Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe

Experience the magic of Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies; these irresistibly soft, chewy delights are perfect for any occasion. Blending cream cheese, butter, sugar, and a hint of vanilla creates a uniquely rich flavor. Ideal for sharing sweet moments, this recipe offers an effortless way to prepare delicious, hand-cut treats that brighten any day.

I’m excited to share my Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies recipe with you. These cookies are soft and chewy because of the cream cheese I mix right in with unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar.

Using an egg and a dash of vanilla extract, the dough comes together pretty smooth. I start with 2 cups of all-purpose flour and then slowly add up to 2 1/2 cups if the dough seems too sticky.

I also mix in a little baking soda and salt to balance out the sweetness and add a bit of a lift to these cookies. I’ve found that the cream cheese really makes these cookies stand out when compared to regular sugar cookies, giving them that slight tang and tender texture.

I like to think of them as my twist on the best cutout sugar cookies and I know you’ll love trying out this easy cookie recipe. Enjoy baking and eating these delicious treats!

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I really like that these cookies always come out super soft and chewy even though theyre sugar cookies, which makes them different from the usual crunchy ones.
2. The cream cheese in the recipe gives them a slightly tangy flavor that i just can’t get enough of, making each bite feel rich and creamy.
3. I love how easy it is to adjust the dough; if it gets too sticky, i can just add a bit more flour without any fuss, which makes the process a lot less stressful.
4. Cutting out shapes with cookie cutters is always fun to do, and it makes the cookies perfect for parties or just a fun snack when i want to get creative in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• Adds creaminess and moisture, giving cookies a tender, rich texture.
• Delivers tangy flavor and creamy texture while helpin cookies stay soft.
• Sweetens cookies, aids in browning, and creates a slight crispy edge.
• Works as binder and adds protein to support a solid cookie structure.
• Boosts flavor with aromatic sweetness and rounds out the overall taste.
• Provides carbs and protein, building dough structure for yummy cookies.
• Helps cookies rise and enhances flavor balance for both savory and sweet delight.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened at room temp
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened (make sure it isn’t too cold)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (start with 2 cups and add more if the dough feels too sticky)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until it’s nice and fluffy.

3. Stir in the egg and vanilla extract making sure they’re well mixed.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.

6. If the dough feels too sticky, add more flour little by little until it comes together.

7. Optional: chill the dough for about 30 minutes if you think it will be easier to roll out and cut.

8. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about a 1/4 inch thickness.

9. Use cookie cutters to cut out your shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

10. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges just start to turn lightly golden; let them cool on a rack before enjoyin them.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheated to 350°F)
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper (lined on baking sheet)
4. Large bowl (for beating butter, cream cheese, and sugar)
5. Mixer (hand mixer or stand mixer)
6. Medium bowl (for whisking together dry ingredients)
7. Measuring cups and spoons (for ingredients)
8. Spatula (for mixing)
9. Rolling pin (to roll out the dough)
10. Flat, lightly floured surface (for rolling the dough)
11. Cookie cutters (to shape the cookies)
12. Cooling rack (to let the cookies cool)

FAQ

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• For unsalted butter, you can use the same amount of margarine though it might change the flavor a bit.
• If you cant find cream cheese, mascarpone cheese works pretty well as a swap in this recipe.
• Instead of granulated sugar, you could try using brown sugar, but it might give a slightly deeper taste.
• You can replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water) if you need a vegan option.
• If you dont have vanilla extract, almond extract can be a fun alternative for a twist in flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure the butter and cream cheese are completely at room temp before mixing so you dont end up with weird lumps in your dough.
2. When adding the flour, add a little bit at a time if the dough is too sticky; you dont want to overdo it or your cookies will be too dense.
3. Chilling the dough for around 30 minutes can really help when you’re trying to cut out shapes, since it makes the dough easier to handle and less likely to tear.
4. Keep a close watch on your cookies while they bake so they dont overcook; once the edges just start to turn a light golden color, youre good to go.