The Best Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe for Sweet Treats

Cream cheese sugar cookies offer a delightful twist on traditional sweet treats that melt in your mouth with incredible softness.

These delectable delights combine smooth, rich dairy with classic baking ingredients to create something truly magical.

Bakers adore this recipe for its simplicity and remarkable texture that sets it apart from ordinary cookie varieties.

The creamy element revolutionizes an everyday sugar cookie into an extraordinary experience that feels luxurious yet approachable.

Perfectly balanced between tangy and sweet, these cookies promise a melt-in-your-mouth sensation that leaves everyone craving another bite.

Soft, pillowy, and irresistibly tender, they represent the pinnacle of comfort baking that anyone can master with minimal effort.

Gathering the right ingredients will set you up for cookie success that impresses friends and family alike.

Why Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Keep Making a Comeback

• Creamy Texture Delight: These cookies boast an incredibly smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture thanks to the magical combination of cream cheese and butter, creating a luxuriously soft bite that's both rich and delicate.
• Versatile Decorating Dream: The simple sugar cookie base provides a perfect canvas for creativity, allowing bakers to transform plain cookies into stunning works of art with easy icing techniques and various cookie cutter shapes.
• Effortless Crowd-Pleaser: With straightforward preparation steps and minimal ingredients, these cookies are a foolproof recipe that delivers professional-looking results, making them ideal for home bakers of all skill levels who want to impress family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Make-Ahead Magic: The overnight chilling technique not only develops deeper flavors but also offers convenient prep, letting you make the dough in advance and bake fresh cookies whenever the craving strikes or a special occasion calls.

What You Need for Silky, Sweet Cream Cheese Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• Butter: A creamy fat that provides rich flavor and tender texture to the cookies.
• Cream Cheese: Adds moisture and a subtle tangy flavor, making cookies extra soft and delicious.

• Granulated Sugar: Primary sweetener that helps create a crisp cookie texture and golden color.

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure builder for the cookie, providing necessary texture and stability.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

Supporting Ingredients:

• Vanilla Extract: Classic flavor enhancer that adds depth and warmth to the cookie.
• Almond Extract: Provides a subtle, nutty background note that complements the sweet base.

• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness to the cookie dough.

Optional Finishing Ingredients:

• Canned Frosting: Easy icing option for decorating and adding a sweet finish to the cookies.

How to Whip Up These Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cookies

Step 1: Create Magical Dough Mixture

• Room temperature butter
• Cream cheese
• Granulated sugar

Whip these ingredients with an electric mixer until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like texture, about 5 minutes. Scrape down bowl sides to ensure everything gets blended perfectly.

Step 2: Add Flavor Boosters

• Egg
• Almond extract
• Vanilla extract

Beat until everything dances together smoothly.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk until perfectly combined.

Step 4: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly introduce dry ingredients to wet mixture, adding about 1/2 cup at a time. Mix gently after each addition. Scrape bowl sides to ensure perfect blending.

Step 5: Rest and Chill Dough

Divide dough into two equal disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight to let flavors mingle and develop.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 7: Roll and Shape Cookies

Remove dough from refrigerator. Let sit for 5 minutes to soften slightly.

Dust work surface with flour. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness.

Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes. Transfer to baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between cookies.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide baking sheets into preheated oven. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges turn light golden and cookies puff up slightly.

Step 9: Cool and Decorate

Let cookies cool completely on baking sheets.

• Remove frosting seal
• Microwave 30 seconds
• Stir
• Continue microwaving in 15-second bursts
• Stir between each burst
• Use when slightly cooled for perfect consistency

Simple Tips to Keep Your Cookies Pillowy Soft

• Chill Strategically: Refrigerate dough overnight to develop rich flavors and prevent spreading during baking.
• Roll with Precision: Use a light touch when rolling dough, maintaining a consistent ½-inch thickness for uniform cookies.
• Temperature Matters: Let butter and cream cheese reach room temperature for smoother, more homogeneous mixing.
• Flour Wisely: Lightly dust work surface to prevent sticking without adding excess flour that can dry out cookies.
• Cool Completely: Allow cookies to cool entirely on baking sheets to maintain their delicate structure and prevent breaking.

