Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Name: Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 39 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 8 ounces cream cheese (softened); 1 ¼ cup sugar; ¼ tsp salt; 1 egg; 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract; 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ¾ tsp baking powder; Holiday sprinkles (for decoration); 3 cups powdered sugar (for icing); 3 TBS heavy whipping cream (substitute with whole milk if needed); 4 tsp light corn syrup; ½ tsp vanilla extract (for icing); 3-4 TBS water (for icing); Gel food coloring (optional); Additional sprinkles (optional for decoration)

By:

Thomas

Published:

November 14, 2025

[grow_share_buttons]

Jump to Recipe·Leave a Review

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat that brings a smile to your face with each bite. They’re soft, chewy, and perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a sweet snack at home. Imagine walking into a room filled with the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked cookies, and you can already picture the happiness on everyone’s faces. The special ingredient here is cream cheese, which gives these cookies a rich and unique flavor that sets them apart from your typical sugar cookie. Whether you decorate them with colorful sprinkles or enjoy them plain, these cookies are bound to become a favorite in your household. So, grab your apron and let’s get started on creating these sweet delights that everyone will love!

Why This Recipe Works

The magic of this recipe lies in the clever combination of cream cheese and butter. Together, they create cookies that are uniquely soft and tender, making each bite feel like a hug. Plus, baking powder lends a fluffy texture that makes them light yet satisfying. Another important note is the chilling of the dough. By refrigerating it, we ensure that our cookies maintain their shape while baking, giving us those beautiful, perfect cookie edges.

Why You’ll Love This Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are not just simple to make; they’re also adaptable for any occasion. If you want to make them festive, you can add seasonal sprinkles or use food coloring to match party themes. This flexibility makes them suitable for birthdays, holidays, or just a fun baking day at home. The soft, chewy texture makes them a real crowd-pleaser, and you’ll find friends and family coming back for seconds—if not thirds!

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1 ¼ cup sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 egg
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ tsp baking powder
Holiday sprinkles (for decoration)
3 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
3 TBS heavy whipping cream (substitute with whole milk if needed)
4 tsp light corn syrup
½ tsp vanilla extract (for icing)
3-4 TBS water (for icing)
Gel food coloring (optional)
Additional sprinkles (optional for decoration)

Mixing the Dough

Creaming Butter and Cream Cheese

To kick things off, grab a hand or stand mixer. Cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until they are well blended and look smooth. This will take just a few minutes, and you’ll notice a delicious aroma starting to fill your kitchen.

Adding Sugar and Egg

Now, gradually add the sugar, salt, egg, and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture. Mix everything until it’s fully combined and fluffy. This step adds sweetness and depth of flavor, making the dough even tastier.

Incorporating Dry Ingredients

Next, it’s time to slowly incorporate the dry ingredients. Add the all-purpose flour and baking powder into your mixture. Mix just until the dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make your cookies tough.

Chilling the Dough

Now comes the part where we make our lives a little easier. Divide the dough into two halves. Wrap each half in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for 1 hour. Chilling the dough will ensure that our cookies hold their shape while baking and helps develop the flavor.

Baking the Cookies

Prepping the Oven and Baking Sheets

While the dough chills, go ahead and preheat your oven to 375°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This step is crucial because it prevents the cookies from sticking to the sheets—such an easy way to avoid a mess!

Rolling and Cutting the Dough

When the dough is chilled and firm, it’s time to roll it out. Lightly flour your working surface, and roll out the chilled dough to about ¼” thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Whether you want stars, hearts, or traditional circles is up to you!

Baking the Cookies

Now, place the cut dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-9 minutes, until the bottoms are just lightly golden. This creates that perfect balance of soft yet slightly crisp cookies. After baking, let them cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Preparing the Icing

Mixing the Icing Ingredients

While your cookies cool, let’s mix up the icing. Combine powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, light corn syrup, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of water in a bowl. Stir well to combine, and adjust the consistency with more water until it’s just right for drizzling over the cookies.

Adding Color to the Icing

Want to make your cookies pop with color? To color the icing, dip a toothpick into your gel food coloring and mix it into the icing until you get the shade you love. This is where you can let your creativity shine!

Icing the Cookies

Transfer the colored icing into a zippered bag and cut off one corner. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies, and if you like, sprinkle on some holiday sprinkles right away so they stick. This makes your cookies not only delicious but visually appealing too!

Serving Suggestions

Serve these delightful cookies with a cup of coffee or tea for a perfect afternoon treat.
They’re also ideal for holiday cookie trays or for bake sales, bringing both joy and sweetness wherever they go.

Tips for Success

Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature; this makes them easier to mix together smoothly.
It’s a good idea to let the cookies cool completely before icing them. This prevents the icing from melting and losing its beautiful design.

Variations

Want to change things up? Substitute chocolate chips or nuts in the dough for a delightful twist.
You might also try using different flavors of extract, like almond or lemon, to enjoy varied tastes in your cookies.

Storage Tips

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
If you want to save some for later, freeze uniced cookies in an airtight container for up to three months.

Pairing Ideas

These cookies go wonderfully with a glass of milk—a classic combination that never disappoints.
You can also enjoy them with fresh fruit, which provides a refreshing balance to the sweetness.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
A1: Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese; however, it may slightly change the texture.

Q2: How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
A2: Chill the dough properly before baking; this will help them maintain their shape.

Q3: What should I do if my icing is too runny?
A3: Simply add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired thickness.

Q4: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A4: Absolutely! Just substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Q5: How long do the cookies stay fresh?
A5: When stored correctly, these cookies will last about one week at room temperature.

These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are sure to create wonderful memories filled with laughter, warmth, and deliciousness. So, gather your ingredients and enjoy the joy of baking together with loved ones! Each bite will remind you of the love and effort you put in. Happy baking!