Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring for decoration
- Green sugar sprinkles optional
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
2️⃣ Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
3️⃣ Chill the Dough
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
4️⃣ Roll and Cut the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into desired shapes.
5️⃣ Bake the Cookies
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
6️⃣ Prepare the Icing
- In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- If needed, add an extra tablespoon of milk for a thinner consistency.
- Mix in green food coloring until the desired shade is reached.
7️⃣ Decorate and Serve
- Spread the icing over the cooled cookies.
- Sprinkle with green sugar sprinkles or any decorations of your choice.
- Allow the icing to set before serving.
Notes
✅ Chill the Dough – This step is key to keeping the cookie shapes intact while baking.
✅ Use Gel Food Coloring – For brighter, more vibrant icing without making it too thin.
✅ Piping Tip – If decorating with detailed designs, transfer the icing to a piping bag for more precision.
✅ Flavor Variations – Try adding almond extract or a hint of lemon zest for a unique twist.
✅ No Cookie Cutters? – Roll the dough into small balls and press them slightly to make simple round cookies.