These Cream Cheese Cookies are tender, buttery, and delightfully creamy. They have the melt-in-your-mouth texture of a perfectly whipped shortbread but gain a pleasant tang from the cream cheese that sets them apart.
This recipe yields a large batch — up to five dozen cookies — making it ideal for holiday cookie exchanges, gifting, or filling a dessert table. They freeze well, so you can make them ahead and enjoy a little post-holiday treat whenever you like.
For a festive touch, decorate with colored frosting or let kids help with sprinkles before baking. If you prefer to keep things simple, a few red or green nonpareils add holiday charm without extra effort.
Lightly sweet with a balanced tang, these cookies are irresistible and tend to disappear quickly. Because they are not overly sweet, you can enjoy a few without feeling weighed down.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Balanced sweetness with a pleasant tang from cream cheese.
- Simple to prepare with straightforward steps.
- Makes a large batch — great for gifting or parties.
- Versatile: dress them up with frosting, chocolate, or sprinkles.
- Freezes well for easy make-ahead options.
Ingredients
The printable recipe card with exact measurements and instructions is included below.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and creates a soft, tender crumb.
- Cream cheese: The main flavor component; provides creaminess and tang.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the dough with a warm, sweet aroma.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps lightly brown the cookies.
- Egg yolks: Contribute richness and structure for a tender texture.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base and structure of the dough.
- Baking powder: Adds a gentle lift so the cookies stay slightly puffy and soft.
How to Make Cream Cheese Cookies
Follow these concise steps to prepare the cookies:
- Step One: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step Two: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth using an electric mixer.
- Step Three: Add the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolks. Beat until combined and smooth.
- Step Four: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Step Five: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Step Six: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Step Seven: Bake for about 13 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
- Step Eight: Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool before serving.
What to Serve with Them
- Coffee or espresso-based drinks
- Hot chocolate or spiced cocoa
- Milkshakes or flavored milk (vanilla, cinnamon, or coffee flavors)
- Tea—black, chai, or a citrus herbal blend
Variations and Substitutions
- Mini chocolate chips: Fold in for a chocolatey touch.
- Lemon: Add lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon for a bright, citrus flavor.
- Red velvet: Stir in a little cocoa and red food coloring for a festive red velvet variation.
- Oreo pieces: Gently fold in crushed Oreos for a cookies-and-cream twist.
- Finish options: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle melted chocolate instead of frosting.
- Lower-fat option: Use low-fat cream cheese for fewer calories, though full-fat yields the creamiest result.
- Seasonal twists: Add orange zest, cinnamon, or holiday spice for seasonal flavor.
Storage Instructions
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days. If you add a perishable frosting, refrigerate them. Bring chilled cookies to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Can I Freeze?
Yes. Place cookies in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or let come to room temperature before serving.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Measure flour correctly: Use the spoon-and-level method or a kitchen scale to avoid dense cookies.
- Avoid overmixing: Mix until ingredients are just combined to keep the cookies light and tender.
- Uniform portions: Scoop or weigh dough to create evenly sized cookies for consistent baking.
- Watch the edges: Cookies are done when the edges turn a light golden color.
- Use parchment paper: Prevents sticking and helps control spreading for evenly shaped cookies.
Cookie Recipes
- Fudge Cookies
- Whipped Shortbread Cookies
- Thumbprint Cookies
- Cinnamon Roll Cookies
- Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
- Sweetened Condensed Milk Cookies
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Share your thoughts and photos on your favorite social platform.
Cream Cheese Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 package cream cheese 8 oz / 250 g, softened
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp baking powder
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla and egg yolks; beat until combined.
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Whisk together salt, flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
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Drop tablespoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 13 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool on a rack.
Nutrition
| Calories: 124 kcal
| Carbs: 13 g
| Protein: 1 g
| Fat: 8 g
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