Description
These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and lightly sweetened with a hint of cream cheese that creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies can be cut into fun shapes and decorated with icing or enjoyed plain. The inclusion of cream cheese adds an extra moistness and richness that distinguishes them from traditional sugar cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cream the Mixture: Using an electric mixer, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step ensures a smooth, creamy base for the cookie dough.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until everything is fully incorporated, creating a smooth batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing as you go, until a soft dough forms without any visible flour.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal discs, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This step helps to firm up the dough and makes it easier to roll out.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow even baking.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each chilled dough disc to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes for your cookies.
- Arrange Cookies: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are about 1 inch apart to allow for slight expansion during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a gentle golden color, signaling they are perfectly baked.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps prevent breakage while still warm.
- Decorate and Serve: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with icing if desired or enjoy them plain as a classic treat.
Notes
- For best results, make sure the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before starting.
- You can substitute almond extract with additional vanilla extract if preferred.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and helps with cutting clean shapes.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze the dough discs wrapped tightly and thaw before rolling and baking.
