If you love soft, tender cookies with a warm, comforting flavor, you are going to fall head over heels for this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe. These cookies combine the richness of cream cheese with the sweet, spicy allure of cinnamon, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience that feels like a cozy hug. The cinnamon sugar coating adds just the right touch of crunch and sparkle, making these treats perfect for any season—whether you’re baking for the holidays or simply craving a delightful snack. Baking these beauties is straightforward, and the results are bakery-quality, guaranteed to become a new favorite in your cookie rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe lies in the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each element plays a special role in developing the cookie’s soft texture, moist crumb, and irresistible cinnamon flavor.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Provides a creamy base and richness that makes the cookies tender.
- Cream cheese (4 ounces, softened): Gives the cookies a luscious, moist texture and subtle tang.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the dough evenly for balanced flavor.
- Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients together, adding structure and softness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
- All-purpose flour (1 â…” cups): Creates the fundamental dough structure and gentle chewiness.
- Baking powder (½ teaspoon): Adds a light lift for perfectly soft cookies.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Infuses the dough with cozy, spicy warmth.
- Granulated sugar for rolling (3 tablespoons): Gives a sparkling sweetness on the surface for that delightful first bite.
- Ground cinnamon for rolling (1 teaspoon): Adds an extra cinnamon punch and beautiful color contrast.
How to Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preparing your oven and ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures it’s at the perfect temperature when your cookies are ready to bake. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy—trust me, it’s a game changer!
Step 2: Creaming butter and cream cheese
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until you have a smooth, creamy mixture. This step is essential because it creates the soft, tender base for your cookies. Take a moment here to scrape down the sides of your bowl so everything blends perfectly.
Step 3: Mixing in sugar, egg, and vanilla
Add the cup of granulated sugar to the creamed mixture and beat until the texture turns light and fluffy—this aeration is key to a tender bite. Then beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, giving you a silky, fragrant dough ready for the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Combining dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and one teaspoon of cinnamon. Whisking ensures that the leavening and spice are evenly distributed throughout the flour for consistent flavor and texture.
Step 5: Bringing the dough together
Gradually add your dry ingredient mixture into the wet bowl, mixing just until everything comes together. Resist the urge to over-mix here—overworking the dough can make your cookies dense rather than soft and tender.
Step 6: Coating with cinnamon sugar
In a small bowl, combine the remaining three tablespoons of sugar with one teaspoon of cinnamon. Scoop the dough by tablespoonfuls, roll each portion into a ball, and then coat thoroughly in the cinnamon sugar mixture. This extra step gives your cookies that irresistible crackly surface and a little sparkle.
Step 7: Baking your cookies
Place the coated cookie dough balls on your prepared baking sheets about two inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the bottoms turn a soft golden brown. Your kitchen will instantly smell like a cinnamon dream!
Step 8: Cooling
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about five minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps the cookies finish setting and keeps them soft and chewy.
How to Serve Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk over the cookies for a pretty, festive touch. You can also add a tiny pinch of cinnamon on top to sharpen the flavor even more.
Side Dishes
These cookies love to be paired with a warm cup of tea, coffee, or even a glass of cold milk. For a special treat, serve alongside a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make dessert extra indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden platter with cinnamon sticks and a few small bowls of cinnamon sugar for extra dipping fun. For parties, sandwich two cookies together with cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream for a decadent twist on the classic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and flavorful. They stay fresh for up to five days, making it easy to enjoy them throughout the week without losing their charm.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to three months—just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
If you want to bring back that freshly baked warmth, gently microwave a cookie for 10 to 15 seconds. This softens the cookie’s center and revives the creamy cinnamon flavors beautifully without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?
While low-fat cream cheese can work, it may affect the texture by making the cookies less creamy and tender. For the best soft and moist results, full-fat cream cheese is recommended.
What if I don’t have parchment paper for baking?
You can grease your baking sheets lightly with butter or non-stick spray if parchment paper isn’t available. Just watch your cookies closely during baking to prevent sticking or burning on the bottoms.
Can I add nuts or raisins to these cookies?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or raisins add an exciting texture and depth of flavor. Fold about a half cup into the dough after mixing in the dry ingredients, but don’t overload it to keep the cookies tender.
Is it possible to make these cookies vegan?
This Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe relies on butter, cream cheese, and eggs, so making it vegan would require substitutions like vegan butter, plant-based cream cheese, and an egg replacer. The texture may vary, but experimenting can yield a tasty vegan alternative.
How can I make the cookies more festive for holidays?
Add a pinch of ground nutmeg or use pumpkin pie spice in your cinnamon sugar mix for a holiday twist. You can also decorate them with sprinkles or drizzle melted white chocolate for a celebratory flair.
Final Thoughts
Baking this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe is like sharing a bit of cozy comfort with every bite. Its simple ingredients come together to create a soft, flavorful cookie that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, these cookies are a lovely way to spread sweetness and warmth. I’m confident once you try this recipe, these tender cinnamon treats will quickly become a beloved staple in your home, just like they are in mine.
Print
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies are soft, tender, and bursting with warm cinnamon flavor. Made with a creamy blend of butter and cream cheese, rolled in a cinnamon-sugar coating, they are a perfect festive treat that melts in your mouth with every bite.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 â…” cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Mix Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until you achieve a smooth and creamy texture.
- Add Sugar and Beat: Add 1 cup of granulated sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie.
- Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined and the mixture is uniform in texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, mix together 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Then roll the balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the bottoms turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or substitute pumpkin spice in the cinnamon-sugar coating for a festive twist.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
