Description
Delightfully soft and tender Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies with a subtle tang from cream cheese and a sweet cinnamon sugar coating. These cookies have a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a perfect balance of cinnamon sweetness, ideal for holiday treats or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until fully incorporated. Add in the egg, baking powder, vanilla extract, and kosher salt; mix well to combine all ingredients. Stir in the all-purpose flour gradually until a soft and smooth dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl containing the dough with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. This chilling step firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and shape later.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate even baking.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon thoroughly. This mixture will be used to coat the cookie dough balls before baking.
- Shape & Coat: Using about 2 teaspoons of the chilled dough, roll it between your palms to form smooth balls. Roll each dough ball generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture ensuring full coverage. Place the coated balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes. They should be just set and retain a light color to keep the soft, tender texture. Avoid overbaking to maintain their delicate softness.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to firm up slightly, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help them set properly while retaining their softness.
Notes
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent spreading and to achieve the perfect soft texture.
- The cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- For extra flavor, use vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract.
- Do not overbake; cookies should remain light in color to keep their softness.
