If you’re searching for a delightful treat that brings together tender crumb, buttery richness, and a perfect touch of sweetness without gluten, this Gluten Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. These cookies boast a soft bite thanks to the cream cheese, while the gluten-free flour blend keeps them light and accessible for anyone avoiding gluten. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply in need of a comforting sweet snack, these cookies never disappoint, offering a melt-in-your-mouth experience that feels both indulgent and wholesome.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients come together in this recipe, each playing a vital role to ensure your cookies have the perfect flavor, texture, and color. From the creamy butter and cream cheese to the hints of vanilla and almond, every component is worth having on hand.
- 2 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour: Provides structure and chewiness, make sure it includes xanthan gum or add some for elasticity.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Adds a gentle lift for soft, tender cookies.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened: Delivers richness and a smooth, creamy texture.
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened: The secret ingredient that makes these cookies uniquely soft and luscious.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens while contributing to the perfect cookie spread.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and helps with tenderness.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Adds warm, inviting aroma and depth of flavor.
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon almond extract: For a subtle, nutty twist that complements the cream cheese beautifully.
How to Make Gluten Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). While it’s warming up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and come off the tray easily.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout your flour for consistent flavor and texture.
Step 3: Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is key to creating cookies that are tender but hold their shape well.
Step 4: Mix in the Egg and Extracts
Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and if you’re feeling adventurous, the almond extract. Beat everything together until smooth and fully incorporated, which will add beautiful flavor layers to your cookie dough.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms. If the dough feels a little too soft and sticky to handle, chilling it in the fridge for 30 minutes will make it much easier to work with.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and arrange them on your prepared baking sheets, leaving some space in between. Flatten each ball slightly to help them bake evenly and achieve that classic sugar cookie shape.
Step 7: Bake Until Perfect
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, watching closely as the edges set and the bottoms become a delicate golden color. It’s important not to overbake so these cookies stay soft and tender right through.
Step 8: Cool Before Decorating
Allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents breakage and helps them cool evenly, providing the perfect base for decorating or enjoying as is.
Step 9: Add Your Final Touch
Whether you choose to decorate with colorful icing, sprinkles, or simply enjoy them plain, these cookies are wonderfully interchangeable. Customize as you like to bring your personalized sparkle to your gluten-free sugar cookie experience.
How to Serve Gluten Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little something extra can take these cookies from everyday to spectacular. Consider a dusting of powdered sugar for a delicate finish, a smear of cream cheese frosting for extra indulgence, or rainbow sprinkles for a festive touch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with almost any beverage but shine especially when served alongside a creamy cup of hot cocoa, chilled milk, or a fragrant cup of herbal tea. Experiment to find your favorite pairing!
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gifting, arrange your gluten-free cream cheese sugar cookies recipe on a decorative platter with fresh berries and mint leaves for color contrast. Alternatively, stack them in a pretty box or wrap with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keeping them sealed preserves their softness and flavor, making for easy grab-and-go treats any time.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. This makes it simple to enjoy fresh cookies even weeks after baking.
Reheating
To revive the fresh-baked feel, warm your cookies in a low oven (about 300 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5 minutes or zap them for 10 seconds in the microwave. They’ll come alive with that irresistible soft texture once again.
FAQs
Can I substitute the cream cheese with something else?
While cream cheese is key to the texture and flavor of this recipe, you could try mascarpone or a dairy-free cream cheese alternative if needed, but the texture and taste might vary slightly.
Do I need to add xanthan gum to the gluten-free flour?
If your gluten-free flour blend does not already contain xanthan gum, adding about 1/2 teaspoon will help give the cookies structure and prevent them from crumbling.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
To make these cookies dairy-free, you would need to substitute the butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives, but results may differ in texture and flavor. Experiment and adjust accordingly!
How soft are these cookies compared to traditional sugar cookies?
Thanks to the cream cheese, these cookies are exceptionally soft and tender, even more so than many traditional sugar cookies, with a slight richness that makes them uniquely satisfying.
Is it okay to freeze the cookie dough before baking?
Yes! Freezing the dough in balls on a baking sheet, then transferring to a bag, lets you pull out a few whenever you want fresh cookies. Just bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time.
Final Thoughts
There’s something delightfully comforting about baking a batch of these Gluten Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe. Soft, tender, and perfect for anyone embracing gluten-free baking, these cookies quickly become a household favorite. Ready your oven, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to this little slice of joyful sweetness—you won’t regret it!
Print
Gluten Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Gluten-Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are soft, tender, and deliciously flavorful. Made with cream cheese, butter, and gluten-free flour, they offer a perfect balance of richness and sweetness. Ideal for those avoiding gluten but still craving classic sugar cookies, these treats are easy to prepare and bake. Perfect for holidays, celebrations, or everyday snacking.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum if not included)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening agent evenly through the flour.
- Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is key for a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, mixing until the batter is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. If the dough feels too soft or sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to make it easier to work with.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, place them onto the prepared baking sheets spaced apart, and gently flatten each ball slightly to form cookie shapes.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges are set and the bottoms turn lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake to maintain softness.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breakage.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies as desired with icing, sprinkles, or enjoy them plain for a simple treat.
Notes
- If your gluten-free flour blend does not contain xanthan gum, ensure to add it separately to help bind the dough.
- Chilling the dough is optional but recommended if the dough feels too soft to handle.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For variation, try adding lemon zest or different extracts to customize flavor.
- Do not overbake to keep cookies soft and tender; they continue to set as they cool.
