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Decadent cream cheese cookies on a cooling rack, showcasing their soft texture.

Cream Cheese Cookies

Tender and slightly cakey cookies made with cream cheese, perfect for any occasion. They stay soft for days and are quick to prepare.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Ingredients
  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened Full-fat for best texture
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour For gluten-free, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup honey-walnut filling or chocolate filling (optional) About 1/2 cup, optional filling

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
  3. Add the granulated sugar and vanilla. Beat until the mixture looks lighter and slightly fluffy — about 1–2 minutes.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low just until a soft dough forms.
  6. If using, gently fold in the honey-walnut or chocolate filling so it’s distributed but the dough remains pillowy.
  7. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Baking
  1. Bake for 12–15 minutes, watching for the edges to just begin turning golden.
  2. Let cookies rest on the sheet for 3–5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For a tangier bite, mix cream cheese with 2–3 tablespoons sour cream. To reduce sweetness, decrease sugar to 3/4 cup and dust with powdered sugar after cooling.