If you’re a cookie lover on the hunt for a soft, tender treat that melts in your mouth and carries a hint of tangy richness, the Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies combine the smooth creaminess of cream cheese with the classic sweet charm of sugar cookies, giving you a wonderfully delicate texture and a flavor profile that feels both familiar and delightfully unique. Perfect for holidays, celebrations, or simply brightening up an ordinary day, this recipe guarantees more than just cookies—it promises smiles with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients come together beautifully in this recipe, each playing a crucial role in the cookie’s irresistible texture and flavor. From the rich cream cheese adding moisture and tenderness to the vanilla that brings warmth and depth, every component is essential.
- Butter, softened: Provides richness and helps achieve that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Cream cheese, softened: Adds subtle tanginess and enhances softness in every bite.
- Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with browning during baking.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough, balancing softness and shape.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with a lovely aromatic flavor.
- Baking powder: Gives the cookies a slight lift and lightness.
How to Make Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures an even bake from the moment the cookies go in, helping them develop that perfect golden edge every time.
Step 2: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until the mixture is fluffy and smooth. This step is key to a light, tender cookie—make sure you really whip the mixture to incorporate air.
Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs and vanilla extract into the creamy mixture, blending well until everything is fully combined. These ingredients add moisture and flavor, setting the foundation for deliciousness.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine
In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour along with the baking powder. Gradually introduce this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing here can lead to a tougher cookie, so take care.
Step 5: Roll and Cut the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness—thin enough for tender bites, thick enough for structure. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create shapes, making this the fun part where you get creative!
Step 6: Arrange and Bake
Place your cut cookies on a baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for a little spreading. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges show a gentle golden brown, signaling they are perfectly done.
Step 7: Cool Before Decorating
Once baked, transfer the cookies onto a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial if you plan to decorate, ensuring your icing or toppings don’t melt or slide off.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies are incredibly versatile when it comes to garnishing. A simple dusting of powdered sugar can lend a snowy elegance, while a classic icing with sprinkles makes them festive. For a gourmet touch, try drizzling melted chocolate or adding chopped nuts.
Side Dishes
Pair these sweet delights with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or a glass of cold milk to balance their richness. They also make an excellent companion to fruit preserves or a smooth cream cheese frosting to amplify their creamy charm.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings or gift-giving, arrange your Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies Recipe on decorative trays or stack them with parchment paper between layers in a pretty box. You can also tie bundles with ribbon for a charming homemade gift that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will stay fresh and soft for up to a week. Layering with parchment paper prevents sticking and preserves their beautiful cut-out shapes.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either before or after baking. Wrap the dough tightly, or freeze cooled baked cookies in airtight containers for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature for best results.
Reheating
If you prefer warm cookies, pop them in a low oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes, or microwave briefly for 10-15 seconds. This brings back that fresh-baked softness and makes the cream cheese flavor shine.
FAQs
Can I substitute cream cheese with something else?
While cream cheese is key for that signature tang and texture, you could experiment with mascarpone or a smooth ricotta. Keep in mind that these might alter the flavor and softness slightly.
Why do these cookies stay soft compared to regular sugar cookies?
The addition of cream cheese introduces moisture and fat, which keeps the cookies irresistibly tender and less prone to drying out or becoming crumbly.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese in this recipe?
Using low-fat cream cheese may affect the cookie’s texture and richness. For best results, stick with full-fat cream cheese to maintain that silky, tender crumb.
Is it necessary to chill the dough before cutting out shapes?
This recipe doesn’t require chilling, but you can refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes if it feels too soft or sticky—it sometimes makes rolling and cutting cleaner and easier.
How should I decorate these cookies for holidays?
These cookies are a perfect canvas! Use royal icing, colored sugar, or edible glitter to match the season. For Christmas, think red and green sprinkles; for Valentine’s Day, heart shapes with pink icing are lovely.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend the Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies Recipe enough if you want a treat that’s soft, flavorful, and effortlessly charming. They’re the kind of cookies that quickly become a household favorite and a go-to for any cookie occasion. So go ahead—grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy every sweet moment baking these delightful cookies with love.
Print
Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings (24 cookies)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully soft and creamy, these Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies combine the richness of cream cheese with classic buttery sugar cookie flavors. Perfectly tender and subtly sweet, they bake up with golden edges and hold their shape beautifully for decorating. Ideal for festive occasions or everyday treats, these cookies are easy to make and satisfy any sweet tooth with a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Mix Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and smooth, ensuring an even base for the dough.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly until fully combined and homogeneous.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour and baking powder.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently but completely until a smooth dough forms without lumps.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough out to approximately 1/4-inch thickness, preparing it for shape cutting.
- Cut Cookies: Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into desired shapes, transferring the pieces carefully to a baking sheet lined with parchment or lightly greased.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown, indicating they are cooked through.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack before decorating or serving.
Notes
- For best results, ensure butter and cream cheese are fully softened before mixing.
- Do not overbake; cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- These cookies are excellent for decorating with icing or sprinkles once cooled.
- You can chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to make cutting shapes easier.
