Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Fluffy Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe for Sweet Comfort

These irresistible cinnamon cream cheese cookies dance between sweet comfort and elegant indulgence.

Soft, pillowy textures promise a delightful experience in every single bite.

Rich cream cheese melts into buttery dough, creating an incredible harmony of flavors.

Warm cinnamon whispers nostalgic memories of grandmother’s kitchen and cozy afternoons.

Delicate edges crisp perfectly while centers remain impossibly tender and luxurious.

Simple ingredients merge into something truly magical that will surprise and delight.

Break out your mixing bowl and prepare to transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary treat that sparks pure joy.

Why Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Are Irresistibly Soft

  • Super simple recipe that takes minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor in under 30 minutes of active preparation time.
  • Perfect weekend project for families, offering a cozy baking experience that brings everyone together with warm, fragrant cinnamon aromas.
  • Ideal for multiple occasions like afternoon tea, potlucks, school bake sales, or casual dessert gatherings with friends and neighbors.
  • Chilling the dough ensures soft, perfectly shaped cookies with a delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture that consistently turns out delicious for bakers of all skill levels.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies

Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter, Cream Cheese: Provide rich, smooth base for soft cookie texture. Full-fat dairy recommended for best flavor and consistency.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure to the cookie. Fresh eggs at room temperature work best.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla preferred over imitation.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie structure and provides foundation. Unbleached flour recommended for better texture.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Help cookies rise and achieve light, tender crumb. Fresh leavening agents crucial for proper rise.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors. Fine sea salt or kosher salt ideal.
Coating and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cookies and helps create crisp edges. White sugar preferred for consistent texture.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, spicy flavor and signature cookie profile. Fresh, high-quality ground cinnamon recommended.
  • Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture: Creates delicious exterior coating with extra sweetness and spice. Mix in equal parts sugar and cinnamon.

How to Bake the Perfect Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up the Base

  • butter
  • cream cheese
  • sugar
  • egg
  • vanilla extract

Beat butter and cream cheese until silky smooth. Add sugar and whip until fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla until perfectly combined.

Step 2: Mix Dry Components

  • flour
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • ground cinnamon

Whisk dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Gradually fold into wet mixture until soft dough emerges.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step ensures beautiful cookie shape and enhances texture.

Step 4: Shape Delectable Treats

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop tablespoon-sized dough and roll into balls. Coat each ball in cinnamon-sugar mixture for extra zesty flavor.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange dough balls on baking sheet, keeping 2 inches apart. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges set and cookies turn golden. Let cool briefly on sheet before transferring to wire rack.

Step 6: Savor and Store

Enjoy cookies fresh from the oven. Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Tips to Balance Spice and Sweet in These Cookies

  • Soften Butter Perfectly: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, creamy consistency without melting.
  • Prevent Tough Cookies: Mix dry ingredients gently and avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies tender and soft.
  • Customize Cinnamon Intensity: Adjust ground cinnamon quantity to suit personal taste preferences, ranging from mild to bold cinnamon flavor.
  • Freeze Dough for Later: Prepare cookie dough balls in advance, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags for convenient baking anytime.
  • Make Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for optimal texture and structure.

Storing Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies the Smart Way

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for extended freshness up to 7 days.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. Alternatively, place in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to refresh texture and enhance cinnamon aroma.
  • If cookies become slightly dry, add a slice of bread to the container overnight to help restore moisture and softness.

What to Pair with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies

  • Creamy, spiced chai perfectly complements the cinnamon notes in these cookies, creating a harmonious flavor explosion that feels like a cozy autumn embrace.
  • Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, soft cookies, balancing the rich cinnamon and cream cheese textures.
  • Sweet, buttery caramel undertones in the macchiato highlight the cookie's sugary essence while adding depth to the overall taste experience.
  • Nutty, slightly sweet roasted almonds with maple syrup bring a crunchy texture and complementary warmth that elevates the cookie's subtle spice profile.

Ways to Customize Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Alternative: Swap butter and cream cheese with plant-based versions, use a flax egg instead of a regular egg, and choose vegan-friendly sugar to create a dairy-free cookie option.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the cookie's delightful cinnamon flavor.
  • Nutty Enhancement: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for extra crunch and a rich, nutty undertone that complements the cinnamon profile.
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Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Delightful Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies blend sweet warmth with creamy richness, creating an irresistible treat that dances between comfort and elegance. Rich cinnamon notes and smooth cream cheese promise a delectable experience you’ll savor with every delicate bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Spice and Topping Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar (for topping)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Create a velvety base by thoroughly blending softened butter and cream cheese in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
  2. Incorporate sugar into the creamy mixture, whisking vigorously until the texture becomes light and airy. Introduce egg and vanilla extract, ensuring complete integration through careful mixing.
  3. In a separate vessel, meticulously combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon using a whisk to distribute ingredients evenly.
  4. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a soft, pliable dough emerges. Avoid overmixing to maintain the cookies’ delicate texture.
  5. Wrap the dough completely in plastic film and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes. This crucial resting period allows flavors to meld and helps prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
  7. Portion the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized spheres, rolling each one thoroughly in the reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture to create a delectable exterior coating.
  8. Arrange cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, positioning them approximately 2 inches apart to allow adequate spreading during baking.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for slightly golden edges and a set appearance. The cookies should maintain a soft, tender center while developing a delicate crispness around the perimeter.
  10. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for several minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire cooling rack. Store in an airtight container, where they will remain delightfully fresh for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Soften butter and cream cheese completely at room temperature to ensure a smooth, creamy texture without lumps.
  • Chill dough for maximum flavor development and prevent spreading during baking, creating perfectly shaped cookies.
  • Adjust cinnamon intensity by increasing or decreasing ground cinnamon based on personal preference, allowing customization of spice level.
  • Transform into gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the cookie’s delicate texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 143
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 18 mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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