⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ "Hands down, these are THE BEST sugar cookies in the world!" (2024)

Soft, chewy cream cheese sugar cookies. This easy cut out sugar cookie recipe stays soft because of cream cheese.

Homemade sugar cookies are a classic. Everyone needs a good recipe and we’ve got several to share with you! These cream cheese sugar cookies are super soft and so easy to make. They’re so delicious topped with a simple powdered sugar frosting.

Although these are flat sugar cookies that don’t rise, we also have a recipe for soft, fluffy buttermilk cut out sugar cookies, and two types of sugar cookies that don’t require cookie cutters….bakery-style and Pillsbury copycat.

This cream cheese sugar cookie recipe is perfect for every holiday and season.

Ingredients

• For best results use room temperature butter and cream cheese. Set it on the counter an hour or two before mixing. If it is too cold it will not mix in well, and if it is too hot and melted, it will affect the texture of the cookies.
• Although this sugar cookie recipe calls for both vanilla and almond extract, you can use all vanilla if you’d like.
• Many times when I substitute almond extract for vanilla extract (or add a touch of both), people will ask for the cookie recipe. Why? Because one simple change to a traditional recipe makes the cookies stand out. It’s like a secret ingredient that people love trying to figure out.

Sugar Cookie Dough in 4 Steps

There are 4 simple steps to mixing up cream cheese sugar cookie dough:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, blend butter and cream cheese with the paddle attachment on low speed. Mix until smooth and creamy.
• Add sugar, egg and extracts.Mix again until combined.
• Mix in remaining dry ingredients and blend into the creamed mixture, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Remove the soft dough and flatten the dough into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill the dough in the fridge for one hour.

Tips for Making Sugar Cookies

• The butter and cream cheese should be at room temperature so they blend easily. They should not be melted at all.
• Let the dough chill in the fridge for at least an hour before you roll the cookies and bake them. Simply flatten the dough into a thick disc and wrap it in plastic wrap. This makes for easy fridge storage. Chilling the dough is what makes these the perfect sugar cookie.

• Roll the cookies on a pastry mat for easy cleanup.
• When you are rolling the cookie dough on a lightly floured surface, don’t roll them too thin. You want the dough to have about ¼ inch thickness so that the cookies don’t get golden brown when they bake.

• Don’t over bake the cookies.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Frosting

Because of the delicious flavor of this classic sugar cookie recipe, I didn’t want to add too much frosting to cover that sweet taste. An easy powdered sugar icing with just a few teaspoons on top of each cookie is perfect.

The cookies are also sturdy enough to hold up to royal icing or cream cheese frosting.

Make Ahead Sugar Cookies

This is a great make ahead cookie recipe. Here’s your options:

• Make the sugar cookie dough up to 3 days in advance. Then roll out the day you want to bake ahead.
• Make the sugar cookie dough and freeze in discs for up to 8 weeks. Thaw the discs in the fridge.
• Bake the cookies and freeze them un-iced for up to 3 months. This cookie recipe is great for this!
• If you’re frosting the cookies with a royal icing that sets firmly, you can decorate in advance and freeze. Freeze the cookies stacked, but place wax paper between the layers. Thaw in the fridge.