If you’re craving a classic treat with a little something extra, Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are about to become your new favorite baking project. These cookies have a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth texture, thanks to just the right amount of silky cream cheese blended right into the dough. They bake up tender and rich, with a perfectly sweet flavor that makes them irresistible straight from the oven or all dressed up with your favorite sprinkles and icing. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a party, or simply to bring a little joy to your kitchen on a quiet afternoon, this recipe for Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies captures everything we all adore about traditional sugar cookies—with a luscious twist that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of simple, everyday ingredients work their magic in this recipe, each one adding lovely flavor and the perfect cookie texture. Don’t be tempted to skip or swap—the balance is what gives Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies their signature softness, subtle flavor, and gorgeous pale color!
- Unsalted Butter: Use softened butter for creaming; it creates a rich, tender crumb and lets you control the salt level.
- Cream Cheese: The star of the show! Softened cream cheese brings tang, moisture, and a delicate chewiness.
- Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the cookies just right while supporting the structure for sharp, clean cut-out shapes.
- Large Egg: Adds richness and binds everything together for cookies that don’t crumble.
- Vanilla Extract: A must for classic sugar cookie flavor—pure vanilla makes everything taste like childhood.
- Almond Extract (optional): A little goes a long way, lending a bakery-style aroma that elevates the whole batch.
- All-Purpose Flour: The main structure—measured carefully to ensure tender cookies that hold their shape.
- Baking Powder: Gives a subtle lift for a light, soft cookie rather than a dense one.
- Salt: Just a touch balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
How to Make Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until the mixture looks light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is the secret to achieving that perfect tender crumb, so don’t rush—give it a solid three minutes with your mixer on medium speed. You want to see the sugar dissolve a bit, and the mixture should turn almost creamy white.
Step 2: Add Egg and Extracts
Once your creamed mixture is beautiful and fluffy, mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and, if you’re using it, a splash of almond extract. Beat everything together until the wet ingredients are smooth and incorporated. You’re aiming for a cohesive, silky batter at this stage—the foundation for flavorful Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps evenly distribute the leavening and salt for even baking, and it ensures you don’t end up with pockets of flavor or lumps. Take a moment to break up any clumps and combine everything well.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing at low speed just until there are no visible streaks of flour. This is where the dough comes together—don’t overmix or you’ll risk tough cookies. The dough should be soft, a little tacky, but easy to handle once chilled.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Scrape the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap, divide it in half, flatten each half into a disc, and wrap tightly. Chill those discs in the fridge for at least one hour. Baking with cold dough is crucial; it helps your Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies hold their shape and develop a perfect, tender texture during baking.
Step 6: Roll, Cut, and Bake
Once well chilled, roll your dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Grab your favorite cookie cutters and stamp out shapes, placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes until the bottoms and edges are just beginning to turn golden. Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack after a few minutes to cool completely.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are beautiful blank canvases for all kinds of fun toppings. Try dusting freshly baked cookies with sanding sugar or sparkling colored sugars before baking for a simple, classic look. If you’re all about decorating, let the cookies cool completely and then get creative with royal icing, festive sprinkles, or a drizzle of melted chocolate—great for holidays or any special occasion.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a tall glass of cold milk, a cozy mug of hot cocoa, or even a delicate pot of tea. They’re also a delightful addition to a dessert platter next to chocolate truffles, fresh berries, or buttery shortbread, creating a gorgeous contrast of flavors and textures for your next gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack a dozen Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon for a charming edible gift, or layer them in a decorative tin for holiday cookie swaps. For celebrations, arrange cookies of different shapes and sizes on a tiered cake stand with edible flowers, or use them as edible place cards by piping guest names in colorful icing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your cooled Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer them with wax or parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their perfectly soft bite. If your kitchen is very warm or humid, the fridge is also an option—just let the cookies come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
If you want to get ahead, these cookies freeze beautifully. You can freeze unbaked, shaped cookie dough on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months, or freeze the baked cookies themselves (without icing) in layers between parchment. Thaw at room temperature and decorate as desired for freshly baked flavor any time.
Reheating
If your cookies lose a little softness in storage, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave or a few minutes at 300°F in the oven will perk them up. Just watch closely so they don’t overbake. Enjoy that almost fresh-baked warmth and aroma!
FAQs
How can I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough is crucial! Well-chilled dough helps your Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies maintain their beautiful cut-out shapes instead of spreading into blobs. Don’t skip that hour in the fridge, and work in batches if needed to keep leftover dough cold between bakes.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to three days in advance and store it wrapped in the fridge. You can also freeze the dough discs for up to two months—just thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling, cutting, and baking.
How do I get the best, soft texture every time?
Be careful not to overmix once you add the flour, and keep a close eye on the baking time. Pull the cookies out when the edges are just beginning to turn golden for a soft, tender bite that makes these Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies so special.
Is it okay to skip the almond extract?
Yes! The almond extract is totally optional. It adds a light bakery-style aroma, but your cookies will still taste fantastic without it. You can experiment with other extracts, like lemon or even orange, for a unique twist.
Do these cookies work well for decorating with royal icing?
Definitely! One of the best things about Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies is that they hold their shape beautifully and offer a smooth, sturdy surface that’s ideal for all your detailed icing work, no matter how elaborate your holiday designs may be.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll give Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies a try the next time a sweet craving (or a special occasion) comes calling. Their soft, rich texture and subtle cream cheese flavor have a way of turning simple, everyday moments into something worth celebrating—especially when shared with friends and family. Happy baking!
Print
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat with a subtle tang from cream cheese and a tender texture that makes them perfect for decorating. They are versatile for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday gathering or a simple family snack.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and beat until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat and Shape: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters and place on baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- Cool: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- These cookies hold their shape well and are perfect for decorating with icing or sprinkles.
- For a softer cookie, bake closer to 8 minutes; for a slightly crisper edge, go up to 10 minutes.
- Dough can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
