I absolutely love this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe because it combines the rich, tangy cream cheese with buttery, soft cookie dough that’s just the right balance of tender and slightly crisped on the edges. When I first tried these cookies, I was amazed at how simple ingredients came together to create something that feels a bit fancy but is actually a breeze to make.
Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon treat or prepping for a festive gathering, this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe always works perfectly. You’ll find that chilling the dough really helps develop the flavors and makes rolling them manageable even though the dough is a little sticky – trust me, the wait is worth it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra-Soft Texture: Cream cheese in the dough gives the cookies a unique, tender crumb you’ll keep coming back for.
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy pantry items — just basics you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Quick Preparation: Easy mixing and a short bake time make this a great go-to last-minute dessert.
- Perfect for Customization: You can add your favorite flavors or toppings to make these cookies truly yours.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work beautifully together to create a cookie that’s simultaneously rich from the cream cheese and light from the butter and vanilla. A quick note—make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature; it makes mixing so much smoother.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted allows you to control the salt level perfectly for that balanced flavor.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds moisture and a subtle tang that sets these cookies apart.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with texture for a lightly crisp edge.
- Egg: Adds richness and helps bind the dough without drying it out.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, just be careful not to pack it when measuring!
- Baking powder: Gives a gentle rise to make the cookies light and fluffy.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
Variations
I love to switch up this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe depending on the occasion. Sometimes I fold in fresh lemon zest or swap out vanilla for almond extract, giving the cookies a new twist that my family goes crazy for. Feel free to experiment—it’s one of those recipes that really encourages you to make it your own!
- Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies: Adding fresh lemon zest and a touch of lemon juice creates a bright, refreshing flavor that’s perfect for spring or summer gatherings.
- Chocolate Chip Addition: Stir in mini chocolate chips for a classic cookie combo that everyone will request again.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour—you may need to adjust chilling time slightly.
- Decorative Toppings: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate for a pretty finish.
How to Make Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. This little step ensures your leavening is evenly dispersed and prevents clumps in your cookie dough. I always set this aside while I tackle the wet ingredients to keep everything organized.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar
Using a stand mixer (or a hand mixer works perfectly), beat the softened butter and cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Once combined, add in the sugar and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes around 3 to 4 minutes. The fluffier the mixture, the lighter your cookies will be.
Step 3: Incorporate Egg and Vanilla
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything has been fully incorporated. This ensures even flavor and consistency in every cookie.
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients and Chill
Gradually mix in the flour mixture on low speed just until combined—overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Scrape the bowl one last time and then cover your dough and pop it in the fridge to chill for at least one hour. This step is key to managing the sticky dough and helps the flavors meld together.
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Scoop roughly two tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls. The dough will be sticky, so I find dampening my hands a great trick to shape the cookies without too much mess. Place the cookie balls about two inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and just beginning to turn golden. The centers might look slightly soft but will firm up as they cool—resist the urge to overbake!
Pro Tips for Making Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Measure Flour Correctly: I learned the hard way that packing flour leads to dry cookies, so I now fluff with a spoon and level off or use a kitchen scale for accuracy.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough firms it up and makes handling sticky dough way easier—plus, it helps the flavors deepen.
- Use Damp Hands for Rolling: This is my favorite trick for sticky dough—damp hands stop batter build-up and keep rolling smooth.
- Avoid Overbaking: Since the cookies will continue to cook on the baking sheet, take them out right when edges turn golden for the perfect soft center.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I often dust these cookies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate for an elegant touch, especially when serving to guests. Sometimes, a few colorful sprinkles or crushed nuts add a nice textural contrast and pop of color that makes the cookies feel festive.
Side Dishes
These cookies are lovely alongside a warm cup of coffee or a soothing tea, making them my go-to afternoon snack. For a dessert platter, I pair them with fresh berries or a small bowl of whipped cream to balance their richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like arranging these cookies on a tiered dessert stand with edible flowers or fresh herbs like mint for an elegant vibe. Wrapping a few in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon makes for a sweet homemade gift that always delights.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover Cream Cheese Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, which keeps them nicely soft. If your kitchen is warm, storing them in the fridge helps maintain their texture longer, just bring to room temperature before serving.
Freezing
These cookies freeze wonderfully. Just freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. When you want some, thaw them at room temperature or warm them slightly in a low oven—it’s like fresh-baked all over again.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the cookie in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or warm in a preheated 300°F oven for a few minutes to refresh their softness. This little touch revives that just-baked magic.
FAQs
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Can I use low-fat cream cheese for the Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe?
While you can use low-fat cream cheese, it may affect the texture and richness of the cookies, making them less tender and flavorful. For best results, stick to full-fat cream cheese, which provides the perfect creaminess.
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Why is chilling the dough important in this recipe?
Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to handle since it’s naturally sticky. It also helps to develop the flavors and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
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Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend that’s designed as a 1:1 swap. You might notice slight texture differences, but they still taste fantastic.
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What if my dough is too sticky to roll?
This dough is naturally sticky due to the cream cheese. Dampening your hands really helps, and if it gets too messy, just wash your hands and dampen again. Refrigerating the dough longer also tightens it up for easier handling.
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How do I know when the Cream Cheese Cookies are done baking?
Look for edges that are set and just starting to turn golden. The centers might still look a bit soft—that’s perfect, as they’ll firm up while cooling, giving you that tender texture.
Final Thoughts
This Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s such a simple way to elevate a basic cookie into something rich and memorable. I love how forgiving the dough is, and how easily you can tweak it to suit your taste or occasion. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite cookie! Promise, once you bake these, your family and friends will keep asking for more.
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 perfect blend of cream cheese and butter, offering a rich flavor and tender texture. These cookies are easy to prepare, chilled for enhanced flavor, and baked to a delicate golden edge, making them an irresistible treat 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 all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl until well combined. Set aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Cheese: Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, beat the unsalted butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. This should be done at medium speed to avoid lumps.
- Add Sugar and Mix: Gradually add the granulated sugar to the creamed mixture and beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help give the cookies their tender texture.
- Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture and blend on medium speed until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the flour mixture on low speed, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough. Use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the bowl and fold in any remaining dry ingredients for a homogeneous dough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour. Chilling strengthens the dough and prevents spreading during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough Balls: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Portion the chilled dough into roughly two-tablespoon sized balls. Because the dough is sticky, dampen your hands slightly before rolling to prevent sticking.
- Place on Baking Sheet and Bake: Arrange 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 turning golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate for added decoration.
Notes
- Measure your flour correctly by weighing it or fluffing, spooning, and leveling if using measuring cups to avoid adding too much flour, which can make cookies dense.
- Scrape down the mixing bowl before adding dry ingredients to ensure even distribution without overmixing.
- Dampen your hands before rolling the sticky dough to make handling easier and clean hands as needed.
- For a decorative touch, dust cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle lightly with melted white chocolate after baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 74 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 57 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 19 mg
