Easy Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe (2025)

Cream cheese cookies are a delightful treat that combines a rich, creamy texture with a hint of sweetness. This easy cream cheese cookie recipe is perfect for using up leftover ingredients like cream cheese and butter, making it both practical and delicious.

How to Make Cream Cheese Cookies

This recipe is a quick and simple way to whip up soft cookies with cream cheese that everyone will enjoy. It’s a great choice for casual baking days or special occasions like Christmas.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these easy Philadelphia cream cheese cookies:

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (or use salted butter and omit the added salt)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, plus additional for dusting
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Directions

Making these cream cheese cookies is straightforward, even for beginners. Follow these steps for the best results:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
3. Add the powdered sugar to the mixture and beat on low speed until fully incorporated. Then, mix in the egg and vanilla extract, blending until combined.
4. In a separate medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing with the electric mixer until a soft dough forms.
5. Roll the dough into 24 small balls and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least 1 inch of space between each.
6. Bake for 9–10 minutes or until the cookies are set and lightly golden on the bottom.
7. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
8. Once the cookies have cooled, lightly dust them with powdered sugar for a festive finish.

This recipe makes 24 cookies that can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or frozen for up to three months.

Why This Recipe is Perfect for Leftovers

One of the best things about this easy cream cheese cookies recipe is that it’s an ideal way to use up leftover cream cheese or butter. If you’ve hosted a gathering and find yourself with extra ingredients, this recipe turns them into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth dessert. These cream cheese cookies for Christmas are especially handy during the holidays when baking supplies tend to pile up.

If you’re looking to explore more recipes that make good use of leftovers, consider trying our White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies with Maple Syrup recipe. It’s perfect for transforming leftover cranberries into a delightful treat.

Our Chewy Pumpkin Snickerdoodles are perfect for using up that extra canned pumpkin. And they freeze so well too!

For a quick and simple option, the Easy 3-Ingredient Nutella Cookies are a fantastic way to utilize leftover Nutella. This one is a favorite with my youngest daughter.

And if you have some apple cider on hand, our Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies offer a unique and flavorful twist. These cookies are popular from the end of summer right through the Christmas cookie season.

Cream Cheese Cookies FAQs

Have questions about making cream cheese cookies? Here are answers to the most common ones. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to leave it in the comments.

What type of cream cheese works best for this recipe?

Use regular, full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture. I personally prefer buying blocks of Philadelphia Cream Cheese when they’re on sale.

Avoid using low-fat or whipped cream cheese. They may alter the consistency of the dough, and not for the better!

Can I freeze cream cheese cookie dough?

Yes, the dough can be frozen. Form it into balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to bake, let them thaw slightly while the oven preheats and bake as directed.

Why do I need to sift the dry ingredients?

Sifting the flour, baking powder, and salt helps ensure an even distribution of dry ingredients in the dough. This step contributes to a lighter, more uniform cookie texture.

These soft cookies with cream cheese are a versatile addition to your baking repertoire. Whether you’re using up leftovers or preparing for a holiday gathering, this recipe is sure to be a hit.

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