Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

If you love soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a gentle cinnamon kick and a subtle tang from cream cheese, then you’re in for a treat. This Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe is honestly one of my all-time favorites to bake when I want something a bit special but super simple to whip up. The balance of flavors and textures is spot-on, and once you try these, I promise you’ll be coming back to this recipe again and again.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient plays a starring role here, coming together to create that perfect soft yet slightly crisp cookie. I always recommend real unsalted butter and quality cream cheese for the best flavor, plus fresh vanilla bean paste if you can find it—it adds a lovely depth. Here’s a quick rundown of the essentials:

• Unsalted butter: Provides richness and structure while letting you control the salt content.
• Cream cheese: The secret to extra tender texture and a slight tangy note.
• Powdered sugar: Blends smoothly into the dough, contributing to its softness.
• Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
• Baking powder: Gives a gentle lift to keep cookies from becoming dense.
• Vanilla bean paste or extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm sweetness.
• Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• All-purpose flour: The base for the dough, providing structure.
• Granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon to coat the cookies, adding a nice crunchy contrast.
• Ground cinnamon: Gives that classic warm spice punch every bite needs.

Tweak to Your Taste

I always enjoy experimenting with this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe, and the beauty is it welcomes your personal touch. You can make it your own easily whether you want it spicier, sweeter, or suitable for dietary needs.

• Extra Cinnamon: I’ve doubled the cinnamon coating before, and it’s like a little cinnamon party in your mouth—a winner if you love spice!
• Gluten-Free Twist: I swapped all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend once and still got fantastic results—just double-check your mix includes xanthan gum.
• Lower Sugar: I sometimes cut down the powdered sugar slightly for a less sweet version, balancing with sweeter cinnamon sugar on top.
• Mini Cookies: Making these into bite-size cookies works great for parties and snack platters.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese Until Silky

Start by softening your butter and cream cheese at room temperature—it helps them blend effortlessly. Using a hand mixer, beat them together in a large bowl until you get a smooth, creamy texture without lumps. This is such a crucial step because it makes your dough silky smooth, resulting in that heavenly soft cookie.

Step 2: Sweeten and Flavor the Dough

Slowly add powdered sugar to your butter and cream cheese mixture and beat until fully combined. Then crack in your egg, sprinkle the baking powder and salt, and add the vanilla bean paste. This combo builds the perfect flavor base, so don’t rush—give it a good mix to get everything incorporated.

Step 3: Gently Fold in the Flour

Add your all-purpose flour gradually to avoid dust clouds and mix just until the dough comes together. Be sure to scrape down the sides of your bowl so all that buttery goodness gets folded in evenly. The dough will be soft but manageable—this texture is key to soft cookies that still hold their shape.

Step 4: Chill, Roll, and Coat

Cover the dough and pop it in the fridge for about an hour. This step is non-negotiable in my book—it chills the fats and makes the dough easier to handle. When you’re ready, preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix together your cinnamon and granulated sugar in a small bowl.

Roll the dough into roughly 1-inch balls (about 2 teaspoons of dough per ball), then roll each ball thoroughly in the cinnamon sugar so it’s well coated. Space them about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet to give them room to puff.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 8 to 9 minutes. The tricky part is that these cookies puff up but don’t brown much, so don’t wait for golden edges or you’ll end up with overbaked, dry cookies. Pull them out just as they’re set. Let them cool on the sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This lets them firm up just right—soft centers, delicate cinnamon crust.

How to Serve Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar on top right after baking while the cookies are still warm—it adds an extra sparkle and slight crunch. Freshly ground cinnamon also pairs beautifully, or a tiny dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy finish if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic with a hot cup of chai tea or coffee for dipping. I’ve also paired them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert twist or alongside a crisp apple salad for a fall-inspired snack plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday cookie exchanges, I like to stack these cookies on a pretty platter, tied with cinnamon sticks or topped with a cinnamon stick “flag” for extra flair. They also look adorable in little clear bags tied with ribbon—perfect for gifting or party favors!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cookies store nicely in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I always keep a piece of bread or a folded paper towel inside to maintain moisture and keep the cookies soft—works like a charm!

Freezing

I like to freeze the cookie dough balls before baking, spaced on a tray and covered, then transfer them to a freezer bag once solid. That way, I can bake fresh cookies anytime without the wait. They also freeze well baked—wrapped tightly and stored in freezer bags, then thawed gently on the counter.

Reheating

To revive leftover cookies, I pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes until warm and soft again—just like fresh-from-the-oven. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the delicate crisp edges intact.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe has become a cozy staple in my kitchen, especially when I want something comforting that isn’t too complicated. The soft, tender texture paired with that lovely cinnamon sugar crust feels like a warm hug in cookie form. I hope you enjoy baking these as much as I do — and maybe even love them more. Make sure to try this out with friends or family; it’s always a crowd-pleaser and melts away any stress. Happy baking!

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