Why You’ll Love Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are the epitome of soft, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. Whether you’re baking for a holiday tray, gifting to neighbors, or just indulging in a little self-love with a cup of tea and a sweet bite, these cookies are destined to become your new go-to. The cream cheese adds an unbeatable richness and soft texture, while the pink frosting brings a whimsical charm that feels like joy in cookie form.
Pure Comfort
There’s something beautifully nostalgic about sugar cookies the buttery aroma filling the kitchen, the soft crumb that practically dissolves on your tongue, and the creamy frosting that makes each bite feel like a warm hug. These cookies are like wrapping up in your coziest blanket on a chilly day. Comfort food at its finest, but in dessert form.
Ingredients of Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
For the Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened 🧈
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened 🧀
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg 🥚
- 1 tsp vanilla extract 🌿
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt 🧂
For the Frosting:
Use your favorite pink frosting whether it’s homemade buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or store-bought, make it yours! 🌸
What You Need
To get baking, you’ll need just a few kitchen basics:
- Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
- Electric mixer (hand or stand mixer)
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Frosting tools: spatula or butter knife
Time to Cook Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 8–10 minutes
- Cool & Frost Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: About 45 minutes
Perfect for a weekend treat or a quick midweek baking session.
Steps to Make Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
2. Cream Butter, Cream Cheese & Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until light, fluffy, and well combined. This should take about 2–3 minutes using an electric mixer.
3. Add Egg & Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Your mixture will become creamy and smooth.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents.
5. Combine
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
6. Shape & Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball with your palm or the bottom of a glass.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Don’t overbake you want them soft and tender!
7. Cool & Frost
Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Then frost with your favorite pink frosting for that charming, soft finish.
Make It Perfect
- Don’t Overmix the dough it keeps the cookies tender.
- Use Room Temp Ingredients for best consistency.
- Cool Before Frosting or your frosting will melt right off.
- Chill the Dough if it’s too sticky to handle.
Mix It Up
- Add a drop of almond extract for a new flavor twist.
- Use a lemon-flavored frosting for a fresh pop of citrus.
- Try gel food coloring to make vibrant frosting shades.
- Sprinkle with sanding sugar, nonpareils, or edible glitter for a festive look!
Perfect Partners
Pair these cookies with:
- A tall glass of cold milk
- Hot cocoa topped with marshmallows
- Chai tea or herbal infusion
- Vanilla bean ice cream for an over-the-top dessert
Busy Day Hero
These cookies are perfect when you’re short on time but want something homemade and heartfelt. You can whip up a batch in under an hour, and they’re ideal for bake sales, birthday parties, or last-minute guests.
Work Ahead
Want to prep in advance?
- Make the dough a day ahead and refrigerate.
- Freeze dough balls and bake from frozen just add 1-2 minutes to bake time.
- Bake & freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Frost when ready to serve.
Save Some For Later
Once frosted, store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them (frosted or unfrosted) with parchment between layers.
Everyone’s Happy
These cookies are a hit with:
- Kids (pink frosting magic!)
- Adults (the subtle cream cheese twist)
- Guests (who will absolutely ask for the recipe)
- You (because yes, you deserve cookies too)
Good For You Too
Okay, maybe they’re not kale… but these cookies bring emotional wellness and that counts! Plus, baking can be therapeutic. Mixing, scooping, frosting it’s all a form of delicious mindfulness.
Easy Clean Up
Line your baking sheet and bowls to simplify your cleanup. Use a single bowl for dry ingredients and reuse the mixer bowl if you’re frosting with store-bought or pre-prepared icing.
Switch It Up
Looking for variety?
- Turn these into cookie sandwiches with frosting in the middle.
- Skip the frosting and dust with powdered sugar.
- Add mini chocolate chips to the dough.
- Use flavored extracts (lemon, almond, coconut) for creative spins.
Simply Perfect
There’s a reason classic recipes stand the test of time. These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are everything a cookie should be: soft, sweet, lightly tangy, and totally irresistible. Whether you bake them for a special occasion or just because they deliver every time.
FAQs for Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
1. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Yes, but full-fat gives the best texture and flavor.
2. How do I keep my cookies soft?
Don’t overbake! Store in an airtight container to lock in moisture.
3. Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely just use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
4. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, freeze dough balls and bake straight from the freezer.
5. What frosting works best?
A classic buttercream or cream cheese frosting pairs beautifully.
6. Can I make them ahead for a party?
Totally. Make and freeze, then frost the day of for fresh flavor and presentation.
Explore More Delicious Recipes
Conclusion of Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies aren’t just cookies they’re a mood. Soft, frosted, and full of heart, they’re perfect for birthdays, holidays, rainy days, and everything in between. With simple ingredients and a little love, you’ll have a batch of cookies that everyone will remember and request again and again.
Happy cooking with Rita chef ❤️!
Print
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Soft, buttery, and frosted with dreamy pink icing, these cream cheese sugar cookies melt in your mouth. They are perfect for parties, gifting, or simply treating yourself with something irresistibly sweet and comforting.
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
Pink frosting (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place on the baking sheet. Flatten slightly.
Bake 8–10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
Frost with pink icing once fully cooled.
Notes
Room temperature butter and cream cheese ensure better mixing and texture. Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft cookie. You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate or freeze it. Once baked and cooled, the cookies can be frozen with or without frosting. For flavor variations, consider adding almond extract or lemon zest. Sprinkles or colored sugar can also add a decorative touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies, Soft Sugar Cookies, Frosted Sugar Cookies, Easy Sugar Cookies