Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate balance of soft, tender, and wonderfully buttery cut-out cookies that hold their shape and taste dreamy, look no further than Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies. These are the kind of cookies that bring friends and family together—lightly crisp at the edges, deliciously creamy in each bite, and perfect for every occasion, from holiday trays to impromptu Tuesday baking sprees. Combining traditional sugar cookie goodness with a secret boost of richness courtesy of cream cheese, this recipe is about to become a well-loved staple in your home repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies comes from a handful of familiar pantry ingredients, each one playing a starring role in the final cookie’s flavor and texture. Don’t be tempted to swap or skip—the charm is all in the balance of these basics coming together.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): Gives the cookies their classic richness and that “melt-in-your-mouth” experience.
- Cream Cheese (3 oz, softened): The game-changer! Tenderizes the dough and lends a delicious creaminess to every bite.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps achieve that slight crispness on the edge.
- Large Egg (1): Binds the dough and gives the cookies a soft, cakey structure.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavors with its warm, comforting aroma.
- Almond Extract (1/2 teaspoon, optional): For an extra pop of bakery-style flavor; don’t skip it if you love classic sugar cookies.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 1/2 cups): The backbone—provides structure so your cookies hold their shape perfectly.
- Baking Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Just enough lift to keep the cookies soft, never dense.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances out the sweetness for a well-rounded flavor.
How to Make Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
Using a large mixing bowl and a reliable electric mixer, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until completely smooth and luscious. This foundational blend ensures your Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies are tender yet structurally sound, guaranteeing that pillowy bite every time.
Step 2: Add Sugar and Beat Until Fluffy
Once the butter and cream cheese are silky, add the granulated sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light, creamy, and visibly paler in color. This step infuses air to help your cookies bake up delightfully soft, with a delicate crumb and irresistible flavor.
Step 3: Incorporate Egg and Extracts
Crack in a large egg along with the vanilla extract—and almond, if you enjoy a bakery-style aroma. Beat again until the mixture is thoroughly combined. The blend should be creamy and uniform, promising a beautifully mixed dough in the next steps.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, ensuring even distribution of leavening and flavor. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until the dough just comes together—avoid over-mixing for optimal tenderness in every cookie.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half and shape each piece into a flat disc. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap—think of it as tucking your dough in for a cozy nap—and chill for at least 1 hour. This not only makes rolling easier, but helps your Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies keep those crisp shapes when baked.
Step 6: Roll and Cut Out Cookies
Preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare your baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll each disc to a quarter-inch thickness. Now is when the fun begins—grab your favorite cookie cutters and start shaping, placing each form about an inch apart on your trays. The dough should roll out beautifully soft, with just the right elasticity for handling.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges are golden and the tops look set. You want to pull them from the oven while they’re still pale in the middle for that perfect soft interior. Allow the cookies to cool for a couple of minutes on their trays before moving them to a wire rack—they’ll finish setting up and be ready for decorating.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies provide the perfect blank canvas for all kinds of delicious creative touches. Once they’re fully cooled, try slathering them with your favorite frosting, a simple powdered sugar glaze, or a sprinkling of colored sanding sugar. For an extra-special finish, edible glitter or shimmering dragees add eye-catching sparkle worthy of any party or holiday tray.
Side Dishes
While the cookies are the undeniable stars, pairing them with something sippable makes for a dreamy treat. Serve alongside hot chocolate, spiced chai, or even a chilled glass of milk. For grown-up gatherings, a mug of coffee or an after-dinner liqueur elegantly balances the sweet, creamy flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Let your presentation be as personal as your decorating! Stack the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbon for sweet gifts, or arrange them in a tiered dessert platter for festive gatherings. Layering different shapes and sizes also keeps things visually exciting. These cookies are crowd-pleasers anywhere they show up!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once decorated and cooled, store Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They hold their soft, fresh texture for up to five days, making them a fantastic choice for holiday prep or gifting.
Freezing
Both the baked cookies and unbaked dough freeze beautifully. For the dough, wrap tightly and store up to three months—just let it thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling out. Baked cookies can be frozen undecorated in layers separated by parchment; allow to come to room temperature before enjoying or decorating.
Reheating
To freshen up cookies after storing or freezing, pop them in a 300°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes. This will revive their tenderness and bring out the homey aroma—just be careful not to overheat, as sugar cookies can brown quickly.
FAQs
How do I prevent my Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies from spreading?
Chilling your dough is key! Letting the dough rest in the fridge helps the fats solidify, ensuring your cookies hold their beautiful, sharp-edged shapes once baked. Always work with cold dough when cutting and baking for the best results.
Can I decorate these cookies before baking?
If you’d like, you can add sprinkles or colored sugars before baking, which gives a classic look. For detailed icing or intricate designs, it’s best to wait until the cookies have cooled completely.
Do I have to use almond extract?
Almond extract adds a classic bakery flavor, but the cookies are delicious with just vanilla too. Feel free to leave it out or swap in other extracts like lemon or orange if you want to experiment.
Can I make Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for all-purpose flour. Check that your blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binding agent for best results.
Why do my cookies feel tough after baking?
Tough cookies usually mean the dough was over-mixed once the flour was added. To keep Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies soft and tender, mix just until combined after adding the dry ingredients, and avoid working the dough too much when rolling out.
Final Thoughts
These Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies are more than just a treat—they’re a delicious tradition you’ll come back to every time you crave something nostalgic, tender, and wonderfully sweet. Whether for the holidays, a bake sale, or a simple afternoon pick-me-up, don’t hesitate to try this recipe and see for yourself how truly irresistible homemade can be. Happy baking!
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Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies (depending on size) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat, perfect for any occasion. They are soft, buttery, and hold their shape well, making them ideal for decorating with your favorite icing. The addition of cream cheese gives them a rich flavor and tender texture that will have everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, beat until fluffy. Mix in egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture, mix until dough forms.
- Chill and Roll: Divide dough, flatten into discs, chill for 1 hour. Roll out dough, cut shapes, place on baking sheets.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F, bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are golden. Cool and decorate.
Notes
- These cookies hold their shape well, perfect for decorating.
- For easier rolling, let chilled dough sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chill time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
