The Perfect Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe for Sweet Treats

Soft and delightful cream cheese sugar cookies melt in your mouth with pure comfort.

Sweet aromas will drift through your kitchen, promising delectable moments ahead.

Baking these treats connects generations of home cooks who cherish simple pleasures.

Grandmothers and mothers have passed down similar recipes, sharing love through each carefully crafted bite.

Small details make these cookies extraordinary – like a pinch of vanilla or carefully creamed ingredients.

Mixing becomes an intimate dance of flour, sugar, and cream cheese that transforms ordinary moments into magical memories.

Let passion guide you toward creating something wonderfully delicious that sparks joy in every single crumb.

Why Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Hit the Mark

• Craft Creamy Delights: These cream cheese sugar cookies deliver a luxurious, velvety texture that melts in your mouth with every bite, creating a heavenly dessert experience.
• Customize with Ease: Personalize the cookies by adding colorful sprinkles, drizzling different glazes, or experimenting with fun decorations that make each batch unique and exciting.
• No-Fuss Baking Process: Simple ingredients and straightforward mixing technique make this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned home cooks who want a quick sweet treat.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Perfect for family gatherings, holiday parties, potlucks, or casual weekend baking, these cookies are sure to impress everyone with their rich, buttery flavor and elegant appearance.

What You Need for These Soft Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Cream Cheese: Adds moisture and tangy richness to the cookie.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create a crisp exterior.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze for topping the cookies.

• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure to the cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, sweet essence.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base structure of the cookies.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and tender.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

• Milk, Cream: Helps create a smooth, pourable glaze consistency.

How to Bake Cream Cheese Cookies with Ease

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Slide the oven rack to the middle position and crank up the temperature to 350F (175C). Grab a baking sheet and dress it up with parchment paper for a smooth cookie-baking experience.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• Cream cheese
• Granulated sugar

Whip these ingredients together until they transform into a silky, pale mixture that looks like a cloud.

Step 3: Bring in the Moisture

Crack open an egg and pour in some vanilla extract.

Blend these into your creamy base until everything hugs together perfectly.

Step 4: Craft the Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Stir with a light touch – we want tender cookies, not tough ones!

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

Scoop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.

Leave some breathing room between each cookie – about 2 inches apart.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the tray into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Watch for those edges to turn a gorgeous golden color. The centers might look shy and soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool.

Step 7: Cool Down

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to chill completely.

Step 8: Add the Finishing Touch

• Powdered sugar
• Milk (or cream)
• Vanilla extract

Drizzle or spread this magical glaze over the cooled cookies. Wait for the glaze to set before diving in.

Smart Tips for Sugar Cookie Perfection

• Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Stop stirring as soon as dry ingredients are incorporated to keep cookies soft and tender.
• Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
• Add milk or powdered sugar gradually to achieve desired glaze thickness for drizzling or spreading.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

Creative Touches for Cream Cheese Cookies

• Lemon Zest Cookies: Add fresh lemon zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the cream cheese base.
• Almond Joy Variation: Mix in almond extract and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking for a nutty, aromatic cookie.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same tender texture for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Chocolate Chip Upgrade: Fold in mini chocolate chips or chunks into the dough for a classic sweet addition to the cream cheese cookie.

What Goes Well with These Sweet Cookies

Enjoy these cream cheese sugar cookies alongside a delicate chamomile tea or a classic vanilla latte for a harmonious flavor combination that complements the cookie’s creamy sweetness.

Uncork a glass of moscato or late harvest riesling to enhance the cookie’s subtle richness, creating a luxurious dessert experience that balances the cookie’s delicate texture.

Serve with a chilled raspberry spritzer or fresh strawberry smoothie to add a bright, tangy contrast that cuts through the cookie’s rich, buttery profile and provides a refreshing palate cleanser.

Match with a smooth cold brew or cappuccino, letting the coffee’s robust notes highlight the cookie’s delicate vanilla and cream cheese undertones, creating a perfect afternoon treat.

How to Keep Cream Cheese Cookies Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent the cream cheese from spoiling.
• Wrap unbaked or baked cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before glazing and serving.
• Carefully layer glazed cookies with wax paper in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator for best texture.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft, tender texture.

FAQs

• What makes cream cheese important in these cookies?

Cream cheese adds moisture, softness, and a subtle tangy flavor that makes these cookies richer and more tender compared to traditional sugar cookies.

• Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

Regular full-fat cream cheese works best. Low-fat versions might change the texture and richness of the cookies, potentially making them less smooth and tender.

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

Look for lightly golden edges while the centers remain soft. They will continue setting as they cool, so avoid overbaking to maintain a soft, delicate texture.

• Why should I avoid overmixing the dough?

Overmixing develops gluten, which can make cookies tough and dense. Gently mixing until ingredients are just combined ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet dreams come alive with these cream cheese sugar cookies, a delightful blend of creamy richness and sugary perfection. Pillowy edges and delicate centers promise a melt-in-your-mouth experience that will transport you straight to bakery bliss.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour

Binding Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

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

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
2. Using an electric mixer, blend butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and pale.
3. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until ingredients are fully integrated.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking to ensure even distribution.
5. Fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Minimize mixing to maintain cookie tenderness.
6. Portion dough using a tablespoon, dropping rounded mounds onto prepared baking sheets with approximately 2 inches of spacing between each cookie.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for light golden edges while centers remain slightly soft.
8. After removing from oven, allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize.
9. Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, letting them reach room temperature completely.
10. Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
11. Once cookies are cooled, drizzle or spread glaze evenly across the surface, allowing it to set before serving.

Notes

• Softening ingredients like butter and cream cheese at room temperature ensures smooth, even mixing and prevents lumpy dough.
• Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps prevent spreading and maintains the cookie’s shape.
• Use parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cookie removal and even browning.
• Customize the glaze by adding food coloring or flavored extracts for festive variations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 137
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 64 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 17 mg