There’s something incredibly comforting about a batch of soft, tender Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe fresh from the oven. These cookies balance the perfect buttery sweetness with a slight tang from the cream cheese, creating a texture that’s both fluffy and melt-in-your-mouth. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon treat or an elegant tea party, this recipe delivers a deep, rich flavor that feels like a warm, nostalgic hug in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to make these delightful cookies is easy because the ingredients are staples you likely already have on hand. Each component plays an essential role, whether it’s building flavor, adding moisture, or giving the cookies their iconic soft texture and subtle golden hue.
- 1 cup white sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb for the cookies.
- 1 cup butter, softened: Provides richness and moistness, contributing to the melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened: The secret ingredient that brings a slight tang and incredible softness to every bite.
- 1 large egg yolk: Adds color and richness for a beautiful golden tone and improved texture.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Balances sweetness, enhancing all the flavors in the cookie.
- 1/2 tsp almond extract: Gives a gentle, nutty flavor that complements the vanilla and cream cheese perfectly.
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract: Boosts the cookie’s sweet aroma and depth of flavor.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure, ensuring the cookies hold their shape while staying soft.
How to Make Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by beating together the sugar, softened butter, and cream cheese until the mixture is perfectly smooth and creamy. This creates the foundation of the cookie’s tenderness, so take your time to get a light texture here.
Step 2: Add Flavor and Richness
Mix in the egg yolk, salt, almond extract, and vanilla extract. These boosts add depth and complexity, turning simple dough into something truly special and aromatic.
Step 3: Incorporate the Flour
Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so be gentle as you fold in the flour to keep that soft texture intact.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into three equal parts, shaping each into a disk. Wrap them snugly in plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This step is vital—it lets the flavors develop fully and firms up the dough so rolling and cutting becomes a breeze.
Step 5: Roll and Cut
When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to shape the cookies, then transfer them carefully to ungreased baking sheets.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 7 to 10 minutes until the edges turn just a touch golden. Keep a close eye here—overbaking can steal that soft, delicate texture you’re aiming for. Let cookies cool a few minutes on the baking sheet before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
The beauty of these cookies is their simplicity, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can add an elegant touch. For festive occasions, colorful sprinkles or edible glitter make them enchanting and delightful for kids and adults alike.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a hot cup of tea, rich coffee, or a glass of cold milk to balance the sweetness with something soothing. They also work wonderfully as dessert alongside fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a tower of these cookies tied with a rustic ribbon for a charming gift or party centerpiece. You can personalize them by sandwiching cream cheese frosting between two cookies, turning them into irresistible cookie sandwiches perfect for sharing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days. Avoid refrigeration, which can dry them out.
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead, the dough freezes beautifully. Wrap the disks tightly in plastic and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting.
Reheating
Warm cookies gently in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds to bring back that just-baked softness. This touch makes them taste like they came fresh out of the oven all over again.
FAQs
Can I substitute cream cheese with something else?
Cream cheese is what gives these cookies their signature texture and tangy flavor, so substituting it will change the result quite a bit. However, some bakers use mascarpone or Neufchâtel cheese as a substitute with moderate success.
Why do I need to chill the dough for so long?
Chilling the dough allows the fats to firm up, which helps maintain the cookie shape during baking, and it lets the flavors meld together. It also makes the dough easier to roll out without sticking.
Can I use this dough for other cookie shapes or styles?
Absolutely! This dough is versatile and holds its shape well, making it ideal for cut-out shapes, thumbprints, or even simple drop cookies.
Is almond extract necessary?
While optional, almond extract adds a lovely, subtle nuttiness that enhances the cream cheese flavor. If you’re not a fan, you can omit it or replace it with an equal amount of vanilla extract.
How long do these cookies keep their softness?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies stay soft for about 4 days. Beyond that, their texture may begin to firm up but can be refreshed with gentle warming.
Final Thoughts
This Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe has become a cherished classic in my kitchen because of how effortlessly it creates such tender, flavorful cookies. They’re perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply savoring with no fuss. Once you try it yourself, I’m sure it’ll become one of your favorite recipes, too — a true crowd-pleaser that’s as comforting as it is delicious.
Print
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 6 servings (approximately 24 cookies)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Deliciously soft and tender Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies that combine the richness of cream cheese with classic buttery sweetness. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies have a delicate texture and subtle almond and vanilla flavors that make them irresistible.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Sugar
- 1 cup white sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, softened butter, and softened cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring even incorporation of ingredients for a tender dough.
- Add Flavorings: Mix in the egg yolk, salt, almond extract, and vanilla extract thoroughly to combine all the flavors evenly throughout the dough.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour while mixing gently, until the dough forms a cohesive ball and is no longer sticky.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into three equal parts, shape each into a disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to firm up the dough and enhance flavors.
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct baking temperature while preparing the cookies.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough disk to about 1/4 inch thickness, then use cookie cutters to cut into your desired shapes. Place the cut cookies on ungreased baking sheets, spacing them adequately to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 7 to 10 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden, giving them a delicate crispness while maintaining softness inside.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent cookies from spreading too much during baking and to develop flavor.
- Using softened butter and cream cheese helps achieve a smooth dough and tender cookie texture.
- For a stronger almond flavor, you can increase almond extract to 1 teaspoon, but adjust according to taste.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- The cookies can be decorated with icing or sprinkles after they’ve cooled completely, if desired.
