Cream cheese sugar cookies are soft, tender, and perfectly sweet—my favorite kind of cookie when I want something simple but a little extra special. The cream cheese adds a subtle tang and makes the cookies unbelievably soft, with just the right amount of chew. Whether I bake them plain, add frosting, or decorate them for the holidays, these cookies always turn out beautifully.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it takes classic sugar cookies to the next level. The cream cheese not only adds flavor but also keeps the cookies soft for days. The dough is easy to work with, doesn’t require chilling, and holds its shape if I want to cut it into fun designs. Whether I bake them for a party, holiday tray, or just because, these cookies are a go-to treat that never fail.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
All-purpose flour
-
Baking powder
-
Salt
-
Unsalted butter, softened
-
Cream cheese, softened
-
Granulated sugar
-
Egg
-
Vanilla extract
-
Almond extract (optional, but adds great flavor)
Directions
-
I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line my baking sheets with parchment paper.
-
In a bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
-
In a large mixing bowl, I beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
-
I add the sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy.
-
I mix in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract until fully combined.
-
I gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
-
I scoop or roll the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. I press them down slightly with the bottom of a glass or my fingers.
-
I bake for 9–11 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft.
-
I let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 24 cookies.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Variations
Sometimes I roll the dough in colored sugar before baking for a sparkly finish. For frosted cookies, I spread cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream on top once cooled. If I want a citrusy twist, I add lemon or orange zest to the dough. I’ve also chilled the dough and used cookie cutters for shaped cookies during the holidays.
storage/reheating
I store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If I’ve frosted them, I keep them in the fridge. The cookies also freeze well—I just stack them between layers of parchment and freeze in a container for up to 2 months. No reheating needed—they’re perfect as is.
FAQs
Why use cream cheese in sugar cookies?
Cream cheese adds moisture, richness, and a slight tang that makes these cookies softer and more flavorful than regular sugar cookies.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Not for this version, unless I’m using cookie cutters and want super clean shapes. Otherwise, the dough bakes beautifully right away.
Can I decorate these cookies?
Yes, I decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or sugar before or after baking, depending on the look I’m going for.
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely. I freeze scooped balls of dough or wrapped dough logs, then bake straight from frozen—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Are these cookies good for holidays?
Yes, they’re perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any occasion. I love making them with festive sprinkles or shaped with cookie cutters.
Conclusion
Cream cheese sugar cookies are soft, flavorful, and easy to make—everything I want in a sweet treat. Whether I bake them as-is or dress them up with frosting and sprinkles, they’re always a hit. With just a few simple ingredients, these cookies turn out tender, delicious, and ready to brighten up any dessert table.
Print
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cream cheese sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and subtly tangy thanks to cream cheese in the dough. These easy-to-make cookies hold their shape and are perfect plain, frosted, or decorated for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add the granulated sugar and continue to beat until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop or roll the dough into balls and place on the prepared baking sheets. Press each slightly with your fingers or a flat-bottomed glass.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers are still soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Roll dough in colored sugar before baking for a festive look.
- Add lemon or orange zest for a citrus flavor twist.
- Top cooled cookies with cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream if desired.
- Chill dough before cutting into shapes with cookie cutters for holiday cookies.
- Freeze baked cookies or raw dough for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
