If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s soft, buttery, and warming with just the right touch of spice, this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe will quickly become your new favorite. The magic of cream cheese blended into the dough creates a delightfully tender and slightly tangy cookie that melts in your mouth, perfectly paired with a cozy cup of coffee or tea. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just craving a comforting treat, these cookies hit all the right notes with their golden cinnamon sugar crust and soft centers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, quality ingredients is key to baking these irresistible cookies. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture — from the creamy richness of cream cheese to the warm spice that cinnamon brings.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Provides a rich, creamy base that keeps the cookies wonderfully tender.
- Cream cheese (115g, softened): Adds moisture and a subtle tang to make these cookies uniquely soft and delicious.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the dough while helping achieve a light texture.
- Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the cookie’s structure.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Elevates the overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.
- All-purpose flour (2½ cups): The foundation for these cookies, providing structure and softness.
- Ground cinnamon (1½ teaspoons): The star spice that infuses the dough with comforting warmth.
- Baking powder (½ teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise slightly, keeping them light and airy.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all flavors.
- Cinnamon sugar (¼ cup, for rolling): Creates a sweet, crunchy coating that adds extra cinnamon flavor and a beautiful finish.
How to Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Together the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar
Start by beating the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is fundamental because it incorporates air into your dough, giving the cookies their soft texture and delicate crumb.
Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla Extract
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. These provide essential moisture and ensure your cookies bake up with great flavor.
Step 3: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Combining these before adding them to the wet ingredients ensures an even distribution of spices and leavening agents throughout the dough.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, gently mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as that can make the cookies tough.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This step helps the dough firm up, which makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
Step 6: Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
Step 7: Shape and Coat Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the chilled dough, roll them into balls, and coat each one generously in cinnamon sugar. This coating adds a delightful sugary crunch and amplifies the cinnamon flavor.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair on these already beautiful cookies, try a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. These little touches make the cookies feel extra special, especially for guests or holiday gatherings.
Side Dishes
These cookies are wonderful on their own but also pair beautifully with a steaming mug of chai tea, rich coffee, or hot cocoa. For breakfast or brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit or creamy yogurt to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your cookie platter stand out by arranging the cookies in a circular pattern around a small bowl of cinnamon-spiced cream cheese frosting for dipping. Alternatively, sandwich two cookies together with a cinnamon cream cheese filling between them for an elevated twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and fresh for up to five days — perfect for when you want to nibble throughout the week.
Freezing
If you’d like to keep these cookies longer, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. They keep well for up to three months. You can also freeze the dough balls before baking for convenient, freshly baked cookies anytime.
Reheating
To enjoy your cookies warm, simply microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes. This refreshes their soft texture and enhances the cinnamon aroma.
FAQs
Can I substitute butter with margarine?
While margarine can work in a pinch, using unsalted butter is highly recommended for the best flavor and texture in Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe. Butter’s rich taste and fat content are key to that tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Is cream cheese necessary in this recipe?
Cream cheese is what sets this cookie apart from traditional cinnamon cookies by adding moisture and a slight tang. Omitting it will change the softness and flavor profile significantly.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
With some ingredient swaps, such as vegan butter and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative, you can enjoy a vegan version. Just make sure to use a flax or chia egg substitute for binding.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough thoroughly before baking helps the cookies maintain their shape. Also, avoid using melted butter, and measure your flour accurately to prevent excess spreading.
Can I add other spices to the recipe?
Absolutely! Adding a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or even cardamom can enhance the warm flavor of these cookies and add a personalized touch to every batch.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe enough. It’s a truly comforting treat that combines familiar cozy flavors with the richness of cream cheese to create something perfectly soft and delightfully spiced. Whether for sharing with loved ones or savoring on your own, these cookies are sure to become a beloved classic in your baking repertoire. So go ahead, try the recipe, and enjoy every warm, cinnamon-scented bite!
Print
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies are soft, buttery, and delicately spiced with warm cinnamon. The addition of cream cheese gives these cookies a tender texture and subtle tang, making them irresistibly rich and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, they’re ideal for holiday baking or any time you crave a cozy treat.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 115g cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Rolling
- ¼ cup cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Cream Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture by mixing thoroughly until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agent.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until a soft and cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up and enhance flavors.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Then roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar to coat thoroughly.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are set and centers remain slightly soft.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving their tenderness.
Notes
- For an extra warm spice note, add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the dry ingredient mix.
- These cookies freeze well; store them in an airtight container to maintain softness for several days.
