🍪 Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Soft, tender, and lightly crisp around the edges, with a creamy frosting and festive sprinkles.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, as needed
- Red, green, and white sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Make the dough: Beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until the dough comes together—don’t overmix.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized portions and roll gently into balls. Place on the baking sheet and flatten slightly.
- Bake for 9–12 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to turn lightly golden. Don’t overbake—the centers should remain soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until fluffy. Add milk or cream a little at a time until you reach a spreadable consistency.
Spread or pipe frosting onto the cooled cookies and finish with colorful sprinkles. 🎄✨
Tip: The key to that melt-in-your-mouth texture is not overmixing the dough and not overbaking the cookies.