Storing Sugar Cookies Without Losing That Soft Bite

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep them flat to prevent breaking or smudging decorations.
• Freeze: Wrap undecorated cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before adding icing.
• Reheat: Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 5-10 seconds to restore softness. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out or losing delicate texture.

What Pairs Well with These Rich Sugar Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Chai Latte: Complement the sweet, delicate cream cheese cookie with a warm, spicy chai latte. The aromatic blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger will enhance the cookie's subtle almond and vanilla notes.
• Match with Raspberry Sorbet: Serve alongside a refreshing raspberry sorbet to balance the cookie's rich, buttery texture. The tart, vibrant fruit will cut through the sweetness and provide a cool contrast.
• Enjoy with Moscato Dessert Wine: Indulge in a glass of light, sweet Moscato wine that echoes the cookie's delicate flavor profile. The wine's subtle peach and orange blossom undertones will beautifully highlight the cookie's creamy essence.
• Combine with Lavender Earl Grey Tea: Brew a fragrant cup of lavender Earl Grey tea to complement the cookie's elegant flavor. The floral and bergamot notes will create a sophisticated and harmonious pairing.

Variations for Every Cookie Mood

• Citrus Zest Cookies: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the dough for a bright, refreshing flavor that elevates the classic cream cheese cookie.
• Spiced Holiday Version: Mix in ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of ginger to transform these cookies into a festive winter treat that warms the soul.
• Chocolate-Dipped Elegance: After baking and cooling, partially dip each cookie in melted dark or white chocolate, then sprinkle with crushed nuts or holiday-themed decorations for an extra layer of indulgence.
• Nutty Crunch Modification: Fold finely chopped pecans or almonds into the dough before chilling, creating a delightful textural contrast and adding a subtle nutty undertone to the sweet cream cheese base.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Silky cream cheese sugar cookies melt with delicate perfection on palates. Delightful Southern-style treats deliver classic comfort, inviting gentle sweetness and rich bakery memories you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dairy:

• 1 cup (227 grams) butter, room temperature
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 large egg, room temperature

Sweeteners:

• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar

Baking Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups (438 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorating:

• 2 cans store-bought frosting or homemade icing

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Instructions

1. Cream the butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar in a spacious mixing bowl using a hand mixer until the mixture transforms into a voluminous, airy texture, approximately 5 minutes. Meticulously scrape the bowl’s sides to ensure uniform blending.
2. Incorporate the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract into the creamy base, mixing thoroughly until completely integrated.
3. In a separate vessel, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt until uniformly combined.
4. Gradually introduce the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, adding roughly ½ cup increments and mixing minimally after each addition. Pause to clear the bowl’s edges between each flour incorporation.
5. Partition the dough into two symmetrical disks, envelop each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight to enhance flavor development and structural integrity.
6. Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Extract one dough disk, allowing it to soften slightly at room temperature for approximately 5 minutes.
8. Gently roll the dough to a ½-inch thickness on a flour-dusted surface, then utilize cookie cutters to create desired shapes.
9. Transfer cookie shapes onto prepared baking sheets, maintaining a 2-inch separation between each.
10. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges appear set and cookies exhibit a slight puffiness.
11. Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheets before embellishing.
12. For icing preparation, remove frosting can’s foil seal and microwave for 30 seconds, stirring periodically.
13. Continue heating in 15-second intervals, stirring between each, until the frosting achieves a pourable consistency.
14. Let the icing cool momentarily, adjusting its thickness for either precise piping or complete cookie coverage.

Notes

• Chilling the dough overnight enhances flavor development and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
• Room temperature ingredients ensure smooth mixing and consistent cookie texture.
• Use a light hand when mixing flour to avoid tough, dense cookies that lack delicate crumb.
• Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheets to prevent breaking and maintain structural integrity.
• Create perfect icing consistency by microwaving frosting in short intervals and stirring between each burst.
• Spacing cookies 2 inches apart prevents them from merging and maintains individual shape during baking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus overnight chilling)
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg