Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are the perfect blend of soft, tender texture and delicate sweetness, making them an absolute must-bake for any cookie lover. The addition of cream cheese elevates these classic treats to another level by imparting a subtle tang and irresistible richness you just can’t get from ordinary sugar cookies. Whether you’re looking for a cookie to decorate for the holidays, a sweet afternoon snack, or something to brighten up a regular day, these Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are always a hit with family and friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering just a handful of kitchen staples, you can whip up a batch of cookies everyone will be raving about. Each ingredient in these Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies serves a purpose, from creating that plush, pillowy texture to enhancing every sweet, aromatic bite with subtle flavor notes.
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup, softened): This provides that classic, buttery richness while allowing you to control the saltiness of your cookies.
- Cream Cheese (3 oz, softened): The star of the show, lending moisture, softness, and a gentle tanginess that sets these cookies apart.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup): For essential sweetness and that irresistible crinkle on top as they bake.
- Large Egg (1): Acts as a binder, giving structure and extra tenderness to each cookie.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Brings warmth and depth—don’t skip it if you want the full flavor experience!
- Almond Extract (½ tsp, optional): Just a hint of this delivers a sophisticated, bakery-style flavor; use it if you love a little almond flair.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 ¼ cups): The foundation of the cookie, balancing moisture and giving you that ideal cut-out consistency.
- Baking Powder (½ tsp): Helps the cookies rise ever-so-slightly, for a cookie that’s light instead of dense.
- Salt (¼ tsp): Enhances all the flavors and keeps the cookies from tasting flat.
How to Make Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar
Start by creaming together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar in a large bowl. You want to beat them until the mixture looks light, fluffy, and almost creamy. This step is key for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are known for! If you have a stand mixer, let it do the heavy lifting for about 2-3 minutes; otherwise, a hand mixer works perfectly.
Step 2: Add the Egg and Extracts
Once the butter, cream cheese, and sugar mixture is beautifully whipped, add in your egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it. Beat until everything is well combined—this is where the magic happens, binding the wet ingredients into one sumptuous batter.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. Incorporating these ingredients before adding to the wet mixture ensures even distribution, so every bite of your Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies is perfectly tender and flavorful.
Step 4: Make the Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing gently after each addition. The dough should come together softly and be just slightly tacky. Avoid over-mixing, as this keeps the cookies from turning tough later. When the dough is ready, divide it in half for easier rolling, flatten into discs, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
Step 5: Chill and Roll
Chill the dough for at least one hour. This step is crucial—it helps the dough firm up and makes it a breeze to roll and cut out. Once chilled, roll out each disc on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about ¼ inch. This ensures your Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies bake up with that signature soft center and just-set edges.
Step 6: Cut and Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare your baking sheets with parchment paper. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut shapes from the rolled dough, placing each cookie about 2 inches apart on the trays. Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden. For a truly soft texture, stick closer to 8 minutes; leave them a bit longer if you prefer a firmer cookie.
Step 7: Cool and Decorate
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Only once fully cooled should you pull out the sprinkles, icing, or sanding sugar to decorate your Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies. Decorating is half the fun, especially if you get the whole family involved!
How to Serve Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
Simple is sometimes best, so try dusting your cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar for quick elegance. For celebrations, get creative with royal icing, sprinkles, or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate. These cookies’ smooth surface is a blank canvas just begging for festive flair—go wild with seasonal colors or edible glitter for a show-stopping tray!
Side Dishes
There’s nothing quite like pairing Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a hot mug of cocoa. If you want to impress at a party, arrange them next to bowls of fresh berries, or serve alongside a fruit platter for a refreshingly light contrast to their rich flavor. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is always welcome for a little extra indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Gift these cookies in cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbon or stack them in a decorative tin for a thoughtful holiday offering. For a dessert table, present the cookies on a pretty cake stand or tiered platter, grouping by shape or color. Don’t be afraid to mix and match icing colors and sprinkle themes—Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are the perfect base for edible artistry!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your cooled Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If you’ve decorated them with icing, allow the decorations to fully set before stacking to avoid smudges. Add a piece of parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
Freezing
You can freeze both the raw cookie dough and the fully baked cookies! For dough, wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to two months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before using. Already-baked cookies freeze beautifully, too; layer them in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers, and they’ll keep for up to three months.
Reheating
If you love slightly warm sugar cookies, you can reheat thawed cookies in a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes. This revives that just-baked aroma and makes the texture irresistibly soft again. Be careful with decorated cookies, as heat can sometimes cause icing to melt or colors to bleed.
FAQs
Can I make these Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend made for baking. The result will be just as tender and delicious, though the texture may be a touch more delicate. Remember to check your other ingredients for hidden gluten, especially baking powder.
Do Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies hold their shape when cut out?
Yes, that’s one of the best parts! Thanks to the creamy dough and proper chilling time, these cookies keep crisp edges and perfect shapes even after baking. They’re fantastic for detailed cookie cutters or holiday shapes.
Can I skip the almond extract?
Definitely. The almond extract is optional and just brings a bakery-style flavor. If you’re not a fan or want a true vanilla sugar cookie, simply leave it out—your Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies will still turn out scrumptious.
Should I decorate before or after baking?
If you’re sprinkling with coarse sugar or sanding sugar, you can do it before baking. For icing, royal frosting, or melted chocolate, always wait until the cookies are fully cooled to help decorations set nicely and keep the colors vibrant.
What’s the secret to perfectly soft Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies?
Chilling the dough thoroughly before rolling is key! Also, watch your bake time: pulling the cookies from the oven when the edges are just set ensures that super-soft, tender center we’re all here for. Every oven is a bit different, so keep a close watch.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a cookie recipe that combines classic comfort with a little extra magic, make these Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies your next baking project. The dough is dreamy to work with, the finished cookies are sure to disappear fast, and the possibilities for creativity are endless. Gather your favorite cookie cutters and decorations, and let these sugar-kissed delights bring a smile to your kitchen!
Print
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chill time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat with a rich, buttery flavor and a hint of tanginess from the cream cheese. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are easy to make and fun to decorate.
Ingredients
Dough:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Creaming the Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Adding Flavors: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using.
- Mixing the Dough: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chilling the Dough: Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters and bake for 8–10 minutes until the edges are golden.
- Cooling and Decorating: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate as desired once fully cooled.
Notes
- These cookies hold their shape well for decorating.
- Adjust baking time for desired cookie texture.
- Dough can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
