I absolutely love this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe because it brings together the best of both worlds: tender, buttery cookies with a subtle tang from the cream cheese. They’re perfect for a cozy afternoon treat or when you need a little homemade indulgence to brighten your day. Every time I bake these, I’m amazed by how soft and melt-in-your-mouth they turn out, a little treat that feels really special.
You’ll find that this recipe works wonderfully when you want something quick yet impressive to share with friends or family. The balance of cream cheese with buttery sweetness makes them stand out from your typical cookie lineup. Plus, they’re easy enough that even if you don’t bake often, you’ll feel confident — and they’ll disappear fast, trust me!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Texture: Cream cheese makes the cookies incredibly soft and tender, unlike your usual crisp cookies.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your pantry, making it an easy-to-make treat anytime.
- Versatile Flavor: Subtle vanilla and cream cheese blend for a mildly sweet cookie that pairs well with coffee or tea.
- Great for Beginners: The recipe is straightforward and forgiving, so you can’t go wrong even if you’re new to baking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All these ingredients come together beautifully to create the softest, dreamiest cookies. I always recommend using room temperature butter and cream cheese—that makes a huge difference in how smoothly they cream together.
- Unsalted butter: Room temperature is key here so it blends seamlessly with the cream cheese for that fluffy base.
- Cream cheese: Also at room temperature to avoid lumps and give that signature tang.
- Granulated sugar: Adds the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the other flavors.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together and adds moisture for tender cookies.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with a warm, aromatic touch.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation—just be sure to measure carefully for the best results.
- Baking powder: Adds a subtle lift so the cookies aren’t dense or heavy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and boosts all those flavors.
Variations
I love playing around with this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe to suit different tastes or occasions. It’s such a flexible base that you can tweak easily, adding little surprises or making it a bit healthier if you want.
- Adding lemon zest: I once added fresh lemon zest to bring a zesty brightness, which pairs wonderfully with the cream cheese tang.
- Chocolate chips: Tossing in some mini chocolate chips adds a melty, sweet twist my kids adore.
- Gluten-free: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend for a chewy, equally delicious cookie that’s safe for friends with sensitivities.
- Spiced version: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg gives a cozy, fall-inspired vibe perfect for holiday baking.
How to Make Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This step ensures your leavening and salt are evenly distributed, so the cookies bake uniformly. Setting this aside helps you stay organized for the next step.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
Using a mixer—either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer—cream your room temperature butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. The key here is patience: the fluffier, the better, as this traps air that leads to softer cookies.
Step 3: Add Sugar, Egg, and Vanilla
Next, add in the sugar and beat until the mixture is light and airy—this can take a couple more minutes. Then add your egg and vanilla extract, mixing just until everything is combined. Don’t overmix now because once the flour goes in, too much stirring can make the cookies tough.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients & Chill
Slowly mix the dry ingredients into your wet mixture on low speed just until you no longer see flour. Use a spatula to scrape around the bowl and give it one final gentle mix for a fully even dough. Now, cover and chill the dough for at least an hour—a step I recommend because it makes the dough easier to handle and improves the texture.
Step 5: Shape and Bake Your Cookies
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Using roughly two tablespoons of dough, roll it into balls. The dough will be sticky, so keep dampening your hands with water to make handling easier, and don’t hesitate to wash your hands when needed. Place them about two inches apart on parchment-lined or Silpat-covered baking sheets. Bake for around 10 minutes or until the edges are just turning golden, and the centers look set but still soft.
Pro Tips for Making Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Measure Flour Accurately: I discovered that weighing flour gives the best results—too much flour makes cookies dense instead of soft.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Letting butter and cream cheese warm up makes creaming easier, giving you fluffier dough.
- Chill the Dough: This prevents spreading and keeps the cookies thick and tender, plus it makes handling sticky dough much simpler.
- Don’t Overbake: Pulling them out when edges are lightly golden keeps the centers soft—cookies continue to firm up as they cool.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to dust these cookies with a little powdered sugar right after they cool—it adds a subtle sweetness and makes them look pretty. Sometimes I drizzle melted white chocolate over the top for a fun twist and extra indulgence, especially when sharing with guests.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or a soothing herbal tea. If you’re serving an afternoon snack, add fresh fruit or a light fruit compote alongside to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like arranging these cookies on a tiered dessert tray alongside vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream. For holiday occasions, topping them with a little edible gold dust or festive sprinkles adds a cheerful touch that everyone notices.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover Cream Cheese Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay soft because of the cream cheese, and I usually separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully—either freeze the dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a bag for later baking, or freeze baked cookies in airtight containers. When you freeze raw dough, just remember to add a couple of extra minutes to baking time.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the cookies in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes to freshen them up. This revives that soft, just-baked texture without drying them out.
FAQs
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Can I substitute cream cheese with something else?
While cream cheese is key for the unique texture and tang, you could experiment with mascarpone or Neufchâtel cheese, but expect slight differences in taste and softness. Regular cream cheese gives the best balance for this cookie.
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Why are my cream cheese cookies spreading too much?
Most often, it’s because the dough wasn’t chilled or the butter was too soft/melted before baking. Chilling the dough firms it up so the cookies hold their shape rather than spreading too thin.
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Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Since cream cheese and butter are dairy, it’s tricky to replicate exactly without altering the recipe. However, you could try plant-based cream cheese and vegan butter, but results may vary in texture and flavor.
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How long do these cookies keep fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for about 3 days. After that, they’re still safe to eat but may lose some softness.
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Can I add mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Adding nuts or chocolate chips can be a delicious twist to this Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe. Just fold them in gently after mixing the dough to avoid overworking it.
Final Thoughts
This Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to favorites because it combines ease with a deliciously soft texture you just don’t get from regular cookies. I always feel a little proud when I pull them out of the oven and see how perfect they turn out. I can’t recommend you try them enough—whether it’s a quiet night in or you’re looking to impress visitors with something homemade and heartwarming, these cookies hit the spot every time.
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
Delight in these soft and tangy Cream Cheese Cookies, a perfect combination of buttery richness and creamy texture. These easy-to-make cookies have a tender crumb, a subtle sweetness, and are ideal for any occasion, from teatime treats to holiday gatherings.
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 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 unsalted butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Mix: Incorporate the granulated sugar into the creamed mixture and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender cookie.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, scraping down the bowl once and mixing again to ensure an even blend.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Scrape the bowl with a spatula and mix once more to form a uniform dough without overmixing.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling firms the dough, making it easier to handle and enhancing the cookie texture.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat liner to prevent sticking.
- Shape Cookies: Portion approximately two tablespoons of dough each and roll into balls. The dough will be sticky, so dampen your hands to facilitate rolling and wash them as needed.
- Bake Cookies: Place the cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet about two inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to set and turn a light golden color.
- 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. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate for added sweetness and presentation.
Notes
- Measure your flour correctly to avoid dry cookies. Use a kitchen scale for accuracy or fluff and spoon the flour into your cup and level it off with a knife if a scale is unavailable.
- Scrape down the bowl before adding dry ingredients to ensure a homogeneous mixture without overbeating.
- Dampen your hands to roll the sticky dough and take breaks to wash your hands to keep them manageable.
- Enhance cookies visually and flavor-wise by dusting with powdered sugar or drizzling with melted white chocolate after baking.
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: 0.2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 19mg
