Cream Cheese Cookies: Soft, Buttery, and Delicious
Looking for a melt-in-your-mouth cookie that’s both easy to make and irresistibly soft? These Cream Cheese Cookies are a perfect blend of buttery richness and light, fluffy texture, thanks to the addition of cream cheese in the dough. With a hint of vanilla and almond extract, these cookies have a delicate flavor that pairs beautifully with your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or as a sweet snack anytime.
The recipe is simple and the result is a batch of soft, pillowy cookies that everyone will love. Let’s dive into the details!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 3/4 cups cake flour
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Sheet
Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper and setting it aside. This will ensure your cookies bake evenly without sticking to the pan.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and cream cheese. Beat until smooth and well combined, ensuring there are no lumps.
Step 3: Add Sugar and Egg
Add the granulated sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture. Beat for about 1 minute, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Then, add the egg and mix until it is fully incorporated.
Step 4: Add Extracts
Mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract, blending them into the dough for a lovely, subtle flavor.
Step 5: Add Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the baking powder and cake flour to the wet mixture in three sections. Mix on low speed just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this could affect the softness of the cookies.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps firm it up, making it easier to shape and ensuring that the cookies hold their form during baking.
Step 7: Preheat the Oven
While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 8: Form the Cookies
Once the dough has chilled, flour your hands and roll the dough into 1-2 inch balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one. To flatten the dough balls, use the bottom of a glass or cup dipped in flour. Gently press down, but be careful not to flatten them too much as the cookies will puff up during baking.
Step 9: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, keeping a close eye on them. The cookies are ready when the underside edges start to turn golden. Since baking times may vary depending on your oven, check them early to avoid overbaking.
Step 10: Cool and Serve
After removing the cookies from the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, enjoy these soft, buttery cream cheese cookies with your favorite beverage!
Recipe Summary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 9-11 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 110 kcal per cookie
Tips for Success
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature. This will help ensure a smooth, lump-free dough.
- Chilling the Dough: Don’t skip chilling! Chilled dough is easier to work with and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Cake Flour: Using cake flour gives the cookies a light, delicate texture. If you don’t have cake flour, you can substitute all-purpose flour, but the cookies may be slightly denser.
Final Thoughts
These Cream Cheese Cookies are wonderfully soft, with a buttery richness that’s balanced by the light tang of cream cheese. The hints of vanilla and almond extract make them extra special, and they’re perfect for any occasion—from afternoon tea to a casual dessert. Simple to make and easy to love, these cookies are sure to be a hit with family and friends.
Print
Cream Cheese Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
Description
These Cream Cheese Cookies are incredibly soft and buttery with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The combination of cream cheese, vanilla, and almond extract gives these cookies a delightful flavor that’s rich yet subtle. Perfect for enjoying with a hot cup of coffee or tea, they have a light, fluffy consistency that will keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 3/4 cup cake flour
Instructions
Prepare the baking sheet:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Cream the butter and cream cheese:
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and well combined.
Add sugar and egg:
Add the granulated sugar to the butter-cream cheese mixture and beat for 1 minute until light and fluffy. Then, add the egg and mix until combined.
Add extracts:
Mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract until fully incorporated.
Add dry ingredients:
Slowly add the baking powder and cake flour in three sections, mixing until the dough comes together.
Chill the dough:
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to firm up.
Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Form the cookies:
Flour your hands and roll the dough into 1-2 inch balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Using the bottom of a cup or glass dipped in flour, gently flatten the dough balls. Be careful not to flatten them too much, as they need to puff up during baking.
Bake the cookies:
Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes. Keep a close eye on them and pull them out of the oven as soon as the underside edges start to turn golden. Baking times may vary depending on your oven and altitude, so watch carefully!
Cool and serve:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these soft and buttery cream cheese cookies with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9-11 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 110