Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies 🍪💚💖

Introduction

These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and have a slight tang from the cream cheese, making them even more irresistible than traditional sugar cookies. They hold their shape beautifully when baked, making them perfect for decorating with icing or sprinkles for holidays and celebrations. Whether you enjoy them plain, dusted with sugar, or fully decorated, these cookies are a must-have for your baking collection!

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 🧈
• 3 oz cream cheese, softened 🧀
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg 🥚
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For Decorating (Optional):

• Sprinkles
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Royal icing or buttercream frosting

Instructions:

1. Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese & Sugar:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together.

3. Chill the Dough:

• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). This helps the cookies keep their shape when baking.

4. Roll & Cut the Cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
3. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.

5. Bake the Cookies:

• Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Decorate & Enjoy!

• Dust with powdered sugar, sprinkle with festive toppings, or frost with royal icing for a fun and colorful finish!

Tips for Success:

• Don’t Skip Chilling the Dough! It prevents spreading and makes rolling easier.
• For Extra Soft Cookies: Slightly underbake them and let them finish setting as they cool.
• Flavor Variations: Add ½ teaspoon almond extract for a subtle, nutty flavor twist.
• Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Why You’ll Love It:

These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are buttery, rich, and perfect for decorating while staying soft for days. Whether you’re making them for the holidays, birthdays, or just a sweet treat, they’re sure to become a favorite in your home!