Description
These Easy Cream Cheese Cookies are soft, tender, and bursting with rich cream cheese flavor. Perfect for a simple dessert or holiday treat, they combine creamy butter and cream cheese with classic sugar cookie ingredients for a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar using a hand or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and smooth, ensuring an even batter.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to distribute the leavening agent evenly.
- Mix dry into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together without overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Shape cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional dusting: Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar if desired for a festive touch.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add lemon zest or almond extract to the dough to enhance the taste profile.
- These cookies freeze well; store them in an airtight container to maintain softness.
- Avoid overbaking to keep the cookie centers tender and moist.
