Description
Homemade cinnamon cream cheese cookies blend creamy richness with warm spice. Rich Pennsylvania Dutch traditions inspire these sweet treats that invite bakers to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 grams) granulated sugar
- 4 oz (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar (for topping)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for topping)
Instructions
- Cream Preparation: Whip softened butter and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy, creating a luxurious base for the cookies.
- Sweetening and Binding: Vigorously blend sugar into the mixture until light and fluffy. Integrate egg and vanilla extract, ensuring a uniform consistency that binds all ingredients together.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon in a separate bowl, whisking to eliminate any potential lumps and distribute spices evenly.
- Dough Formation: Gently combine dry ingredients with the wet mixture, stirring until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Avoid excessive mixing to preserve the cookies’ tender texture.
- Chilling Phase: Encase dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
- Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
- Coating and Shaping: Roll chilled dough into tablespoon-sized spheres, generously coating each in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to create a tantalizing exterior.
- Baking Process: Arrange cookie balls on the prepared sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and centers appear set.
- Cooling and Storage: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet briefly to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack. Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container for optimal freshness.
Notes
Soften Butter Properly: Ensure butter is at room temperature, soft enough to indent with a finger but not melting, for optimal cream cheese blending and smooth cookie texture.
Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigeration is crucial – minimum 30 minutes helps prevent cookie spread, concentrates flavors, and creates a more stable dough structure for perfect shape retention.
Measure Cinnamon Carefully: Use fresh ground cinnamon and measure precisely to balance flavor without overwhelming the delicate cream cheese base, preventing bitter or overpowering taste notes.
Avoid Overmixing Technique: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stopping just when combined to maintain tender, light cookie crumb and prevent developing tough, dense texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg