Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
If you’re searching for impossibly soft, delightfully spiced treats with a touch of tang and a pillowy bite, let me introduce you to my all-time favorite Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies. The subtle warmth of cinnamon mingles with rich cream cheese in every bite, creating cookies that never fail to bring smiles—whether for a cozy weeknight treat or a holiday gathering!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These cookies keep things simple yet magical—each ingredient plays a starring role in building layers of flavor and texture you’ll taste in every cookie. From smooth cream cheese to gentle cinnamon, here’s what you need and why it matters:
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup, softened): Using unsalted butter provides a rich, creamy base and lets you control the cookie’s saltiness.
- Cream Cheese (4 ounces, softened): The secret to that iconic pillowy texture and a subtle tang that sets these cookies apart.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup, plus ¼ cup for rolling): Sweetens the dough, adds lovely texture, and helps cookies achieve a gently crackled exterior when rolled before baking.
- Large Egg: Binds everything together for a classic cookie chew and helps with rise.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and brings warmth to every bite.
- All-Purpose Flour (1¾ cups): The structural backbone; gives cookies their shape while keeping them soft.
- Baking Powder (1 teaspoon): Ensures gentle lift, resulting in cookies that puff up just right.
- Baking Soda (½ teaspoon): Adds tenderness and helps with the golden edges.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Brings out all the other flavors—you’ll notice the difference!
- Ground Cinnamon (1 tablespoon): Delivers that signature cozy warmth, swirling through every bite.
- Granulated Sugar (¼ cup, for rolling): Coats the dough balls before baking to add sparkle and delightful crunch.
How to Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Equipment
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper so nothing sticks later. Setting this up early streamlines the whole process and ensures evenly baked cookies every time.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, cream cheese, and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer for about 2–3 minutes until it’s fluffy, pale, and irresistibly creamy—this is the secret to achieving those signature soft cookies!
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well blended, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl for a uniform, smooth dough. This step adds richness and a hint of aromatic sweetness.
Step 4: Gather and Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and glorious ground cinnamon. Mixing these separately ensures every cookie rises evenly and bursts with spice in each bite.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry
Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft, cohesive dough forms. The dough will be slightly sticky, but don’t worry! This guarantees your Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies finish super tender.
Step 6: Chill Dough
Cover the dough and chill for about 30 minutes. Chilling is key for easier handling and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.
Step 7: Scoop, Roll & Coat
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough, then roll each into a ball. Drop each ball into the remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar and roll to evenly coat. This step creates that crinkly, sugary shell you can’t resist.
Step 8: Bake
Arrange your dough balls on the prepared baking sheets with about 2 inches of breathing room between them. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden but centers still look soft—this is how you get that ultra-soft center.
Step 9: Cool Properly
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set, resulting in Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies with that perfect chewy texture.
How to Serve Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, dust your cookies lightly with extra cinnamon sugar or a whisper of powdered sugar. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of simple vanilla glaze is beautiful and perfectly complements the cinnamon warmth.
Side Dishes
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies pair delightfully with a cold glass of milk, hot coffee, chai tea, or even mulled cider. For a holiday flair, add a platter of sliced oranges or fresh berries on the side to brighten the table.
Creative Ways to Present
These cookies look stunning stacked on a rustic plate, tucked into a beautiful cookie tin for gifting, or even sandwiched around a vanilla or cinnamon ice cream scoop for a dreamy dessert sandwich. Try arranging them in a circular pattern as a fun “cookie wreath” centerpiece at gatherings!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies fresh and delightfully soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay tender for up to a week—perfect for make-ahead treat planning or midweek cookie cravings!
Freezing
The baked cookies freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. Let them cool completely, then layer them in a freezer-safe container with parchment between each layer. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls (before rolling in sugar) and bake straight from the freezer—just add an extra minute or two to baking time.
Reheating
If your frozen or day-old Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies need a little perking up, a few seconds (5–8) in the microwave brings back that just-baked softness. If reheating several, a brief warmup (2–3 minutes) in a 300°F oven refreshes their texture without drying them out.
FAQs
What makes Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies so soft?
The cream cheese and proper creaming of butter and sugar create extra moisture and tenderness, ensuring a soft and melt-in-your-mouth bite that stays fresh for days.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese instead?
Full-fat cream cheese yields the richest flavor and best texture, but in a pinch, low-fat will work—just expect the cookies to be a little less tender and rich.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and kept chilled. Even baked Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies keep well for several days and freeze wonderfully for longer storage.
Can I add nuts or raisins?
Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts add delicious crunch, and raisins or even chocolate chips can be folded in for an extra treat. Just be sure to keep mix-ins moderate so the cookies retain their perfect texture.
How can I intensify the cinnamon flavor?
For a stronger cinnamon kick, mix ground cinnamon into the sugar used for rolling—about ½ teaspoon per ¼ cup sugar should do the trick! You can also add a touch of cinnamon to the base dough if you’re a true spice lover.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for cookies that blend cozy spices and creamy richness in a package that practically melts in your mouth, these Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies are calling your name. They’re simple, irresistible, and bound to become a new favorite in your home—give them a try, and just watch how quickly they disappear!
Print
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the richness of cream cheese with warm cinnamon flavors. Soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet, these cookies are ideal for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together butter, cream cheese, and 1 cup sugar until light and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla; mix until combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Form the Dough: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms. Chill the dough for 30 minutes for easier handling.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat each in the remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Place on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a stronger cinnamon flavor, roll the cookies in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar instead of plain sugar.
- These cookies stay soft for days when stored in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus chilling)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
