I absolutely love this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe because it brings together the best of both worlds: the richness of cream cheese with the soft, tender crumb of a classic cookie. When I first tried making these, I was amazed at how easily they came together and how much depth of flavor the cream cheese added without being overwhelming. You’ll find that these cookies have a delightfully delicate texture that melts in your mouth, making them perfect for just about any occasion.
Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon tea, a holiday cookie exchange, or just craving something sweet and a little different, this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe works wonderfully. The cream cheese keeps them moist and gives a slight tang that balances the sweetness, so they’re never too rich or cloying. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a staple in your cookie rotation!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft & Tender Texture: The cream cheese adds moisture, making these cookies incredibly soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your pantry, which makes this recipe super convenient.
- Versatile Flavor: The subtle tang from cream cheese perfectly balances the sweetness, pleasing all taste buds.
- Beginner-Friendly: Easy-to-follow steps ensure success, even if you’re new to baking cookies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All these ingredients come together so nicely to create that signature tender crumb and just-right sweetness. I always recommend using room temperature butter and cream cheese for an easier mix and a smoother dough.
- Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter creams best, helping achieve that light, fluffy texture.
- Cream cheese: Choose full-fat cream cheese for richness and better flavor balance.
- Granulated sugar: Adds perfect sweetness without overpowering the delicate tang of cream cheese.
- Egg: Use at room temperature so the dough blends seamlessly.
- Vanilla extract: Choose pure vanilla extract—the aroma makes a big difference.
- All-purpose flour: This is the base that gives structure; weigh it if possible to avoid too-dry dough.
- Baking powder: Gives a subtle lift for soft cookies.
- Salt: Balances and enhances all the flavors in the cookie.
Variations
I enjoy tweaking this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe depending on the season or my mood. It’s a pretty forgiving recipe, so feel free to get creative and make it your own—your family or friends will love seeing these little twists!
- Lemon Zest Variation: Adding a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest to the dough brightens the flavor and adds a refreshing citrus note—my go-to for spring baking.
- Chocolate Chip Version: Toss in some mini chocolate chips or even white chocolate chunks for extra indulgence; the cream cheese pairs beautifully with chocolate.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, just watch the moisture levels—it might need a touch more flour.
- Rosemary & Sea Salt: For something unexpected, try adding finely chopped rosemary and sprinkling a bit of sea salt on top before baking—it’s surprisingly addictive!
How to Make Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This keeps everything evenly distributed, so you don’t get pockets of baking powder or salt in your cookies. I like to set this aside while I work on the wet ingredients.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the room temperature butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. This step is key to the cookie’s tender texture and rich flavor. You’ll want to beat it for a good 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Sugar, Egg & Vanilla
Next, add the sugar and beat again until it’s fully incorporated and the mixture is lighter in color. Then, mix in the egg and vanilla extract. Scrape down the bowl with a spatula to make sure everything is well combined—nothing’s worse than uneven dough!
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Over-mixing here can toughen the dough, so keep it gentle! Scrape the bowl once more and give it one last easy fold with a spatula.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
This is a step I personally never skip. Cover the dough and chill it for at least one hour. It helps the dough firm up, which makes the sticky dough much easier to handle and also improves the cookie’s texture by resting the flour.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Using damp hands (this little trick is a game-changer!), scoop out roughly two tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Place them spaced about two inches apart on a parchment-lined or Silpat-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden. The centers might look a little soft — that’s perfect! They firm up as they cool.
Pro Tips for Making Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Flour Measurement: Using a kitchen scale is the best way to avoid dry dough—too much flour is the secret culprit behind tough cookies.
- Handle Sticky Dough with Damp Hands: This simple trick prevents the dough from sticking to your fingers and saves you time washing up.
- Don’t Overbake: The cookies look soft when you pull them out, but they set up as they cool—that’s how you keep them tender.
- Scrape the Bowl Well: Take the time to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl between each mixing step for a perfectly uniform dough.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I often dust my cream cheese cookies with a sprinkle of powdered sugar right before serving—it adds a lovely elegance and subtle sweetness. On special occasions, I’ve drizzled melted white chocolate over the top for a beautiful, festive look and an extra touch of decadence.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea or coffee, making them a perfect afternoon treat. I also enjoy serving them alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream when I want to turn them into a simple dessert plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For cookie swaps or parties, I like arranging these cookies in a pretty tin with parchment paper, separating layers with tissue paper to keep them intact. Another fun idea is to sandwich two cream cheese cookies together with a thin layer of homemade raspberry jam or chocolate ganache for a delectable surprise inside.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store my leftover cream cheese cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they usually stay soft and delicious for up to 3 days. To keep them extra fresh, I place a slice of bread inside the container—the cookies absorb moisture from the bread, which keeps them tender.
Freezing
If I want to save some dough for later, I shape the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready, you can bake them straight from frozen—just add a couple of minutes to the baking time, and you’ll have fresh cookies anytime.
Reheating
To revive slightly stale cream cheese cookies, I pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This warms them through and refreshes that tender texture without drying them out. Just be sure not to leave them too long or they’ll get crisp instead of soft.
FAQs
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Can I use low-fat cream cheese in this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe?
While you can, it’s best to stick with full-fat cream cheese for the richest flavor and softest texture. Low-fat versions may result in a slightly drier, less tender cookie.
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How long should these cookies be chilled before baking?
I recommend chilling the dough for at least one hour. This resting time helps firm up the dough so it’s easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
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Why are my cream cheese cookies turning out flat?
This usually happens if the dough wasn’t chilled long enough or if too much butter was added. Also, make sure you’re measuring your flour correctly because too little flour can cause spreading.
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Can I add mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit work really well and add texture and flavor. Just fold them in after combining wet and dry ingredients to keep the dough intact.
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How should I store leftover cookies for best freshness?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread to maintain moisture. You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months and thaw before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe is truly one of my favorites to keep on hand. It combines simplicity with a special twist that makes every bite memorable and satisfying. If you’ve been searching for a cookie that’s both easy and a little more special than your everyday sugar cookie, you really should give this a try. I’m confident that once you bake a batch, these will become your go-to treat for sharing or sneaking just one (or two!) whenever the craving hits.
PrintCream 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 perfect blend of butter and cream cheese for a tender texture and rich flavor. These easy-to-make cookies are light, slightly tangy, and perfect for any occasion.
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 room temperature butter and cream cheese together until smooth and combined.
- Add sugar and mix: Incorporate the granulated sugar and beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add egg and vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Scrape down the bowl to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed, then beat once more.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Scrape the bowl once more and give a final gentle mix to create a homogeneous dough.
- Chill dough: Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate for at least one hour. This helps firm up the dough for easier handling and improves texture.
- Preheat oven and shape cookies: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Portion out roughly two tablespoon-sized pieces of dough and roll each into a ball. Because the dough is sticky, dampen your hands slightly to prevent sticking, washing your hands as needed during the process.
- Bake cookies: Place the dough balls about two inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat mat. Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are set and just starting to turn golden brown.
Notes
- Measure your flour correctly by using a kitchen scale for accuracy or fluff the flour with a spoon before spooning and leveling it off with a knife if using measuring cups.
- Scrape the mixing bowl down before adding the dry ingredients to ensure an evenly mixed dough without overbeating.
- The dough will be sticky; dampen your hands when forming the cookie balls and take breaks to wash hands to manage stickiness.
- After baking, cookies can be dusted with powdered sugar or lightly drizzled with melted white chocolate for extra visual appeal and flavor enhancement.
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