Description
These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are tender, buttery, and slightly tangy sugar cookies perfect for any occasion. The addition of cream cheese in the dough gives the cookies a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a subtle richness that sets them apart from traditional sugar cookies. They are easy to make, chilled for enhanced flavor and rolled out to cut into festive shapes, then baked to a delicate golden finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, beat together the white sugar, softened butter, and cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Add Flavorings: Mix in the egg yolk, salt, almond extract, and vanilla extract until they are fully combined into the creamy mixture.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until a cohesive dough forms without overworking it.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough evenly into thirds, shape each into a flat disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up for easier rolling.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Surface: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour a clean surface to prevent sticking.
- Roll and Cut Shapes: Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator, roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness, then use cookie cutters to cut into your desired shapes. Place the cut cookies onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn a light golden color.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or decorating.
Notes
- For best results, do not skip chilling the dough as it improves the texture and flavor.
- Use cookie cutters dipped in flour to prevent sticking when cutting out shapes.
- Cookies can be decorated with icing or sprinkles once completely cooled.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
