Description
These cream cheese sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and perfectly tender, making them ideal for cut-out shapes and decorating. Finished with a smooth cream cheese frosting, they’re easy to store, stack, and share—perfect for holidays or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (224 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 6 oz (170 g) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3 1/2 cups (450 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting)
- 2 oz (56 g) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature (for frosting)
- 2 cups (220 g) powdered sugar, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Gel food coloring, optional
- Sprinkles, for decorating
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl.
- Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and combined.
- Mix in salt, baking powder, and cream of tartar until incorporated.
- Gradually add flour. When the dough becomes thick and sticky, finish mixing with a spatula until fully combined.
- Turn dough onto floured plastic wrap, shape into a 1-inch-thick rectangle, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes and place on baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Keep unbaked dough chilled.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes until tops are set and pale. Cool on the sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make frosting: beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla. Add food coloring if using.
- Frost cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles before the frosting sets. Let frosting firm before stacking.
Notes
- Add almond extract or citrus zest to the dough for extra flavor.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant frosting hues.
- Freeze unbaked cut-out cookies and bake from frozen with extra time.
- Cookies are perfect for gifting and hold shape well after baking.
- For a simpler version, sprinkle sugar on the cookies before baking instead of frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (with frosting)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
