Key takeaways
- Texture secret: equal parts butter and cream cheese create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
- Minimal flour: this dough uses the bare minimum to hold together — chill first and expect a slightly sticky dough.
- Fast to make: most of the work is mixing and chilling; bake for about 10 minutes at 375°F.
- Flexible finishes: dust with powdered sugar, drizzle a thin glaze, or add zest for a bright twist.
These cream cheese cookies are a brilliant example of how a few simple ingredients and a little technique turn into something irresistible. The combination of butter and cream cheese yields a light, tender cookie with a subtle tang. Perfect for casual baking, gifting, or a quick treat that feels special. Whether focusing on cooking, recipes, bon apetit or simply craving a soft cookie, this recipe delivers.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (210 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Optional: powdered sugar, thin glaze, citrus zest, or chocolate for finishing
Equipment
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment or hand mixer
- Mixing bowls and a whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheets lined with parchment
- Scoop or tablespoon for portioning
Step-by-step method
1. Mix dry ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed. Set aside.
2. Cream butter and cream cheese
In the mixer, beat the room-temperature butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. If either is too cold, soften gently in the microwave at 50% power in 10-second bursts to avoid melting.
3. Add sugar, egg, and vanilla
Add the granulated sugar and beat on medium-high until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Scrape the bowl, then add the egg and vanilla and mix until incorporated. The mixture should look airy and frothy.
4. Combine with dry ingredients
With the mixer on the lowest speed, add the dry ingredients and mix until nearly combined. Finish folding by hand with a spatula to avoid overmixing. Overmixing ruins the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
5. Chill
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least one hour. The dough can be made the day before and chilled overnight.
6. Portion and shape
Scoop roughly 2-tablespoon portions of dough. The dough can be slightly sticky because it uses just enough flour to hold together. Wet clean hands lightly to roll each portion into a ball, then space them about 2 inches apart on parchment-lined sheets.
7. Bake
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake one sheet at a time for about 10 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Start checking around 8 minutes if the oven runs hot. Let cookies cool on the sheet a few minutes before transferring to a rack.
Tips for success
- Room temperature is key: butter, cream cheese, and egg should be soft so they blend without lumps.
- Don’t overmix: stop when the flour is incorporated; overworking develops gluten and ruins the delicate texture.
- Sticky dough hack: dip hands in water for clean shaping and neater cookies.
- Flavor ideas: fold in the zest of one orange or one and a half lemons with the butter for a bright lift.
- Finishes: a light dusting of powdered sugar, a thin vanilla or fruit-glazed drizzle, or a splash of dark rum in the glaze all work beautifully.
Storage and make-ahead
- Store at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 2 days.
- Freeze cooled cookies for up to 2 months, layered between parchment so they don’t stick.
- Dough can be refrigerated overnight before baking for convenience.
Variations and serving ideas
- Citrus cream cheese cookies: add orange or lemon zest to the creamed butter for floral brightness.
- Chocolate kiss: press a small piece of dark or white chocolate into the top after baking for an elegant touch.
- Glazed: whisk powdered sugar with a splash of vanilla, fruit juice, or rum and drizzle thinly over cooled cookies.
These cream cheese cookies are a great example of why simple cooking, recipes, bon apetit can overlap into everyday joy. They are approachable, adaptable, and reliably delicious — a recipe that earns its place in any baker’s rotation.
This article was created from the video Easy Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe with the help of AI.
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