared with those who appreciate home-baked perfection.

Keep Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Fresh

• Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. They'll stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Wrap unfrosted cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Cookies maintain quality for 2-3 months when frozen. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 8-10 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the delicate texture.
• If cookies become slightly stale, add a slice of bread to the container overnight. The moisture will help restore softness and keep cookies tender.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Pairings

• Pair Sweet Vanilla Chai Tea: Smooth, creamy tea complements the soft, buttery cookie texture with warm spices that enhance the vanilla notes.
• Complement Sparkling Moscato: Light, sweet white wine creates a delightful balance against the rich, sugary cookie, bringing out subtle flavor nuances.
• Match Fresh Berry Compote: Tangy berry sauce provides a bright, fruity contrast to the sweet, rich cookie, adding depth and refreshing complexity.
• Serve Whipped Lavender Cream: Delicate lavender-infused whipped cream adds an elegant, aromatic touch that elevates the cookie's simple sweetness.

Matcha Donuts with St. Patrick’s Day Flair

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour to create a celiac-friendly cookie that maintains the same creamy texture and delicious flavor.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap butter and cream cheese with coconut oil and dairy-free cream cheese alternative to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals while preserving the recipe's soft consistency.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar, reducing calorie content and making the cookies suitable for diabetic or health-conscious individuals.
• Vegan Transformation: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter and dairy-free cream cheese to create a completely plant-based version of these classic sugar cookies.

FAQs

• Why do I need to chill the cookie dough?

Chilling helps prevent spreading during baking, making your cookies maintain their precise shape and texture. It also allows the flour to fully absorb moisture, resulting in a more flavorful and tender cookie.

• Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While possible, butter provides superior flavor and texture. Margarine can change the cookie’s consistency and may not deliver the same rich taste that butter naturally offers.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and a set center. The cookies should appear slightly firm but not dark brown. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

• What type of flour works best for these cookies?

All-purpose flour is ideal. It provides the right protein content for a tender yet structured cookie. Avoid cake flour, which might make the cookies too delicate, or bread flour, which could make them tough.

Sugar Cookies With a Creamy Twist

• Quick-to-Make Delight: Whip up these delectable cream cheese sugar cookies in under an hour of active preparation time, perfect for busy bakers looking for a fast sweet treat.
• Versatile Decorating Canvas: Transform plain cookies into stunning masterpieces with endless decoration options like powdered sugar, festive sprinkles, or intricate royal icing designs that showcase your creativity.
• Crowd-Pleasing Texture: Enjoy incredibly soft, tender cookies with a rich cream cheese base that delivers a melt-in-your-mouth experience, making them irresistible for both kids and adults at gatherings, parties, or casual family dessert times.
• Beginner-Friendly Recipe: Master this foolproof recipe with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, allowing even novice bakers to confidently create professional-looking cookies without complicated techniques or specialized equipment.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Ingredient Guide

Main Ingredients:

• Butter: Rich base that provides tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and delicious flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Adds tangy softness and helps create a smooth, creamy cookie.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structure to the cookie.

• All-Purpose Flour: Core ingredient that creates the cookie's basic structure and texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and creates a light, soft consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps cookies achieve golden color during baking.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor and aromatic depth to the cookies.

• Powdered Sugar: Perfect for dusting and creating a decorative, light finish.
• Royal Icing: Great for detailed decorations and adding colorful designs.
• Festive Sprinkles: Adds visual appeal and fun texture to the cookies.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Baking Guide

Step 1: Whip Together Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar

In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously blend butter, cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous, taking about 2-3 minutes.

Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, stirring until perfectly integrated.

• Butter
• Cream Cheese
• Sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla Extract

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

Grab a separate bowl and thoroughly blend flour, baking powder, and salt using a whisk.

Slowly introduce the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until the dough forms cohesively.

• Flour
• Baking Powder
• Salt

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Encase the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour or up to an entire night.

This crucial step ensures your cookies maintain their delightful shape during baking.

Step 4: Shape and Cut Cookies

Heat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Dust a clean surface with flour and roll out the chilled dough to a quarter-inch thickness.

Use festive cookie cutters to create charming shapes, then gently transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the cookies into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden hue.

Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Step 6: Decorate and Celebrate

Unleash your creativity!

Sprinkle powdered sugar, add playful toppings, or adorn with vibrant royal icing to make these cookies absolutely irresistible.

Sugar Cookie Tips That Make Cream Cheese Shine

• Let butter and cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free blending.
• Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined to keep cookies tender and prevent tough texture.
• Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour to help cookies maintain sharp cut-out shapes and prevent spreading during baking.
• Roll dough consistently to ¼-inch thickness using guide sticks or rolling pin rings for uniform baking and professional-looking cookies.
• Experiment with different extracts like almond, lemon, or orange to create unique flavor profiles that complement your decorating style.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet cream cheese sugar cookies blend classic comfort with delightful indulgence. Rich, buttery, and impossibly tender, these cookies promise a melt-in-your-mouth experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ounces (85 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 1/2 cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Decorating Ingredients (Optional):

• Sprinkles
• Powdered sugar
• Royal icing or buttercream frosting

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Instructions

1. Prepare the creamy foundation by whipping butter, cream cheese, and sugar in a spacious mixing vessel until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency, approximately 2-3 minutes of vigorous blending.
2. Introduce the egg and vanilla extract, thoroughly integrating these liquid components to create a smooth, uniform base.
3. In a separate container, gently combine flour, baking powder, and salt using a delicate whisking motion to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
4. Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring with precision until the dough forms a cohesive mass, taking care not to overmix.
5. Encase the dough in plastic wrap, allowing it to rest and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour, which helps solidify the texture and enhance flavor development.
6. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
7. Dust a clean surface with a fine layer of flour, then carefully roll the chilled dough to a uniform ¼-inch thickness using gentle, even pressure.
8. Employ cookie cutters to create festive shapes, transferring each delicate cutout to the prepared baking sheets with careful precision.
9. Slide the cookies into the preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until the edges develop a subtle golden hue.
10. Allow the freshly baked cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes, facilitating initial cooling and preventing potential breakage.
11. Migrate the cookies to a wire cooling rack, letting them reach room temperature completely.
12. Elevate the visual appeal by dusting with powdered sugar, sprinkling decorative toppings, or embellishing with vibrant royal icing for a spectacular finishing touch.

Notes

• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading, ensuring crisp cookie edges and maintaining intricate shapes during baking.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better incorporation, creating a more uniform cookie texture.
• Experiment with alternative flour options like gluten-free blends for those with dietary restrictions, maintaining the cookie’s delicate flavor profile.
• Roll dough between parchment paper sheets to minimize additional flour and prevent tough, dry cookies, resulting in tender, melt-in-your-mouth treats.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 135
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg