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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Incorporate the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract into the creamy base, mixing thoroughly until completely integrated.
- In a separate vessel, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt until uniformly combined.
- 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.
- Partition the dough into two symmetrical disks, envelop each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight to enhance flavor development and structural integrity.
- Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Extract one dough disk, allowing it to soften slightly at room temperature for approximately 5 minutes.
- Gently roll the dough to a ½-inch thickness on a flour-dusted surface, then utilize cookie cutters to create desired shapes.
- Transfer cookie shapes onto prepared baking sheets, maintaining a 2-inch separation between each.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges appear set and cookies exhibit a slight puffiness.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheets before embellishing.
- For icing preparation, remove frosting can’s foil seal and microwave for 30 seconds, stirring periodically.
- Continue heating in 15-second intervals, stirring between each, until the frosting achieves a pourable consistency.
- 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