It’s no surprise that we love sugar cookies; they’re basically considered a food group in the Luna family. We have over a dozen sugar cookie recipes on the site and this cream cheese version is one we go to when we want extra soft cookies.
Today’s cream cheese sugar cookies are not only soft and tender, but they’re chewy with incredible flavor. The kids love to cut out shapes and we all love to take part in decorating! You can even make these cookies several days ahead for easy party prep.
We love to top them with Sugar Cookie Frosting or Royal Icing Recipe and you’re ready to decorate!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Make ahead. Leave the dough chilled in the fridge, or bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container for easy prep!
- Special occasion. Shape and decorate this easy cookie recipe for any and all special occasions and holidays.
- Delicious. The cream cheese and almond extract give these cookies a great flavor and they really hold their shape!
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Ingredients and Substitutions
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened – How to Soften Butter Quickly
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon almond extract – or omit the almond and increase the vanilla to 1½ teaspoons
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk – How to Separate Egg Whites
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour – How to Measure Flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- frosting ideas – Sugar Cookie Frosting, Royal Icing Recipe, or Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
- optional – festive sprinkles
How to Make Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
- DOUGH. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat sugar, butter, and cream cheese until well blended.
- Add almond extract, vanilla extract, and egg yolk, and mix until combined. Add flour and salt. Mix to form a soft dough.
- Shape the dough into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until firm.
- PREP. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.
- ROLL & CUT. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thick. Cut the dough into desired shapes with cookie cutters (or the top of a cup), placing one inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
- BAKE. Bake 8-10 minutes, until light golden brown around the edges. Let cool completely before frosting.
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the sugar, butter, and cream cheese until well blended. Add the almond extract, vanilla extract, and egg yolk, and mix until combined.
- Add the flour and salt, and mix to form a soft dough. Shape the dough into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until firm.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment or silicone liners.
- Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thick. Cut the dough into desired shapes with cookie cutters (or the top of a cup), placing one inch apart on prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake 8-10 minutes, until light golden brown around the edges. Let cool completely before frosting.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Chill the cookie dough in the fridge for 2-3 days. For longer storage, wrap again with foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days. Let the frosting set before stacking and storing frosted cookies.
Store frosted or unfrosted. Wrap them individually, or separate layers with wax paper and store them in a freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months.
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This recipe was originally published November 2020.
I have tried many sugar cookie recipes in past years but this has become our go to recipe for all occasions. I bake the cookies and then my sister, daughter, granddaughter and anyone else that wants to come do the decorating. I also substitute gluten free flour in this recipe and everyone loves them!
These cookies are fantastic – buttery, rich yet light. They kept their shape really well while baking, and I got lots of compliments. Thanks Kristyn!
You’re welcome! So glad the cookies are a hit.
I’ve tried twice to make these but the dough is more of a thick batter than a dough.
Is this dough supposed to be sticky? I’m wondering if the flour amount needs to be increased? I used a scale so I know the amount is correct. Tastes good but the baked cookie seems greasy to touch and too moist. Don’t taste the chewy factor at all.
You could try adding a few tablespoons of flour more if needed. I have also found that if the cream cheese and butter are too soft, the batter is stickier and the cookies turn out oilier. And make sure to chill the dough before rolling out/cutting too. Hopefully that helps a bit!
Why is the dough sticky?
Did you let the dough chill for a few hours? That will help with the flavor and with the stickiness.
Hello can I refrigerate these overnight?
Yes, that would be just fine!
Delicious! It is so good! The dough is easy to work and it holds the shape very well! Thank you for sharing this amazing cookie recipe!
All of your recipes are truly my favorite! When wanting to try something new, I ALWAYS go to your website first to see if you’ve got a recipe. Today my kids and I are making some Halloween cookies and I’m using this recipe for the dough. It’s PERFECT!!! 🙂 forever have this bookmarked in my FAVS!
Can you roll out 3/8” instead of 1/4”?
Yes, you could definitely try! You may need to adjust baking times if the cookies are a bit thicker to make sure they are cooked enough, but still soft. You’ll have to let us know how they turn out. 🙂
Used this recipe for years. Always gets compliments.
