Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to two days or frozen for longer storage.

Why did my cookies spread too much?

The butter may have been too soft or the dough may have skipped the chilling step. A short chill helps them hold their shape.

Can I make these without a cookie press?

Absolutely. You can roll the dough into balls and press lightly with a fork or roll out and use cookie cutters.

Can I use low fat cream cheese?

Full fat cream cheese works best because it gives the dough structure and richness. Low fat versions can make the dough too soft.

Can I tint the frosting different colors?

Yes. Use gel food coloring for bright holiday colors that do not thin the frosting.

Cream Cheese Cookies – We Are Recipes

Cream Cheese Cookies

Recipe by Liliya

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Total Time35 minutes
Yield40 cookies 1x
DietVegetarian

These soft and buttery Cream Cheese Cookies melt in your mouth with every bite and bake into the cutest little shapes using a cookie press. The dough whips together in minutes, holds its shape beautifully, and creates a tender cookie that is perfect for decorating with colorful frosting and sprinkles. These cookies are a holiday favorite and a simple, foolproof recipe you will return to every year.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies

½ lb butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
Food coloring (optional)

For the Frosting

3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Food coloring

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Add the softened butter and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. Use a mixer with the whisk attachment to whip until smooth and fluffy.
Add the granulated sugar and vanilla and mix again until creamy.
Slowly add the flour and mix on low until the dough forms. Add food coloring here if you want colored dough.
Chill the dough in the refrigerator for ten minutes.
Heat the oven to 400°F.
Fill a cookie press with the chilled dough and press cookies onto an ungreased baking sheet. Make sure the sheet is completely cool so the dough releases properly.
Bake for four to six minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool fully.
To make the frosting, mix the butter, powdered sugar, milk, and food coloring until smooth.
Frost the cooled cookies and add sprinkles if desired.

Notes

Make sure the butter and cream cheese are fully softened before mixing to create a smooth and fluffy dough.
If the cookie dough is too soft to press, chill it a bit longer until it firms slightly.
Always press the dough onto a cool baking sheet to ensure clean, crisp shapes.
These cookies bake quickly, so keep an eye on them to prevent overbrowning.
Store at room temperature for up to five days or freeze unfrosted cookies for up to two months.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 105 kcal
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 70mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Find it online: https://wearerecipes.com/cream-cheese-cookies/