If you’re craving a cookie that’s delightfully soft with just the right hint of tang, then this Easy Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need in your baking repertoire. These cookies combine the creamy richness of cream cheese with buttery goodness, resulting in a tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat. They are simple to whip up, perfect for any occasion, and bound to become a fast favorite. Whether you are a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe makes indulgence effortless and utterly satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is a breeze with this recipe since each element plays a crucial role in creating that iconic cream cheese cookie texture and flavor. From the soft butter that adds richness to the delicate almond extract that elevates the aroma, everything is designed to build a perfectly balanced cookie.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Provides a creamy base and tender crumb while controlling salt levels.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): The star ingredient that gives these cookies their signature moist, tangy softness.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the dough and helps create a light, fluffy texture.
- Large egg (room temperature): Binds the ingredients and adds moisture for perfect chewiness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and depth to the overall taste.
- Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon, optional): Offers a subtle nutty undertone that highlights the cream cheese flavor.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The foundation that provides structure without heaviness.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Ensures the cookies rise just enough for a soft bite.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting): Adds an elegant finishing touch and extra sweetness.
How to Make Easy Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
Start by beating the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is completely smooth. This crucial step lays the foundation for the cookies’ tender texture, ensuring every bite is creamy and luscious.
Step 2: Add the Sugar
Add the granulated sugar to the butter and cream cheese blend, then mix it until the combination becomes light and fluffy. This process helps incorporate air into your dough, making the cookies wonderfully soft and melt-in-your-mouth.
Step 3: Mix in the Egg and Extracts
Incorporate the room temperature egg along with the vanilla extract and almond extract if you’re using it. These ingredients add richness and deepen the flavor profile, giving your cookies a lovely, aromatic quality that is hard to resist.
Step 4: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed so that your cookies bake uniformly with the perfect rise and flavor balance.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. It’s important not to overmix here — just enough to bring everything together to maintain that tender texture you’re aiming for.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and refrigerate it for one hour. Chilling not only firms up the dough for easier handling but also allows the flavors to meld and results in cookies that hold their shape while baking.
Step 7: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This preparation step sets you up for baking success and prevents the cookies from sticking or burning.
Step 8: Shape and Flatten
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them spaced apart on your baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball to ensure even cooking and the classic cookie shape.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a golden color. This timing guarantees a perfect balance of softness inside with a slight crisp on the outside.
Step 10: Cool and Optional Dusting
Let the cookies cool briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a wire rack. If you’re feeling fancy, dust the tops with powdered sugar to add a pretty, delicate sweetness.
How to Serve Easy Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like a light dusting of powdered sugar can make these cookies look bakery-ready. For a fun twist, try sprinkling finely chopped nuts or a drizzle of melted chocolate for added texture and flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea or coffee, making them an ideal treat for afternoon breaks. They also enjoy great company with fresh fruit or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Presenting these cookies on a pretty platter with a few sprigs of fresh mint or edible flowers can elevate any gathering. For celebrations, sandwich two cookies together with a layer of fruit jam or a smear of cream cheese frosting for a delightful surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Easy Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe fresh by storing leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This method helps maintain their soft texture and keeps them tasting freshly baked.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough before baking or freeze the baked cookies themselves. For dough, shape it into balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a sealed bag for up to three months. Baked cookies freeze well too, stored in a single layer with parchment paper between layers.
Reheating
To enjoy thawed cookies as if fresh, warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This gentle reheating helps restore softness and refreshes the flavors nicely.
FAQs
Can I substitute the cream cheese in this recipe?
While cream cheese is the key to this recipe’s signature texture and flavor, you might try mascarpone or Neufchatel cheese as alternatives, but be prepared for subtle differences in moistness and tang.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Chilling the dough is highly recommended because it improves the cookie’s texture and prevents spreading during baking, which helps maintain the perfect shape and softness.
Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?
Absolutely! Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit can be folded into the dough before chilling to introduce extra texture and flavor, personalizing this easy cream cheese cookies recipe.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
If almond extract isn’t available, you can simply leave it out. The cookies will still be delicious with the vanilla extract providing plenty of aromatic sweetness.
How thick should I flatten the cookie dough balls?
Flatten the dough balls slightly so they are about 1/4 inch thick. This ensures even baking and the characteristic soft edges without being too thin or thick.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about these Easy Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe that makes every bite feel like a warm hug. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a batch of tender, flavorful cookies that everyone will adore. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and bake up a little joy today—these cookies will not disappoint!
Print
Easy Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Cream Cheese Cookies are soft, buttery, and delicately flavored with vanilla and optional almond extract. They combine cream cheese and butter for a tender texture and are perfect for a simple, elegant treat. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, these cookies are ideal for beginner bakers or anyone craving a melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Topping
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Beat butter and cream cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring a creamy base for your dough.
- Add sugar: Gradually add granulated sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture, beating until the texture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie.
- Incorporate egg and extracts: Mix in the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, blending until all the wet ingredients are fully combined for enhanced flavor and moisture.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine dry and wet: Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing gently until a smooth dough forms, being careful not to overwork it to maintain tenderness.
- Chill dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm it up, which makes shaping easier and prevents spreading during baking.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Form cookie balls: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch diameter balls. Place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet, then gently flatten each ball slightly for uniform baking.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges just start to turn a light golden color, indicating the perfect tenderness inside.
- Cool and dust: Allow cookies to cool briefly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired for a delicate finishing touch.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is important to prevent cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Using room temperature ingredients helps the dough blend smoothly.
- Optional almond extract adds a subtle nutty depth but can be omitted for a classic vanilla flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies freeze well either as dough or fully baked; thaw at room temperature before serving.
