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
Scale
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.
