There’s something truly special about the warm, inviting aroma of cookies baking in your kitchen. Today, you will learn how to make cream cheese sugar cookies, a delightful treat that is soft, chewy, and just sweet enough. This easy recipe is perfect for beginners, so don’t worry, you can definitely do this! Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these cookies are sure to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Treat
Cream cheese sugar cookies are a favorite for many reasons. First, they are straightforward to make, requiring only a handful of ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen. The addition of cream cheese makes these cookies soft and moist, giving them a melt-in-your-mouth quality. Plus, there’s no fancy equipment needed! You only need some bowls, a mixer (or a strong arm for hand mixing), and a baking sheet. With this recipe, you can be confident that your cookies will turn out perfectly delicious every time.
How to Make Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Making cream cheese sugar cookies is straightforward. You will start by mixing your wet ingredients together until creamy. Then combine them with the dry ingredients to form a dough. After creating the dough, you will roll it out and cut it into fun shapes. A quick bake in the oven, and you’ll have delicious cookies ready to enjoy!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
For Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter, softened
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 and ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- Sprinkles for decorating (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175 °C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Combine butter and cream cheese in a bowl, then mix until smooth and well combined.
- Add sugar and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Stir in egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Working with half of the dough, form it into a ball and roll it to just under a half-inch thick.
- Cut into shapes and transfer to baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet.
- For the frosting, mix butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until well combined.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and stir in cornstarch.
- Spread or pipe frosting over cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles if desired.
Best Way to Serve Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
These cream cheese sugar cookies are delightful on their own, but can also be even more special with frosting. Serve them fresh out of the oven or allow them to cool completely. They are perfect for afternoon treats, dessert at family dinners, or for packing in lunchboxes! Try serving them with a glass of cold milk or your favorite herbal tea for a sweet pairing.
How to Keep Cookies Fresh
To keep your cream cheese sugar cookies fresh, store them in a simple airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just place the cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature or heat them in the microwave for a few seconds to get that fresh-baked goodness back.
Simple Tips for Making Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
- Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Do not overmix after adding the flour; mix until everything comes together.
- Oversee the baking time! Cookies are perfectly done when the edges are just starting to turn golden. They may feel soft in the center, but they will firm up as they cool.
- If the dough feels too sticky, you can chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before rolling it out.
Variations
- Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a refreshing citrus flavor.
- Mix in 1 cup of chocolate chips for a classic twist on these cookies.
- Use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour to make a gluten-free version.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough a day in advance and refrigerate it, or bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container for several days.
Can I freeze this recipe?
Absolutely! Once baked, place the cookies in a sealed container and freeze them for up to 3 months.
What can I use instead of cream cheese?
You can use mascarpone cheese for a similar texture, or a dairy-free cream cheese if you need a dairy-free alternative.
Conclusion
Baking cream cheese sugar cookies is not just simple, it’s also a delightful way to brighten your day. You can easily impress friends and family with these tasty treats, packed with flavor and soft in texture. Remember, making cookies is all about enjoying the process, so take your time and have fun! This cream cheese sugar cookie recipe will definitely become a favorite in your home.
I’d love to hear how your cream cheese sugar cookies turned out! Please leave a comment below sharing your experience. Don’t forget to share this recipe with a friend who is also learning to bake and explore more delightful dessert recipes together! Happy baking!
Print
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously soft and chewy cream cheese sugar cookies, perfect for beginners and special occasions.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- For Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter, softened
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 and ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- Sprinkles for decorating (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Combine butter and cream cheese in a bowl and mix until creamy and well-combined.
- Add sugar and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Stir in egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until completely combined.
- Transfer dough to a floured surface. Working with half of the dough, form it into a ball and roll it to just under half-inch thick.
- Cut into shapes and transfer to baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool completely on baking sheet.
- For frosting, mix butter, cream cheese, and vanilla together until well-combined.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and stir in cornstarch.
- Spread or pipe frosting over cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles if desired.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
