Description
These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are soft, tender, and flavorful with a subtle hint of cream cheese that adds a delightful richness. Perfectly balanced with vanilla and almond extracts, these cookies are easy to make and ideal for decorating or enjoying plain. With a simple dough that chills to firm up and bakes to golden perfection, they make a wonderful treat for any occasion.
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 Ingredients: Using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Flavorings: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until fully incorporated, blending the flavors evenly throughout the wet mixture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until a dough forms to avoid overworking the gluten.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough for easier rolling and cutting.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Roll and Cut: On a floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.
- Arrange Cookies: Place the cut-out cookies approximately 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden, indicating they are done without overbaking.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate and Serve: Once cooled, optionally decorate the cookies with icing or enjoy them plain as a soft, flavorful treat.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent too much spreading during baking and helps develop the flavor.
- For almond flavor, the almond extract is optional but recommended for added depth.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze the dough for up to 3 months.
- These cookies can be decorated with royal icing, buttercream, or enjoyed simple to highlight their creamy flavor.
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for smooth creaming.
