If you’re searching for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie that tastes just as amazing as it looks, Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies will absolutely win your heart. This simple yet special recipe transforms humble pantry ingredients into dreamy cookies with just the right balance of softness, buttery flavor, and a hint of tang. The magic touch of cream cheese guarantees a dough that’s sturdy enough for festive shapes, yet so pillowy and rich you’ll want to nibble them plain—or pile them high with your favorite icing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s gather our baking essentials! Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies don’t need fancy ingredients, but what you choose (and how you use them) can make all the difference between ordinary and unforgettable. Every item plays a unique starring role in flavor, texture, or appearance.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, providing just the right structure for rolling, cutting, and baking into thick, soft shapes.
- Baking powder: Gives a subtle lift, keeping the cookies tender and preventing a dense crumb.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances out the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Provides a classic rich cookie base and ensures every bite is buttery and decadent.
- Cream cheese (softened): The secret to incredible texture—its tang and creaminess keep the cookies soft, with a delicate melt-in-your-mouth finish.
- Granulated sugar: Gives that signature sweetness and helps create a light, airy crumb during creaming.
- Large egg: Binds the dough together and adds a touch of richness.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the cookies with sweet, floral notes—absolutely essential for classic sugar cookie flavor.
- Almond extract (optional): For a sophisticated, bakery-style aroma that takes the flavor to another level (a little goes a long way!).
How to Make Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. This little step prevents lumps and ensures every cookie will rise and brown evenly. It’s a quick moment that sets the foundation for the best Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies!
Step 2: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter together with the cream cheese until the texture is smooth and irresistibly creamy. This creamy duo is key for tender, flavorful cookies that hold their shape beautifully when cut.
Step 3: Add Sugar and Beat Until Fluffy
Pour in the granulated sugar and beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This aerates the dough, ensuring your Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies come out extra soft and delicate.
Step 4: Mix in Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re using it) until everything is blended and silky. This is your chance to infuse every crumb with rich, fragrant flavor.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so stop as soon as everything is combined.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least two hours. Chilling is non-negotiable: it makes the dough easier to roll, helps shape retention, and lets all those flavors deepen.
Step 7: Roll and Cut
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc at a time to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out your favorite shapes and transfer them to the baking sheets—with a little space in between each cookie.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, keeping a close eye for just-barely golden edges. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. Now you’re ready for decorating—or sneaking a little sample!
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
These cookies beg for a creative flourish—spread with royal icing, pipe on simple buttercream, or scatter with colorful sprinkles while the icing is wet. Edible glitter turns them magical for the holidays, and a dusting of powdered sugar adds old-fashioned charm.
Side Dishes
Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies are practically perfect on their own, but they’re dreamy alongside a glass of cold milk, a cup of tea, or coffee for grownups. For a cookie platter, pair them with chocolate-dipped treats and fruit for a playful dessert spread at parties or family gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
For gift-giving, stack the cookies in a cellophane bag tied with a bright ribbon, or nestle in a pretty tin layered with parchment. If you’re hosting, arrange them by color or theme and serve on a rustic wooden board. You can even set up a “decorate your own cookie” station—which kids and adults both adore!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies soft and fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer with parchment paper if you’ve decorated them. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 5 days—if they last that long!
Freezing
This dough is freezer-friendly, making it easy to prep ahead for holidays or parties. Wrap shaped (unbaked) cookies tightly and freeze for up to 1 month, or freeze baked cookies the same way. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving or finishing with icing.
Reheating
If you want to recapture that fresh-baked magic, warm the cookies briefly (5–10 seconds) in the microwave, or pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a minute or two. This softens them and brings back their just-baked aroma.
FAQs
Why does the dough need to be chilled before rolling?
Chilling prevents sticky dough and helps the cookies hold their shapes during baking, resulting in clean, crisp edges. It also enhances their flavor, making these Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies truly irresistible.
Can I make Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies without almond extract?
Yes, the almond extract is completely optional! While it adds a lovely depth, the cookies are delicious with just vanilla—classic, simple, and crowd-pleasing.
Is it possible to use low-fat cream cheese in these cookies?
For best texture and flavor, stick with full-fat cream cheese. Low-fat versions have more moisture, which can make the dough too sticky and affect the results.
Can I prepare this dough in advance?
Absolutely! Prepare the dough and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage. Cold dough also means less fuss when you’re ready to roll, cut, and bake.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Ensure your dough is well chilled, don’t overwork it when rolling out, and bake on cool sheets. These steps guarantee your Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies retain their adorable shapes.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly joyful about rolling, cutting, and decorating your own batch of Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies—no matter the occasion. Each cookie is a little masterpiece, brimming with flavor, and just waiting to bring a smile to your face. If you’ve never made them before, now’s the moment to treat yourself and your loved ones. Happy baking!
Print
Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 2 hours chill time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 30 to 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these soft and flavorful Cream Cheese Cut Sugar Cookies that are perfect for any occasion. The addition of cream cheese gives these cookies a rich and tender texture that pairs beautifully with your favorite frosting.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, beat until fluffy. Mix in egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Gradually add dry ingredients, mix until dough forms.
- Chill Dough: Divide dough, refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375°F, roll out dough, cut shapes, bake for 8-10 minutes.
Notes
- For easy decorating, top with royal icing or your favorite frosting once cookies are completely cooled.
- Dough can be made ahead and chilled for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
