Blissful Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Soft, buttery sugar cookies melt perfectly with cream cheese frosting that adds a rich, tangy layer of deliciousness.

These homemade sugar cookies promise pure comfort in every single bite.

Baking these treats fills the kitchen with an irresistible sweet aroma that draws everyone closer.

The simple ingredients come together quickly and effortlessly to create something truly special.

Vanilla and butter combine to create a classic cookie base that feels both nostalgic and indulgent.

Each cookie offers a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture topped with a luxurious cream cheese frosting that elevates the entire experience.

Start mixing, baking, and enjoying these delightful cookies that are sure to become a cherished recipe in your collection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 265 kcal

Servings: 13

Soft Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredient Lineup

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create soft, tender cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cookies and contributes to golden, crisp edges.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add moisture for tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness with warm, aromatic flavor.
• Almond Extract: Adds delicate, nutty background note to cookie profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates structural foundation for cookie with perfect tender-crisp balance.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, puffy texture and gentle rise during baking.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor dimensions.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers tangy, velvety base with luxurious mouthfeel.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides smooth, silky consistency and sweet finish.
• Butter: Enriches frosting with creamy depth and stability.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out frosting with classic, comforting essence.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting spreadability for perfect decorating consistency.
• Food Coloring: Optional decorative element for personalized visual appeal.

Tools That Make Soft Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing wet and dry ingredients.
• Electric mixer: Perfect for achieving light, fluffy texture when combining ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients smoothly.
• Plastic wrap: Needed to cover and chill the dough.
• Rolling pin: Helps roll out cookie dough to even thickness.
• Cookie cutters: Used to create fun shapes for the cookies.
• Baking sheets: Provides surface for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without becoming soggy.
• Spatula: Useful for spreading frosting and transferring cookies.

How to Bake Soft Sugar Cookies and Top with Frosting

• Create Cookie Dough

Mix butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Add eggs and vanilla, blending smoothly. Separately combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stopping just as everything combines.

• Refrigerate Dough

Wrap cookie mixture in plastic wrap. Chill in refrigerator for at least one hour to help cookies maintain perfect shape during baking.

• Shape and Prepare

Heat oven to 350F. Dust work surface with flour. Roll dough to quarter-inch thickness. Use fun cookie cutters to create shapes. Place cookies on lined baking sheets, leaving space between each one.

• Bake Cookies

Slide cookies into preheated oven. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges look set but not brown. Let cookies rest on baking sheet briefly before transferring to cooling rack.

• Whip Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, creating creamy texture. Mix in vanilla. Adjust consistency with milk if needed. Optional: Add food coloring for extra flair.

• Decorate Delightfully

Once cookies are completely cool, spread frosting generously. Sprinkle with colorful decorations for a festive touch.

Tips for Decorating Soft Sugar Cookies with Swirls

• Expert Tips and Twists
• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure perfectly shaped cookies. Cold dough creates firmer, more defined edges during baking.
• Never over-mix the dough, as this can lead to tough, dense cookies. Mix ingredients just until they're combined for that signature soft, tender crumb.
• Swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend. Add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to help maintain the cookie's structure and prevent crumbling.
• Replace butter with dairy-free margarine and cream cheese with vegan cream cheese alternatives. Use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk for the frosting.
• Experiment with different extracts like orange, lemon, or coconut to create unique flavor profiles. Add citrus zest or ground spices like cinnamon for an unexpected taste twist.

Serve These Frosted Sugar Cookies with Holiday Flair

• Party Platter Paradise: Arrange these delightful sugar cookies on a festive tiered platter, creating a stunning dessert centerpiece for birthdays, baby showers, or holiday gatherings.
• Flavor Fusion Pairing: Serve alongside a cold glass of milk, creamy hot chocolate, or a light herbal tea to complement the sweet, buttery cookie taste.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies between parchment paper in cute gift boxes or clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons, perfect for homemade edible presents that show personal touch.
• Decorative Theme: Transform cookies into seasonal delights by matching frosting colors and sprinkles to specific celebrations like red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or school colors for graduation parties.

Store Frosted Sugar Cookies Without Smudging the Topping

• Keep frosted cookies in an airtight container layered between parchment paper. They'll stay delicious for 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40°F.
• Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days before baking. Wrap tightly in plastic and store in refrigerator. Raw dough remains fresh and ready for quick baking.
• Unbaked cookie dough can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap securely in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before rolling and baking.
• Unfrosted cookies maintain better texture. Frost just before serving to prevent sogginess. Room temperature cookies taste softer and more delectable when decorated minutes before enjoying.

FAQs

• Why do I need to chill the cookie dough?

Chilling helps prevent spreading during baking and allows the flavors to develop. The cold dough maintains its shape better and creates a more uniform, tender cookie texture.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate the added salt in the recipe. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the salt content and ensures a consistent flavor in your cookies.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for very light golden edges and a set center. The cookies should look slightly underbaked, as they’ll continue cooking on the baking sheet and will firm up as they cool.

• What's the best way to store cream cheese frosting?

Keep the frosted cookies in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If not frosting immediately, store the frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days and bring to room temperature before using.

Heavenly Sugar Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delicate soft sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting offer classic comfort from midwestern kitchens. Sweet layers of nostalgia blend buttery cookie textures with rich, tangy frosting that pulls you back to cherished family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter (for frosting)
• 1 cup unsalted butter (for cake)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for cake)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• sprinkles (optional)
• food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Mix Foundation: Whip butter and sugar until fluffy and pale, blending eggs and vanilla and almond extracts thoroughly to create a smooth base.
2. Create Dough: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt, then delicately incorporate into wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to maintain tender cookie texture.
3. Chill Preparation: Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for one hour to solidify structure and intensify flavor profile.
4. Prepare Workspace: Preheat oven to 350F (175C), line baking sheets with parchment paper, and dust work surface with flour. Roll chilled dough to quarter-inch thickness.
5. Shape and Bake: Cut desired cookie shapes, positioning them on prepared trays with adequate spacing. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges set but not browned, allowing brief cooling on tray before transferring to wire rack.
6. Craft Frosting: Blend cream cheese and butter until silky, gradually introducing powdered sugar to develop creamy consistency. Enhance with vanilla extract and adjust texture with milk, adding optional food coloring for visual interest.
7. Finish Cookies: Once completely cooled, lavishly spread frosting across cookies and decorate with sprinkles as desired.

Notes

Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and ensure cookies maintain their shape during baking.

Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients to prevent tough, dense cookies by maintaining a light, tender texture.

Perfect Rolling Technique: Roll dough to consistent 1/4-inch thickness for even baking and uniform cookie appearance.

Customize Creatively: Experiment with different extract flavors like lemon or orange to personalize the cookie’s taste profile and add unique character.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 265
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg