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Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe

4.4 from 110 reviews

Deliciously soft and tender Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies, featuring a rich dough made with cream cheese and butter, lightly flavored with vanilla and almond extracts. These classic sugar cookies are perfectly baked to a golden finish and topped with a smooth, sweet almond-flavored frosting, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup salted butter, room temperature (8 ounces)
  • 8 ounces full fat cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar (300 grams)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 grams)
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (2 grams)
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (455 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder (4 grams)

Frosting

  • 2 cups powdered sugar (260 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons soft butter (28 grams)
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • Milk to desired consistency

Instructions

  1. Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: In the bowl of a stand mixer, blend the room-temperature salted butter and full fat cream cheese using the paddle attachment on low speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  2. Add Sugar, Egg, and Extracts: Add granulated sugar, the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the creamed mixture. Mix again for 1-2 minutes, ensuring the ingredients are well combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
  3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Blend on low speed until the dough comes together, scraping the bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
  4. Chill the Dough: Remove the soft dough from the mixer bowl and flatten it into a disk shape. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for one hour to firm up.
  5. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) to prepare for baking the cookies.
  6. Roll and Cut Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut shapes. Place the cut cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  7. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until they are lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
  8. Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  9. Prepare Frosting: In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, soft butter, almond extract, and enough milk to reach your desired frosting consistency. Add food coloring if desired.
  10. Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly on each cookie. Allow the frosting to set before storing the cookies in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough is essential for easier handling and better cookie shape retention while baking.
  • Be sure to roll the dough to a uniform 1/4 inch thickness for consistent baking.
  • Cookies should be lightly golden at the edges when done—avoid overbaking to keep them soft and tender.
  • For a different flavor profile, substitute almond extract with additional vanilla extract or lemon zest.
  • If you want a thicker frosting, reduce the amount of milk added; add milk gradually to reach the perfect spreadable consistency.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: cream cheese sugar cookies, soft sugar cookies, cream cheese cookies, sugar cookies recipe, almond extract cookies, frosted sugar cookies