Soft Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

When baking soft sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting, magic happens in unexpected moments.

Kitchen adventures always start with simple ingredients and big dreams.

Our recipe promises delightful comfort wrapped in sweet, pillowy goodness.

Memories of grandmother’s classic treats dance through each tender bite.

Smooth cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious finish that makes everyone smile.

Each cookie whispers a story of warmth and nostalgia.

Bake these and watch happiness spread across eager faces.

What You Need for Soft Sugar Cookies and Frosting

• Butter, Sugar: Key for rich, sweet base and tender texture. Room temperature butter blends smoothly.
• Eggs: Provide structure and binding. Fresh eggs work best.
• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Adds warm, deep flavor notes. Pure extracts recommended.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie structure. Sifted flour prevents lumps.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become soft. Fresh baking powder ensures good lift.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Creamy, rich base for frosting. Softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and thick consistency. Sifted for smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm flavor to frosting.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency. Whole milk works best.
• Food Coloring (Optional): Creates decorative colored frosting. Gel colors provide vibrant results.

How to Make the Softest Sugar Cookies Ever

Step 1: Whip Up the Cookie Base

• Softened butter
• Sugar

• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Blend until everything is well combined.

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring gently. Stop mixing once ingredients are just blended.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Wrap cookie dough completely in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Chilling helps cookies maintain their perfect shape during baking.

Step 3: Prepare for Baking

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Dust work surface with flour. Roll out dough to quarter-inch thickness. Use fun cookie cutters to create shapes. Place cookie cutouts two inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide baking sheets into preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until cookie edges look set but not browned. Let cookies rest on baking sheet briefly, then transfer to wire cooling rack.

Step 5: Create Dreamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter

• Powdered sugar

• Vanilla extract
• Milk (as needed for spreadable texture)

Optional: Add food coloring for festive look.

Step 6: Decorate with Flair

Once cookies are completely cooled, spread frosting generously. Sprinkle with decorative toppings for extra charm.

Tips for Frosting Sugar Cookies Like a Pro

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Leave butter out 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the ideal creamy texture without melting.
• Prevent Tough Cookies: Mix dry ingredients gently and stop stirring as soon as flour disappears to keep cookies tender and soft.
• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate dough for even thickness and prevent spreading, ensuring uniform cookie shapes during baking.
• Control Frosting Consistency: Add milk gradually to cream cheese frosting, checking spreadability to avoid runny or overly thick decoration.
• Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with different extract combinations like orange, lemon, or maple to create unique cookie profiles.

Keep Those Soft Cookies Fresh and Fluffy

• Store frosted cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent frosting from melting.
• Pack completely cooled, unfrosted cookies in freezer-safe containers. Separate layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them defrost at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Frost after they reach room temperature to prevent condensation.
• Warm refrigerated cookies at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent texture changes and maintain soft cookie consistency.

Drinks and Treats to Pair with Sugar Cookies

• Pair Sweet Treats with Complementary Beverages
• The creamy, smooth coffee drink enhances the soft sugar cookie's sweetness while adding a gentle caffeine kick that balances the rich frosting.
• Cold whole milk creates a nostalgic childhood comfort, cutting through the cookie's sugary richness and providing a clean, refreshing contrast.
• Light chamomile or lavender tea offers a delicate floral background that won't overpower the cookie's subtle vanilla and almond notes, creating a sophisticated dessert experience.
• Warm, velvety chocolate drink with marshmallows complements the cookie's soft texture, creating a luxurious and indulgent dessert combination that feels like a warm hug.

Sugar Cookie Variations for Every Mood

• Gluten-Free Variation: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Add xanthan gum for better texture and binding. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Cookie Version: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Use flax eggs instead of chicken eggs. Substitute cream cheese frosting with dairy-free cream cheese alternative made from cashews or soy.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of regular sugar. Reduce overall sugar content in both cookie and frosting. Add extra vanilla or almond extract to enhance sweetness naturally.
• Chocolate Chip Adaptation: Fold in mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough before chilling. Sprinkle extra chips on top of frosted cookies for added chocolatey crunch. Consider using dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor profile.

Why Soft Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Hit the Spot

• Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, these sugar cookies require minimal technical expertise and deliver delightful results every time.
• Involve kids in rolling, cutting, and decorating, transforming baking into a fun, interactive experience that creates lasting memories together.
• Ideal for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions, these cookies can be customized with different shapes, colors, and festive decorations to match any theme.
• Prepare dough in advance and chill overnight, allowing busy home bakers to spread out the cookie-making process and reduce day-of kitchen stress.

Soft Sugar Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet, pillowy Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting bring nostalgic comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Delicate cookie layers paired with silky frosting create an irresistible treat you’ll want to savor slowly and share with loved ones.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Decorative Ingredients:

• Sprinkles (optional)
• Food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the dough by thoroughly blending softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale. Incorporate eggs and both vanilla and almond extracts, ensuring a uniform mixture.
2. In a separate vessel, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix, which could result in tough cookies.
3. Encase the dough in plastic film and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to firm up the texture and enhance flavor development.
4. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and arrange parchment paper on baking trays. Dust a clean surface with flour and roll out the chilled dough to a quarter-inch thickness.
5. Utilize cookie cutters to create desired shapes, carefully transferring each piece onto prepared baking sheets, maintaining adequate spacing between cookies.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for subtle firmness around edges without allowing browning. Allow cookies to rest momentarily on the tray before transferring to a cooling rack.
7. Craft the frosting by whipping cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually integrate powdered sugar, creating a luxurious, creamy consistency.
8. Enhance frosting with vanilla extract and adjust texture using milk. Optional: Introduce food coloring for visual appeal.
9. Once cookies have completely cooled, generously spread frosting and embellish with sprinkles as desired.

Notes

• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and creates a more defined cookie shape, ensuring picture-perfect edges every time.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the soft, tender texture.
• Keep the cookie thickness consistent by using guide sticks or rolling pins with thickness rings to achieve uniform baking and professional-looking results.
• To prevent dry cookies, remove them from the oven when edges are just set and centers look slightly underbaked, as they’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg