Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies: Soft, Sweet, and Perfect for Decorating

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic sugar cookie, offering a soft, tender texture and a rich flavor that’s sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. These cookies are perfect for holidays, special occasions, or just a sweet treat to enjoy with your family. With their slightly tangy taste from the cream cheese and a hint of almond and vanilla, they are delicious on their own or decorated with your favorite icing.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cans store-bought frosting or homemade icing (for decorating)

Directions

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
   • Add the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Continue beating until fully incorporated.
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, about ½ cup at a time, beating each addition just until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl before adding more flour to ensure a smooth dough.
   • Divide the dough into two equal pieces and shape each piece into a disk. Wrap the disks in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the dough to firm up.
2. Bake the Cookies:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
   • Remove one of the dough disks from the refrigerator and place it on a lightly floured surface. Let it warm up for about 5 minutes to make it easier to roll out.
   • Roll the dough to a thickness of ½ inch. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
   • Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or just until the edges are set and the cookies are puffed. Be careful not to overbake them to keep the cookies soft.
   • Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before decorating.
3. Prepare the Icing:
   • For an easy icing using store-bought canned frosting, remove the foil seal from the can, microwave the frosting for 30 seconds, and stir. Continue microwaving in 15-second increments, stirring after each, until the frosting is pourable but not too runny.
   • Allow the icing to cool slightly before using it to decorate the cookies. For outlining the cookies, keep the icing slightly thick. For flooding, heat the icing until it’s smooth and pourable.
   • Decorate the cooled cookies as desired, and let the icing set before serving.

Tips for Success

• Chill the dough: Don’t skip the overnight chilling step. It helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll and cut without sticking.
• Avoid overbaking: These cookies should be soft, so bake just until the edges are set. The centers may look slightly underdone when you take them out, but they will firm up as they cool.
• Customize your icing: If you prefer homemade icing, feel free to use your favorite recipe. You can also add food coloring to create festive designs.

Nutritional Information

• Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus overnight chilling)
• Cooking Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes (plus overnight chilling)
• Calories: 180 kcal per cookie
• Servings: 24 cookies

These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are a must-try for anyone who loves baking. The combination of butter and cream cheese creates a cookie that is both flavorful and soft, perfect for decorating with icing or enjoying plain. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a special event, or just because, these cookies will be a hit with everyone who tries them. Enjoy the process of making and decorating these delightful treats!