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Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.4 from 10 reviews

These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are the ultimate Christmas treat with a soft, buttery texture and a perfect shape hold. The dough chills to develop flavor and ease handling, then bakes to tender, thick cookies with just the right amount of softness. Finished with a creamy, smooth cream cheese buttercream frosting that dries firm, these cookies are perfect for stacking and gifting during the holidays.

  • Author: Zara
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes per batch
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: About 26 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

  • 1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 6 oz (170g) full fat cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 3 1/2 cups (450g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for dusting

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 cup (112g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 oz full fat cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 cups (220g) powdered sugar, spooned and leveled
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring (optional)
  • Sprinkles, for decorating

Instructions

  1. Mix Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed to beat the butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl.
  2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. Scrape down the bowl again.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the kosher salt, baking powder, and cream of tartar until combined. Then gradually mix in the flour. When the dough becomes very thick and sticky and the mixer struggles, remove the bowl and finish combining the dough with a rubber spatula, using some elbow grease to ensure all flour is incorporated.
  4. Chill the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap lightly dusted with flour. Flour your hands and pat the dough into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Wrap tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
  5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  6. Roll and Cut Cookies: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness for nice, thick cookies. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Store any leftover cut cookies in the refrigerator until baking.
  7. Bake the Cookies: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, with 9 minutes being ideal, until the cookies look dry on the surface but are just barely cooked in the center.
  8. Cool the Cookies: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for about a minute before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat rolling, cutting, and baking with remaining dough.
  9. Prepare Frosting: In a clean large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese with a hand or stand mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar one cup at a time, then add vanilla extract and mix until thick and creamy. Add a few drops of gel food coloring if desired.
  10. Decorate Cookies: Spread frosting on cooled cookies and immediately add sprinkles. Work one cookie at a time since frosting thickens quickly and sprinkles stick best right after frosting.
  11. Serve and Store: Once decorated, the cookies can be enjoyed immediately or stacked and stored for later, as the frosting sets firm.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape while baking and improves flavor.
  • Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for easy mixing and smooth dough.
  • Do not overbake; cookies should look set but still slightly soft in the center for the best texture.
  • Frosting dries firm, so cookies can be stacked and stored in an airtight container.
  • You can prepare the dough the day before and chill overnight for convenience.
  • For best results, flour surfaces and hands generously to prevent sticking during rolling and shaping.

Find it online: https://zaracooking.com/cream-cheese-sugar-cookies-recipe/