Heavenly Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe for Sweet Moments

Sweet dreams start with a delightful cream cheese sugar cookies recipe that melts in your mouth.

Soft and pillowy textures define these irresistible treats.

Bakers love how simple ingredients combine into something magical.

Whispers of vanilla dance through each perfectly golden edge.

Warmth radiates from the kitchen as these cookies cool on wire racks.

Crisp yet tender, they promise pure comfort in every bite.

Let’s bake something extraordinary that makes everyone smile.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies to Sweeten Your Day

• Craft with Ease: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, these cream cheese sugar cookies require minimal technical expertise and deliver delightful results every single time.
• Customize Like a Pro: Versatile recipe allows endless decorating options from simple powdered sugar dusting to elaborate royal icing designs, making them ideal for holidays, birthdays, or casual gatherings.
• Prep-Ahead Convenience: Dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, allowing busy home bakers to break the process into manageable steps without compromising taste or texture.
• Family Baking Adventure: Engaging recipe provides wonderful opportunity for kids and adults to connect through fun cookie cutting and decorating activities, creating memorable shared experiences in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Soft Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

• Butter: The base that provides rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
• Cream Cheese: Adds moisture and a subtle tangy flavor to the cookie dough.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a golden, crisp exterior when baked.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie.
• Flour: The primary dry ingredient that gives the cookies their structure and shape.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, tender texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies and balances the sweetness.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor that complements the butter and cream cheese.
• Powdered Sugar: Optional topping that adds a sweet, decorative finish to the cookies.

Step-by-Step Cream Cheese Cookie Instructions

Step 1: Whip Creamy Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend butter, cream cheese, and sugar until they transform into a cloud-like, airy mixture. Beat energetically for a few minutes until the texture becomes supremely smooth.

Introduce egg and vanilla extract, stirring until everything melds together perfectly.

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

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

Grab a separate bowl and gently whisk flour, baking powder, and salt until they’re evenly combined.

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the creamy base, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing. Stop mixing the moment the dough looks unified.

• Flour
• Baking Powder
• Salt

Step 3: Chill and Rest Dough

Wrap the dough completely in plastic wrap, tucking the edges securely. Slide the bundle into the refrigerator and let it rest for a minimum of one hour.

This cooling period helps cookies maintain their delightful shape during baking.

Step 4: Shape Magical Cookies

Warm up the oven to 350F.

Cover baking sheets with parchment paper. Dust a clean surface with flour and roll out the chilled dough to a delicate 14-inch thickness.

Use playful cookie cutters to create exciting shapes, then gently transfer them onto prepared baking sheets.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

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

Watch for edges turning a soft golden color, indicating they’re ready. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

Step 6: Decorate with Joy

Transform plain cookies into stunning treats by dusting with powdered sugar, sprinkling festive toppings, or adorning with vibrant royal icing. Let your creativity shine and make each cookie a delicious masterpiece!

Tips for Perfect Texture and Flavor

• Dust your work surface and rolling pin with flour to stop the dough from clinging and make rolling smooth and easy.
• Chill the dough for at least an hour before cutting to ensure cookies hold their precise shapes during baking and prevent spreading.
• Roll dough evenly to 1/4-inch thickness for consistent baking and uniform cookie texture, using guide rings or wooden dowels if needed.
• Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when edges turn light golden to keep them soft, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to preserve freshness and prevent sticking for up to a week.

Variations to Personalize Cookies

• Holiday Spice Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 12 teaspoon nutmeg, and 14 teaspoon cloves to the dry ingredients for a warm, festive flavor profile.
• Citrus Zest Cookies: Mix in 1 tablespoon orange or lemon zest during the wet ingredient stage to create a bright, refreshing taste.
• Chocolate Chip Cookies: Fold 12 cup mini chocolate chips into the dough before chilling for a classic sweet addition.
• Almond Extract Cookies: Replace vanilla extract with almond extract and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking for a nutty, aromatic variation.

Pairing Ideas for Cookies and Drinks

• Pair Creamy Vanilla Milkshake: Blend vanilla ice cream, whole milk, and a splash of pure vanilla extract to complement the cookie's delicate flavor profile.
• Enhance Sweet Tea Infusion: Brew a light, honey-sweetened tea with hints of chamomile or lavender to balance the cookie's rich, buttery texture.
• Match Spiced Chai Latte: Prepare a warm chai latte with cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger to provide a sophisticated, aromatic contrast to the sugary cookie.
• Explore Almond Sparkling Mocktail: Mix almond syrup, sparkling water, and a touch of vanilla for a refreshing, light beverage that won't overpower the cookie's subtle sweetness.

Storage Advice for Sugar Cookies

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent crumbling.

Wrap individual cookies or entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Preheat oven to 300F. Place cookies on baking sheet, warm for 3-5 minutes. Check frequently to prevent over-browning. Restores slight crispness and fresh-baked warmth.

Heat cookies on microwave-safe plate for 10-15 seconds. Best for immediate soft consumption. Avoid overheating to prevent texture changes.

FAQs

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator. This actually helps develop richer flavor and makes the dough easier to handle.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading during baking?

Chilling the dough is key. Make sure to refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour before rolling and cutting. Also, ensure your butter and cream cheese are not too soft when mixing.

• What's the best way to roll out the cookie dough?

Use a lightly floured surface and roll the dough to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Rolling pin rings or guide sticks can help maintain consistent thickness for uniform baking.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet dreams come alive with these cream cheese sugar cookies, blending classic comfort and delicate flavor. Perfectly balanced between tender crumb and rich texture, you’ll savor each delightful bite of this irresistible homemade treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies:

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ounces (85 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Decorations (Optional):

• Sprinkles
• Powdered sugar
• Royal icing or buttercream frosting

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and vigorously blend butter, cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture transforms into a creamy, aerated consistency, approximately 2-3 minutes.
2. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, stirring thoroughly until the ingredients harmonize seamlessly.
3. In a separate container, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, ensuring a uniform texture.
4. Gradually integrate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, gently folding until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
5. Envelop the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, allowing the ingredients to meld and the dough to firm up.
6. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Dust a clean surface with flour and roll the chilled dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
8. Utilize cookie cutters to create desired shapes, delicately transferring each piece onto the prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for edges to turn a light golden hue.
10. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before relocating to a wire cooling rack.
11. Embellish with powdered sugar, festive sprinkles, or royal icing for a delightful, personalized touch.

Notes

• Soften butter and cream cheese at room temperature beforehand to ensure smooth, even mixing without lumps.
• Use a stand mixer or electric hand mixer for the best creaming technique, which incorporates air for lighter cookies.
• Chill dough for at least 2 hours or overnight to prevent spreading and maintain intricate cookie shapes during baking.
• Rotate baking sheets halfway through cooking to guarantee uniform golden edges and prevent uneven browning.
• Dust work surface lightly with flour to prevent sticky dough from sticking and making rolling challenging.
• Store decorated cookies in an airtight container between parchment layers to maintain texture and prevent crumbling.
• Replace wheat flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version without compromising taste or texture.
• Experiment with different extracts like almond or lemon to create unique flavor variations that surprise taste buds.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg