If you’re looking for a deliciously sweet and simple cookie with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, then these Cream Cheese Cookies are perfect for you. These cookies take your basic baking ingredients and elevate them to a whole new level by adding cream cheese. The result? A soft and nearly creamy cookie that’s sure to be a hit no matter the occasion.

As someone who prefers easy drop cookies over the time-consuming cut-out and rolled cookies, these Cream Cheese Cookies are my go-to. While there is a chilling step involved in the process, it’s only for an hour. Once the dough is firm, all you have to do is roll it into small balls and gently press them down on a cookie sheet. It’s so much simpler than searching for a rolling pin and cookie cutters.

The dough itself is simple and straightforward. Just cream together butter and cream cheese, then add granulated sugar, an egg, vanilla extract, baking powder, flour, and a pinch of salt. You don’t need any fancy techniques or multiple bowls – just one bowl is all you need to create this elevated cookie dough with the addition of cream cheese.

The cream cheese gives these cookies a soft and cloud-like texture. They’re not chewy or crispy like other cookies. Instead, they are gentle, snowy, and sweet. With both butter and cream cheese, these cookies have a buttery flavor that’s perfectly balanced – not too rich or overpowering. They’re not loaded with nuts, baking chips, or fruit – just simple and delicious.

Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

• Yield: 20 cookies
• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 10 minutes
• Inactive Time: 1 hour
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese using an electric mixer.
3. Add the granulated sugar and beat for 1 minute. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
4. In three additions, add the baking powder, flour, and salt to the mixture and mix until everything is well combined.
5. Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
6. Once the dough is chilled, dust your hands with flour and roll the dough into balls, about 1-2 inches in size.
7. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, keeping them 2 inches apart, and gently flatten them with your fingers.
8. Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes. The top should remain pale while the bottoms turn golden.
9. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool, then dust them with powdered sugar before serving.

Enjoy these delightful Cream Cheese Cookies, adapted from Eat Well 101. They’re the perfect treat to savor any time, anywhere.