Description
These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies are soft, tender, and packed with warming cinnamon flavor. Cream cheese in the dough gives them a delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the cinnamon-sugar coating adds a perfect sweet-spicy crunch. Perfect for an afternoon treat or holiday cookie platter, these cookies bake up beautifully golden and flavorful in just under half an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy to create a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated, which helps bind the ingredients and enhance flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening, spice, and salt.
- Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well until a soft, pliable dough forms.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the coating that will coat the cookies’ exterior.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball fully in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated evenly, enhancing the cinnamon flavor and providing a slight crunchy texture.
- Arrange and Flatten: Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Gently press each ball down slightly to flatten.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops turn lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through but still soft inside.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are fully softened for easy creaming and a smoother dough.
- Do not overbake; cookies will firm up as they cool and should remain soft in the center.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To add extra texture, consider mixing in chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the dough.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives.
