How to Make Super Soft + Delicious Cream Cheese Cookies
These cream cheese cookies boast a unique softness and a rich, creamy flavor thanks to the key ingredient—cream cheese. While following the recipe, remember to have your cream cheese and butter at room temperature to ensure a smooth and well-combined dough. When you love classic cookies but want a change of pace, turn to this recipe.
Cream Cheese Cookies
Equipment
- Cookie scoop 2-tablespoon size
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- powdered sugar to dust optional topping
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese, butter, and sugar. With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese, butter, and sugar until everything is well combined.
- Add egg and vanilla. Then beat in the egg and vanilla, scraping the bottom with a spatula to make sure everything is combined..
- Add dry ingredients. Add the flour and baking powder to the wet mixture and stir by hand until you see no more dry ingredients. The dough will be very soft; this is normal.
- Chill. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes as the dough will be very sticky.
- Prep for baking. Preheat your oven to 350℉ and line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape. Using a two tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto your baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, they don’t spread much.
- Bake. Bake for about 12 minutes. Let them sit on the cookie sheet for a minute to make them easier to handle, then transfer them to a wire rack. Once cool, dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
I have to admit, I’m absolutely hooked on these. Every time I whip up a batch, they disappear before I even have a chance to store them! They have just the right balance of sweetness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes them a hit, especially during family gatherings. They’re just that good! I often find myself making an extra batch, just so I have a few to enjoy with my morning coffee.
Trust me, you’ll want to make these more than once!
Key Ingredients and Tools
When you’re getting ready to make these, a few tools and ingredients stand out as particularly important for ensuring the cookies turn out just right. Here’s a closer look at some of them:
Hand Mixer. This tool is crucial for creaming together the cream cheese, butter, and sugar until smooth, which is key to the texture of your cookies.
Cream Cheese. Always opt for full-fat cream cheese to achieve the rich, creamy texture that makes these cookies so delightful. The low-fat version can alter the consistency and flavor of your cookies.
Parchment Paper. Using parchment paper on your cookie sheet ensures that the cookies can be easily removed after baking and helps them cook evenly without sticking.
Cookie Scoop. A consistent size among your cookies not only makes them look professional but also ensures they bake evenly, so none are over or undercooked.
Each of these items plays a pivotal role in the success of your baking, so it’s worth paying attention to them as you prepare. Happy baking, and enjoy the wonderful flavors these cookies bring!
Troubleshooting and Help
It’s best to stick with full-fat cream cheese for this recipe. Low-fat cream cheese can alter the texture and flavor of the cookies, making them less rich and creamy.
No worries! You can use a regular tablespoon to scoop the dough. Just try to keep it as even as possible to ensure all your cookies bake at the same rate.
Absolutely! Once they’re completely cooled, you can freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last for up to a month.
Yes, the dough for these cookies is quite sticky due to the cream cheese. Chilling it as directed helps make it easier to handle when scooping.
The cookies are done when the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. They won’t brown much, so don’t wait for a golden color to tell if they’re ready.
Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need more tips in baking these cookies right!
We’ve covered everything you need to know to make these, from the essential tools and ingredients to tips for ensuring they turn out perfectly every time. Whether you’re looking to add a new recipe to your collection or just want something sweet and satisfying, these cookies are sure to please.
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.