Cream cheese sugar cookies with buttercream frosting are a delicious treat that's perfect for any occasion. These cookies are soft, rich, and slightly tangy, thanks to the cream cheese, and they pair beautifully with the sweet, creamy buttercream frosting.
Whether you're baking for a holiday, a birthday, or just because, these cookies are easy to make and fun to decorate.
These cream cheese sugar cookies are a great addition to holiday cookie platters. In addition to these delicious cookies, these classic homemade sugar cookies made without cream cheese and these Christmas Cookie Butter Cookies are some of my family's favorite cookies!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Rich Flavor: Cream cheese adds a hint of tanginess to these sugar cookies, making them extra tasty.
- Soft Texture: These cookies bake up soft and chewy, perfect for a sweet treat.
- Simple Ingredients: No need for fancy items-just everyday ingredients are needed to make these easy cut out cookies.
- Valentine's Day Fun: These cookies are perfect for cutting into heart shapes and decorating with frosting and sprinkles.
Ingredients in Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
- unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- cream cheese, room temperature
- 1vanilla extract
- large egg
- all purpose flour, spooned & leveled
- salt
Ingredients in Buttercream Frosting
- powdered sugar
- confectioner's sugar
- vanilla extract
- milk
- salt
How to Make Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
It's easy to make this easy cream cheese sugar cookie recipe.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until well combined.
- Add the cream cheese and beat until the mixture is fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and then beat in the egg.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Gradually stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients at a low speed until a soft dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Divide the sugar cookie dough into two portions, shape each portion into a disc, and flatten it.
- Cover the discs with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to a thickness of ¼ inch and cut out shapes using your desired cookie cutters.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, baking one sheet at a time for 8-10 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Once cooled, decorate each cookie as desired.
How to Make Buttercream Icing for Cookies
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter until it is creamy and smooth, for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and two tablespoons of milk or cream. If the frosting appears too stiff, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you achieve your desired consistency.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and continue beating the frosting for 2 to 3 minutes until it is light and fluffy.
- Divide the frosting into bowls, add a few drops of gel food coloring, and mix until well combined and the desired color is reached.
How to Store Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting
Let your baked cookies cool completely before storing them. This prevents moisture from building up. If your cookies are frosted, wait for the icing to harden, depending on the buttercream thickness, which can take a few hours.
For Short-Term Storage:
- Use an airtight container to keep the cookies chewy.
- If you used cream cheese or buttercream frosting, store the cookies in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
- If you stack the cookies, make sure they are cool, and the icing has hardened. Place the cookies between sheets of parchment paper before storing them.
For Long-Term Storage
- Start with completely cooled cookies. If they have frosting, ensure the icing is hard before stacking and freezing.
- Wrap each cookie in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container.
- If your cookies are frosted, freeze them on a baking sheet first to prevent smudging the icing.
When you want to enjoy a frozen sugar cookie, take it out and let it thaw at room temperature. Freezing cream cheese sugar cookies is a great way to prepare for Christmas and holiday baking!
Valentine's Day Recipes
📖 Recipe
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter - softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 ounces cream cheese - softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter - softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- 1. In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until well combined.
- 2. Add the cream cheese and beat until the mixture is fluffy.
- 3. Mix in the vanilla extract and then beat in the egg.
- 4. In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- 5. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients on low speed until a soft dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- 6. Divide the sugar cookie dough into two portions, shape each portion into a disc, and flatten it.
- 7. Cover the discs with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
- 8. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- 9. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to a thickness of ¼ inch and cut out shapes using your desired cookie cutters.
- 10. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, baking one sheet at a time for 8-10 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
- 11. Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- 12. Once cooled, decorate each cookie as desired.
How to Make Buttercream Icing for Cookies
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter until it is creamy and smooth, for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and two tablespoons of milk or cream. If the frosting appears too stiff, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you achieve your desired consistency.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and continue beating the frosting for 2 to 3 minutes until it is light and fluffy.
- Divide the frosting into bowls, add a few drops of gel food coloring, and mix until well combined and the desired color is reached.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
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Dana is the lead recipe developer and photographer for PopularRecipes.com. With her 10+ years of experience creating, testing, and photographing recipes, she has become an artist in developing wholesome, family-friendly meals that are a hit with both kids and parents.
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