If you’re searching for a melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s both delightfully soft and bursting with warm spice, the Best Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe is here to steal your heart. These cookies combine the creamy tang of cream cheese with the cozy embrace of cinnamon and sugar, making each bite an irresistible dance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon tea or just treating yourself, this recipe effortlessly balances sweetness and spice to create a batch of cookies that disappear fast and leave you dreaming of the next bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, quality ingredients is the secret to these cookies turning out perfectly every time. Each component plays a crucial role in building the cookie’s tender crumb, subtle tang, and that signature cinnamon-sugar crunch coating.
- Unsalted butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Cream cheese: Adds moisture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Powdered sugar: Ensures the dough is smooth and tender with just the right amount of sweetness.
- Egg: Binds everything together and adds structure so the cookies hold their shape.
- Baking powder: Gives a gentle lift, keeping the cookies light and airy.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, sweet aroma that complements the cinnamon.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, providing structure without heaviness.
- Granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon, it creates that irresistible coating that gives the cookies their classic sparkle and spiced finish.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice that delivers that warm, comforting kick everyone loves.
How to Make Best Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
Start by softening the butter and cream cheese until they reach room temperature. Cream them together in a bowl until the mixture becomes silky smooth and no lumps remain. This crucial step ensures your cookies have a tender crumb and that signature softness.
Step 2: Add Powdered Sugar
Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar to the creamed mixture, blending thoroughly each time. This slow incorporation is key to creating a smooth batter that’s perfectly sweet without any graininess.
Step 3: Mix in Wet Ingredients and Leavening
Beat in one egg along with the baking powder, vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt. These add flavor complexity and help the cookies rise just enough to stay soft but still hold their shape.
Step 4: Incorporate Flour and Chill
Slowly fold in the all-purpose flour until the dough comes together into a soft, workable texture. Cover and chill the dough for at least one hour; this resting period is essential to making the dough easier to shape and producing those tender, luscious cookies.
Step 5: Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and provide even baking.
Step 6: Shape and Coat the Cookies
Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, then roll each dough ball thoroughly in this cinnamon-sugar mixture. This coating lends the cookies their golden, crackly tops and unforgettable flavor.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for 8 to 9 minutes, just until they’re set and the edges have a slight golden glow. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here rewards you with perfectly tender cookies.
How to Serve Best Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies are so charming on their own, but if you want to dress them up, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can add visual appeal and extra sweetness. You could also try a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted pecans for crunch.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cup of hot tea, rich coffee, or even a chilled glass of milk. Their soft, buttery texture and cinnamon warmth complement drinks perfectly, turning any moment into a cozy treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange these cookies on a rustic wooden platter for a casual gathering, or stack them neatly in a clear jar tied with a ribbon for a beautiful gift. You can even sandwich them with a dollop of cinnamon-spiced cream cheese frosting to create an indulgent cookie sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and flavorful for up to 4 days, making them perfect for enjoying over several treats-filled afternoons.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, the dough can be frozen tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough overnight in the fridge before rolling and coating as usual.
Reheating
You can revive the cookies’ fresh-baked warmth by warming them for 10 seconds in the microwave or popping them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This little trick brings out the cream cheese’s softness and the cinnamon aroma beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?
While low-fat cream cheese might work, it could affect the cookie’s richness and tender texture. Full-fat cream cheese gives the best flavor and softness in the Best Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe.
What if I don’t have parchment paper?
You can lightly grease your baking sheet instead, but parchment paper ensures even baking and prevents sticking, helping your cookies keep their perfect shape and texture.
Can I substitute ground cinnamon with another spice?
While cinnamon is essential for this recipe’s distinctive flavor, you could experiment with nutmeg or a pumpkin pie spice blend for a different twist. Just keep in mind it won’t be the same signature cookie you’re aiming for!
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The cookies should be just set with edges slightly golden but still soft in the center. They will firm up a bit as they cool but shouldn’t look overly browned or crisp.
Is this cookie dough safe to eat raw?
This recipe contains raw egg, so it’s best to avoid eating the dough raw or use pasteurized eggs to ensure safety. Baking fully eliminates any concerns.
Final Thoughts
Making the Best Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe is like inviting a warm hug into your kitchen. From the first creamy blend to the last cinnamon-sugar-coated bite, this recipe shines with comfort and simple elegance. I can’t recommend enough rolling up your sleeves to try these—soon, they’ll be your go-to cookie for every season and every reason.
Print
Best Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Best Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies are soft, tender, and bursting with a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. Cream cheese and butter form a rich, creamy base that creates melt-in-your-mouth cookies perfect for any occasion. Easy to make and quick to bake, they’re a delightful treat with a perfect balance of sweetness and warm spice.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture, mixing continuously until the sugar is fully incorporated and the mixture is well combined.
- Mix in Wet Ingredients and Leavening: Add the egg, baking powder, vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt to the mixture, stirring thoroughly until the batter is smooth and all ingredients are well blended.
- Add Flour and Chill Dough: Slowly add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to form a soft dough. Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up for easier handling.
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Shape and Coat Dough Balls: Remove the chilled dough and roll it into 1-inch diameter balls. Combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a bowl, then roll each dough ball in this cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat thoroughly.
- Bake Cookies: Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes or until the cookies are just set and slightly firm around the edges.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets briefly, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents sogginess.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for easier shaping and better texture.
- Do not overbake; the cookies should be soft and slightly tender.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon-sugar coating mixture.
