Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe: Easy Soft Delights
There’s nothing quite like biting into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie—especially when cream cheese is the secret ingredient! This cream cheese sugar cookies recipe is foolproof, beginner-friendly, and yields irresistibly tender cookies with just the right sweetness. Whether you’re baking for holidays, parties, or a cozy treat, these cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Plus, cream cheese adds richness and keeps them soft for days. Let’s dive in!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: No fancy techniques—just mix, roll, and bake!
- Soft texture: Cream cheese prevents dryness for a tender bite.
- Versatile: Decorate with icing, sprinkles, or enjoy plain.
- Perfect for any occasion: Holidays, birthdays, or a simple sweet craving.
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Makes ~24 cookies | Prep: 20 mins | Chill: 1 hour | Bake: 10 mins | Total: 1.5 hours
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (or margarine for dairy-free)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (full-fat for best texture)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (or ¾ cup for less sweetness)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract for variation)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 mins).
- Add wet ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla until fully combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix dough: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mix, stirring until a soft dough forms (don’t overmix).
- Chill dough: Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour (or freeze for 30 mins). This prevents spreading.
- Preheat & prep: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll & cut: On a floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
- Bake: Place cookies 1 inch apart on sheets. Bake 8-10 mins until edges are lightly golden (centers stay soft).
- Cool: Let cookies rest on the sheet for 5 mins, then transfer to a wire rack.
Tips for Perfect Cookies
- Room-temperature ingredients: Ensures smooth mixing.
- Don’t overbake: Cookies firm up as they cool.
- Flour your cutter: Prevents sticking when shaping.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze unbaked dough for 3 months.
Nutrition Facts (Per Cookie)
| Calories | Carbs | Fat | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 | 18g | 8g | 2g |
Ingredient Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese | Greek yogurt (less rich) |
| All-purpose flour | Gluten-free 1:1 blend |
| Granulated sugar | Coconut sugar (darker flavor) |
FAQs
Can I skip chilling the dough?
No—chilling prevents spreading and ensures thick, soft cookies. If in a rush, freeze for 30 mins.
Why are my cookies tough?
Overmixing or too much flour can cause toughness. Measure flour correctly (spoon into cup, then level).
Can I make these ahead?
Yes! Refrigerate dough for up to 3 days or freeze rolled dough between parchment for 1 month.
Now you’re ready to bake the softest, most delicious cream cheese sugar cookies! Share your creations or tag us—we’d love to see them. Happy baking!
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