Description
These Cut Out Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are tender, buttery, and perfect for decorating with frosting and sprinkles. Made with cream cheese and a hint of almond and vanilla extract, these cookies offer a delicate flavor and soft texture that holds shapes beautifully after baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp pure almond extract
- 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
For Decorating
- Frosting
- Sprinkles and seasonal nonpareils
Instructions
- Cream Cheese Cookie Dough Preparation: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and nutmeg using a whisk. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and almond extract together. Beat for 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Sugar: Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue beating for another 2 minutes until fully creamed and well combined.
- Add Egg Yolks: Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue to beat on high speed for 2 minutes; the mixture should become fluffy and light yellow.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix. Then divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours or until firm.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or baking mats and set aside.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc of dough to about 1/3-inch thickness. Use floured cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 1 ½ inches apart. Keep the remaining dough chilled until ready to use.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies on the middle rack in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn light golden brown.
- Cool and Decorate: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on wire racks. Once cooled, frost and decorate with sprinkles and nonpareils as desired.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial for maintaining the cookie shape during baking.
- Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for smooth creaming.
- Do not overbake to keep cookies tender and soft.
- For cleaner cut edges, chill rolled dough before baking if it becomes too warm.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cream cheese cookies, sugar cookies, cut out cookies, decorated cookies, holiday cookies, soft sugar cookies