Finally got around to making our annual Christmas cutout cookies- this recipe is our favorite! The almond extract in both the cookie and the frosting make them sooo yummy! 😋
I like the sugar cookie recipe with the cream cheese frosting. Thank you so much my twin daughters like these I made them last year, so I will be making g them again for Christmas. Have a blessed Christmas. Tanya Anderson
I chilled my dough overnight, rolled them out, cut them and then baked them and they spread. So on the second batch I cut them out, froze them for 30 minutes and then baked and they spread again. What am I doing wrong? 🙁
I’m sorry to hear your cookies are spreading. There are so many different factors that can play into cookies spreading. Chilling the dough is definitely the right thing to do to prevent that. I’d also suggest making sure you are using either parchment paper or a silicon baking mat. Using quality baking sheets also helps. Another tip is to make sure you are correctly measuring the flour and not over-mixing the dough. I know factors like oven temperatures, altitudes, temperatures of your kitchen, etc. can also play a role in cookies spreading. So it may continue to take a little trial and error. Best of luck!!
I’m excited to try these! Could I bake them in a mold? I have a cookie tray with heart shaped molds that I think would be cool, but I’m not sure how to adjust the recipe or if I would need to.
I haven’t tried baking them in molds, so I can’t say what adjustments would need to be made. Always start with the lowest time, then you can add time.
Best sugar cookie recipe ever!!
Awe, thank you for saying that!
These are fabulous!! Keep their shape,frost well& taste great!!!
Happy you think so 🙂 Thank you!
Super yummy and I think would be great with your flood frosting recipe.
Kid pleaser! I’ve made a lot of sugar cookies and this one is great for cutout designs. Good flavor and perfect to hold the layers of decor the kids add.
These are so soft and delicious!!!
Never did try it with cream cheese gonna definitely have to try this recipe
First sugar cookie recipe I’ve tried with cream cheese – they’re quite tasty and held their shape very well! Requires some planning due to the chill time, but well worth it. Make sure you make extra – we ate quite a few before getting around to frosting them!
This is my favorite sugar cookie recipe by far!
Super yummy and family’s new favorite
We make these every Christmas for are Santa sugar cookies. The kids love them every time!
The cream cheese makes these sugar cookies extra soft and the flavor is AMAZING. The texture is perfect and they really do melt in your mouth!
Making some this weekend! My kids love decorating cookies & your recipe makes the softest cookies!
These are one of our favorite sugar cookie recipes! They are so soft!! Making some this week!
Yippee going to try this one
I hope you like them!! Thank you!
Amazing!!! Best sugar cookies ever.
Awe, that makes me so happy!! Thank you for letting me know what you thought!
Great recipes thanks so much keep posting
Awe, thank you so much for saying that!
I don’t think people realize how time consuming it is to create & maintain a recipe & cooking website/blog. Especially a beautifully detailed & thorough one like yours. You’ve been so helpful & inspiring on numerous occasions & are a gift to many I’m sure. Taking the time to share your talent is very much appreciated! Keep up the hard work Ma’am! Can’t wait to try this recipe with my sweet girl! ❤️🍪❤️
You are so nice!! Thank you so much for saying that!! I can’t wait for you to try the recipe 🙂
These were perfect!!!
I am so glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
It would be nice if you had put in a list of how much of each ingredient to use.
A poor recipe indeed.
They are all there in the recipe box 🙂
Thanks for the clarification 😉
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter softened
3 ounces cream cheese softened
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt….. Everything is there & I just made them!
Thanks for putting in a list of how much of each ingredient to use AGAIN! Amazing how actually reading a recipe before cooking works out everytime! 😉 Happy Holidays & Happy Baking!
So i never had cream cheese
sugar cookies before so are they good
I love them!! I hope you give them a try 🙂
Hello,
Can I use different flour ( whole wheat or almond)?
Thanks
I personally haven’t tried, but I am sure you could 🙂
Hello there! Could I omit the almond extract (due to kids nuts allergies)? And if I can, do I put in 1 and a half tsp of vanilla extract?
Thanks! I’d really like to try this recipe🤗
MB
You definitely could. I would probably just use 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Enjoy!
What kind of flour all purpose or self rushing. Recipe just says flour. Thank you
I use all-purpose 🙂 Enjoy!!
The most perfect sugar cookie recipe around! Soft and easy to work with.