Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Who doesn’t love a classic sugar cookie, especially when it’s soft, tender, and just the right amount of sweet? Well, these Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are about to take your sugar cookie game to a whole new level. With the addition of cream cheese, these cookies are ultra-soft, chewy, and have a delightful, slightly tangy flavor that makes them irresistibly good. They melt in your mouth and are perfect for decorating with colorful icing or just enjoying as they are with a cup of milk. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a bake sale, or just because, these cookies are sure to win everyone over. Trust me, you’re going to want to save this recipe!

Why You’ll Love Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Soft and Chewy Perfection

These cookies are perfectly soft with just the right amount of chewiness. The cream cheese adds a rich, smooth texture that makes them irresistible and light as air.

Versatile and Fun to Decorate

These cookies are the perfect base for all kinds of decorating fun. Frost them with your favorite icing, add sprinkles, or leave them plain—either way, they’re a treat. Great for kids and adults alike to get creative in the kitchen.

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients, but the result is anything but basic. The cream cheese elevates the flavor, making them extra delicious and just a little bit different from your usual sugar cookies.

Easy to Make

Don’t worry if you’re a beginner baker—this recipe is super easy! The dough comes together in a snap, and the cookies bake up beautifully every time. No complicated steps here!

Perfect for Any Occasion

From holidays to birthdays to casual afternoons, these cookies are a crowd-pleaser for any event. Whether you’re hosting a party or treating yourself, they’re always a hit.

Ingredients in Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Here’s what you’ll need to make these melt-in-your-mouth cookies:

For the Cookies:

• Unsalted Butter: This will give the cookies that rich, tender texture we all love.
• Cream Cheese: The star ingredient! Cream cheese adds softness and a mild tang that really sets these cookies apart.
• Granulated Sugar: This is where the sweetness comes from, giving the cookies that classic sugar cookie flavor.
• Egg: Just one egg helps bind everything together while keeping the dough soft.
• Vanilla Extract: A little splash of vanilla enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: The main dry ingredient that gives the cookies their structure.
• Baking Powder: This is what helps the cookies puff up and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: A pinch of salt brings out the sweetness and balances the flavor.

(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Let’s get baking! Follow these steps to make your new favorite sugar cookies:

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cookie removal.

2. Cream Together Butter and Cream Cheese

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step, or a good ol’ fashioned whisk and some elbow grease.

3. Add the Sugar, Egg, and Vanilla

Next, mix in the granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and fully combined. You should have a creamy, light mixture.

4. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until combined. Be careful not to overmix; you just want everything to come together into a smooth dough.

5. Roll and Shape the Dough

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can flatten them slightly with the bottom of a glass or your fingers for a more traditional sugar cookie look. If you want to get creative, you can also roll the dough balls in extra sugar before baking for a sugary crust!

6. Bake

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until they’re just beginning to turn golden at the edges. Keep an eye on them, as baking times may vary depending on your oven.

7. Cool and Decorate (Optional)

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, feel free to decorate them with frosting, sprinkles, or any other fun toppings you like!

8. Serve and Enjoy

Now it’s time to enjoy these delicious cookies! They’re perfect with a cup of tea, coffee, or a cold glass of milk.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 24
Calories per serving: 120
Total Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 60mg
Total Carbohydrates: 14g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 9g
Protein: 1g

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

How to Serve Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

As a Dessert

These cookies are perfect on their own as a sweet treat after dinner or for an afternoon snack. Serve them alongside some coffee or tea for a cozy experience.

For Holiday Parties

Decorate these cookies with festive icing and sprinkles to match any holiday or celebration. They make a great addition to any cookie platter or dessert table!

Gift Them!

Pack them in a cute tin or jar and give them as a thoughtful homemade gift. Your friends and family will love the creamy, soft texture and delightful sweetness.

As a Cookie Decorating Activity

If you have kids or guests over, these cookies are perfect for decorating. Set up a decorating station with various icings, sprinkles, and candies, and let everyone get creative!

Additional Tips

Soft Dough Tip

If the dough is too soft to roll into balls, chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to make it easier to work with.

Use a Cookie Scoop

For even-sized cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough. This will help all your cookies bake evenly.

Make the Dough Ahead of Time

You can make the dough ahead of time and chill it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, just roll out the dough and bake as usual.

Experiment with Flavors

Add a bit of lemon zest or almond extract for a fun twist on the classic flavor. You can even mix in chocolate chips or sprinkles for added texture.

Decorate with Royal Icing

For a professional touch, use royal icing to decorate the cookies. It dries hard and gives you a smooth, glossy finish.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use margarine instead of butter?

A1: While margarine can be used, butter is preferred for the best flavor and texture. If you’re out of butter, try using unsalted margarine as a substitute.

Q2: How should I store these cookies?

A2: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They’ll stay soft and fresh for several days!

Q3: Can I freeze these cookies?

A3: Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months! Roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake them straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Q4: Can I add food coloring to the dough?

A4: Absolutely! If you want to add a festive touch, you can add a few drops of food coloring to the dough before rolling into balls.

Q5: Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

A5: Yes! You can substitute the butter and cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives. Look for vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese to make them completely dairy-free.

Q6: Can I use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar?

A6: While granulated sugar gives these cookies their classic texture, powdered sugar can make them even softer and melt-in-your-mouth. You can substitute, but the texture may be a little different.

Q7: Can I double the recipe?

A7: Yes! This recipe can easily be doubled to make more cookies. Just make sure to adjust your baking time slightly if you’re baking larger batches.

Q8: How can I make these cookies gluten-free?

A8: You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to use one that is suitable for baking to get the best results.

Q9: Can I skip the frosting or sprinkles?

A9: Absolutely! These cookies are delicious on their own, and you can skip the frosting or sprinkles if you prefer them plain.

Q10: Why did my cookies spread too much?

A10: This can happen if the dough is too warm when you bake the cookies. Try chilling the dough before baking, and ensure that your oven is preheated properly.

Conclusion

These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are everything you want in a cookie—soft, chewy, and just sweet enough, with the perfect balance of richness from the cream cheese. Whether you’re looking for a fun baking project, something to gift, or a new go-to cookie recipe, these little treats are sure to hit the spot. Ready, set, bake—these cookies are calling your name!

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