Oh, I’m so excited to share this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe with you! These cookies are a delightful twist on your classic sugar cookie—rich, tender, and just a little bit tangy thanks to the cream cheese. When I first tried baking with cream cheese, I was amazed at how it gave the cookies such a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture without being overly sweet. It’s perfect for those days when you want a comforting treat that feels homemade but is super simple to whip up.
This Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe works beautifully for a cozy afternoon snack or a festive holiday cookie tray. What I love most is that you don’t need any fancy ingredients beyond what you probably already have in your kitchen. Plus, once you get the hang of rolling that slightly sticky dough, you’ll find yourself making them over and over—my family goes crazy for these every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Tender Texture: The cream cheese makes these cookies soft, moist, and full of that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You’ll only need pantry staples, but the combination delivers a subtle tang and sweet vanilla punch.
- Easy to Make: Even if you’re new to baking, this recipe’s straightforward steps will have you feeling like a pro.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: These cookies are great for lunchboxes, parties, or just a little mid-day pick-me-up.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role to create that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Using room temperature butter and cream cheese helps everything blend smoothly, giving you that famously tender cookie.
- Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter whips up light and gives the best creamy texture.
- Cream Cheese: Also room temperature, it adds moisture and a subtle tang that sets these cookies apart.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with spreading during baking.
- Egg: Binds ingredients together while adding richness.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and enhances all the flavors in the cookies.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure—measuring it carefully is key to avoiding dry or tough cookies.
- Baking Powder: Gives a gentle lift for a soft, tender crumb.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
Variations
I like to tweak this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe depending on the season or my mood. Adding your own spin keeps it exciting and gives you that homemade touch that makes snack time special.
- Lemon Zest Variation: Stir in a teaspoon of lemon zest with the vanilla extract—my family LOVES this fresh, bright twist in spring and summer!
- Chocolate Chip Version: Fold in mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks right before chilling the dough for a bit of melty surprise.
- Allergy-Friendly Swap: Use gluten-free flour to make these cookies safe for gluten sensitivity without sacrificing taste.
- Frosted Cookies: Spread cream cheese frosting over cooled cookies for a decadent treat that’s perfect for celebrations.
How to Make Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients Together
Begin by combining the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk them well to ensure the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This small step helps your cookies bake evenly so you avoid dense or uneven bites.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Then, add the sugar and continue beating until everything is light and fluffy—that’s key to getting that tender crumb.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Now, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Scrape down the sides of your bowl—it’s easy to miss bits if you don’t, and you want each cookie to taste perfect and uniform.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix here—you want the dough to stay soft. Use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the bowl and give everything one final gentle stir so your dough is perfectly homogeneous.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step is a game-changer—it firms up the dough, making it easier to handle (despite being slightly sticky) and helps the cookies bake up perfectly without spreading too much.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Portion out about two tablespoons of dough per cookie and roll into balls. This dough is a bit sticky, so keep your hands damp and take a quick rinse if they get gummed up. Place the dough balls at least two inches apart on a parchment-lined or Silpat-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges just start turning a light golden color—the centers will still be soft but not raw.
Pro Tips for Making Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Measure Flour Carefully: I used to eyeball flour and ended up with dry cookies—now I always weigh it or fluff and spoon it in for lightness.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: The dough is sticky but chilling makes all the difference for shaping and prevents spreading in the oven.
- Use Damp Hands for Rolling: It keeps the dough from sticking, and honestly, it’s surprisingly therapeutic to rinse and keep rolling.
- Watch the Edges: Remove the cookies just as edges turn golden—the center sets as they cool, so you avoid an overbaked crunch.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love to dust the cooled cookies with a little powdered sugar—it adds a sweet, delicate finish and a pretty look with zero effort. Another favorite is drizzling melted white chocolate over them for a fancy touch, especially during the holidays or for gifts. Both options elevate the simple cookie without overpowering that creamy tang.
Side Dishes
These Cream Cheese Cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or coffee—you’ll find the gentle richness complements warm drinks beautifully. For a brunch spread, these cookies go well alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Once, for a birthday party, I stacked these cookies in a pyramid shape and tied them with a pink ribbon—guests loved the look and the flavor. You can also sandwich them with a smear of raspberry jam or cream cheese frosting to turn them into little icebox cookie sandwiches that look and taste extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I find layering them between sheets of parchment paper prevents sticking and keeps them looking fresh. The cookies stay wonderfully soft thanks to the cream cheese, so they almost taste freshly baked even days later.
Freezing
I often freeze unbaked dough balls in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag. When I want cookies, I pop frozen dough straight onto a baking sheet and add a couple extra minutes to the bake time. This way, you always have fresh cookies ready to go without any extra prep.
Reheating
To enjoy leftover cookies like they just came out of the oven, I give them a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave. Alternatively, warming them in a low oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes refreshes the soft crumb and enhances the aroma—just be sure not to overdo it or they’ll dry out.
FAQs
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Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe?
While you can technically use low-fat cream cheese, it might alter the texture slightly. Full-fat cream cheese provides the creamy richness and tenderness that’s signature to these cookies, so for best results, stick to the regular kind.
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How can I prevent my cream cheese cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough for at least an hour before baking is essential. This firms up the butter and cream cheese, reducing spread. Also, ensure you measure flour accurately—too little flour will lead to more spreading.
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Why are my cream cheese cookies dense instead of soft and light?
Dense cookies often result from overmixing the dough or adding too much flour. When making this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe, mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined, and measure your flour carefully using a scale or proper spoon-and-level technique.
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Can I make these cookies dairy-free or vegan?
Substituting the cream cheese and butter with dairy-free or vegan alternatives could work, but I recommend testing small batches. The texture and flavor might differ since these ingredients are key to the cookie’s signature richness.
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How do I know when the cream cheese cookies are done baking?
Look for edges that have set and just started getting a light golden color, while the centers might still look slightly soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool, so resist the urge to overbake to keep them tender.
Final Thoughts
This Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe has become one of my most treasured cookie staples, and I hope it finds a special spot in your kitchen too. It’s easy to make, reliably delicious, and soft in a way that feels like a cozy hug with every bite. Seriously, once you try these, you might just find yourself baking a batch every week just to keep that little moment of joy close at hand. So go ahead, give it a try—I promise you’ll love them as much as I do!
Print
Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 28 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Deliciously soft and creamy cream cheese cookies made with a blend of butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. These cookies have a tender texture, with a subtly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Perfect for any occasion and easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113g), room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese (113g), room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (10mL)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (210g)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl and set aside to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Beat: Add the granulated sugar and beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy for optimal texture.
- Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture and mix until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix once more to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture and mix on low speed just until combined. Scrape the bottom of the bowl and give one final gentle mix.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up for easier handling and better cookie texture.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough Balls: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Portion roughly two-tablespoon-sized pieces of dough and roll them into balls. To handle sticky dough, dampen your hands slightly and wash them when coated.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the dough balls about two inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and just beginning to turn golden brown.
Notes
- Measure your flour carefully; using a scale is best to avoid adding too much flour which can toughen the cookies. If measuring by cup, fluff flour with a spoon, spoon it into the cup, and level off with a knife.
- Scrape down the mixing bowl before adding the dry ingredients to ensure an even, homogeneous dough without overmixing.
- The dough will be sticky. Dampening hands before rolling helps manage the stickiness and washing hands as needed prevents buildup.
- For an elegant finish, dust the baked cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle lightly with melted white chocolate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 74
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 57mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 19mg
