Easy Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe: Soft, Buttery Bites You’ll Love

Cream cheese cookies bring pure magic to your dessert table with their irresistible soft texture and delightful tanginess.

These delectable treats blend creamy richness with sweet comfort in every single bite.

Small yet mighty, these cookies promise a melt-in-your-mouth experience that reinvents ordinary baking into something extraordinary.

Crafted with minimal ingredients, they represent simplicity meeting culinary elegance.

Home bakers of all skill levels can master this recipe without feeling overwhelmed by complex techniques.

Smooth cream cheese creates a tender crumb that distinguishes these cookies from standard sugar cookie variations.

The subtle tang and luxurious mouthfeel make them an instant crowd-pleaser at gatherings or quiet moments of personal indulgence.

Cream Cheese Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth

• Whip Up Creamy Comfort: These cookies deliver a luxurious, velvety texture that melts in your mouth, thanks to the magical combination of cream cheese and butter.
• Bake in a Breeze: Perfect for baking novices, this recipe requires minimal ingredients and simple mixing techniques, making it stress-free and foolproof for anyone craving homemade treats.
• Quick Dessert Delight: From start to finish, these cookies come together in under 30 minutes, offering a speedy solution for sudden sweet cravings or unexpected guests, with a sophisticated touch of powdered sugar dusting.

Everything You Need for Cream Cheese Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture. Softened at room temperature for easy mixing.
• Cream Cheese: Adds tanginess and moisture, creating a soft and rich cookie base. Full-fat variety works best.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure to the cookies. Room temperature egg integrates smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla extract recommended for best taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base structure of the cookies. Fresh, unsifted flour ensures proper texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light and fluffy. Check expiration date for maximum effectiveness.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile. Fine table salt works perfectly.

• Powdered Sugar (for dusting): Adds a decorative touch and extra sweetness. Sifted for even coating.

Steps to Bake Cream Cheese Cookies with Ease

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F and grab a baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper for smooth cookie magic.

Step 2: Blend Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, toss in softened butter and cream cheese. Grab an electric mixer and whip them together until super smooth and dreamy.

Step 3: Sweeten the Mix

Pour in powdered sugar gradually, mixing at low speed. Keep stirring until everything blends perfectly.

Step 4: Add Flavor Boosters

Crack in the egg and splash vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly to create a rich, delicious foundation.

Step 5: Create Cookie Dough

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Slowly fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Delights

Use a cookie scoop to create uniform dough balls. Roll them gently with your hands for perfect rounds.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place dough balls on the prepared baking sheet. Slide into the center rack and bake for 10 minutes until edges turn a light golden color.

Step 8: Cool and Finish

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 9: Optional Sugar Sparkle

Once cooled, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness if you want.

Baking Tips for a Softer, Richer Cookie

• Choose Quality Ingredients: Select full-fat cream cheese and unsalted butter at room temperature for the smoothest, richest cookie texture.
• Master Mixing Technique: Cream butter and cream cheese thoroughly until light and fluffy, which ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie consistency.
• Control Cookie Size: Use a consistent cookie scoop to create uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professionally made.
• Watch Baking Time Carefully: Check cookies at 9 minutes to prevent over-browning; they should have delicate golden edges when perfectly done.
• Storage Secrets: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to maintain their soft texture for 3-4 days.

How to Keep Cream Cheese Cookies Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 30 minutes. Warm briefly in a 325°F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore their soft, tender texture and bring back that fresh-baked taste.

Drinks and Treats That Pair Nicely

• Pair with Creamy Dessert Wines: Sip on a luscious Moscato or sweet Riesling that complements the cookie's delicate cream cheese flavor and adds a luxurious touch to each bite.
• Match with Fruity Tea Blends: Brew a warm cup of raspberry or peach tea to enhance the cookie's subtle sweetness and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, buttery texture.
• Serve Alongside Fresh Berries: Arrange a small plate of strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries to add a bright, tangy element that cuts through the cookies' creamy richness and provides a delightful fresh accent.
• Enjoy with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Crumble the cookies over a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent dessert experience that highlights the cookie's soft, melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Variations on the Classic Cream Cheese Base

• Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Cookies: Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the dough for a classic sweet addition that melts perfectly in each bite.
• Lemon Zest Cream Cheese Cookies: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon zest to the dough and replace vanilla extract with lemon extract for a bright, citrusy flavor profile.
• Nutty Cream Cheese Cookies: Mix in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or almonds for a crunchy texture and rich nutty undertone that complements the creamy base.
• Cinnamon Swirl Cream Cheese Cookies: Sprinkle ground cinnamon into the dough and create a quick swirl effect before baking for a warm, aromatic experience.

Easy Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delicate cream cheese cookies melt in your mouth with rich, buttery goodness. These simple treats promise pure comfort with minimal effort, inviting you to savor each delightful crumb.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

Binding Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Seasoning Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and arrange a parchment paper on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine softened unsalted butter and room temperature cream cheese. Utilize an electric mixer to whip the ingredients until they form a silky, homogeneous mixture.
3. Incorporate powdered sugar gradually at a low mixer speed, ensuring even distribution and a smooth consistency.
4. Introduce a fresh egg and pure vanilla extract to the mixture, blending thoroughly until the ingredients are well integrated.
5. In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine salt to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even mixing.
6. Slowly fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a uniform dough develops.
7. Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each portion between your palms to create uniform spherical shapes.
8. Carefully arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining adequate spacing between each cookie.
9. Position the baking sheet on the oven’s center rack and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indicator of doneness.
10. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 3-4 minutes to stabilize their structure.
11. Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, permitting them to reach room temperature completely.
12. Optional: Dust the cooled cookies with an additional light layer of powdered sugar for a decorative finish.

Notes

• Master the art of softening butter and cream cheese at room temperature for the perfect cookie texture.
• Sifting dry ingredients prevents lumps and ensures a smooth, even cookie dough consistency.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent spreading.
• Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and even baking, creating professional-looking treats every time.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
• Customize by adding lemon zest, chocolate chips, or rolling in cinnamon sugar for delightful flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 120 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg