Imagine sinking your teeth into a soft, pillowy treat bursting with cozy spice and sweet richness—these Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies truly deliver on every level! Velvety cream cheese melds beautifully with the warmth of cinnamon, creating a cookie that’s tender inside, slightly crisp at the edges, and absolutely packed with flavor. Whether it’s holiday baking or a regular Tuesday in need of extra comfort, this unique cookie is the perfect way to bring a little extra joy to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies is refreshingly simple. Each item plays an essential role, whether building the tender texture, adding warmth, or bringing that signature sweetness and aroma you’ll crave.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and ensures a melt-in-your-mouth bite.
- Cream cheese, softened: The secret to ultra-soft, tangy cookies that stay moist for days.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and provides that addictive cookie chew.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and contributes to the soft structure.
- Vanilla extract: Brings a luscious aroma, making the flavors sing.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, creating just the right amount of structure.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses the cookies with deep, comforting spice in every bite.
- Baking powder: Provides a delicate lift for a pillowy texture.
- Salt: Enhances flavors and cuts sweetness for balance.
- For rolling – granulated sugar + cinnamon: This classic combo gives every cookie a sparkling, crunchy finish full of irresistible cinnamon flavor.
How to Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and lift easily off the tray without sticking.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This step is the foundation of your Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies, so take your time to make sure there are no lumps and everything is fluffy.
Step 3: Add Sugar, Egg, and Vanilla
Next, add the granulated sugar to your bowl and beat again until the mixture turns lighter and airy. Then, mix in the egg and vanilla extract, blending until everything is fully combined and silky. This is where the cookie magic begins!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients into your wet mixture, stirring just until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Be gentle here—overmixing can toughen your cookies.
Step 5: Shape and Roll in Cinnamon Sugar
Now, scoop the dough into 1-inch balls (a small cookie scoop is perfect for this). Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until completely coated. Place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet to give them plenty of room to spread and puff.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look cracked but still feel slightly soft. Let the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack—this helps them finish setting up without drying out.
How to Serve Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, try dusting your cookies with a tiny pinch of powdered sugar or an extra sprinkle of cinnamon as they cool. Some people love to drizzle on a simple vanilla or cream cheese icing for a bakery-style touch!
Side Dishes
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk, a steaming cup of coffee, or spicy chai tea. Serve them alongside a fruit platter or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange these cookies in a rustic basket lined with a festive cloth for holidays, stack them in clear treat bags tied with ribbon for gifts, or create a colorful platter mingled with other favorite cookies for parties—no one can resist their sweet charm!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies stay deliciously soft for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve their tender crumb.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies after baking for up to two months—just let them cool completely, then seal in a freezer-safe bag. For best results, thaw at room temperature for an hour or two before serving. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute to the baking time.
Reheating
If you love warm cookies, briefly pop leftover Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds. They’ll taste bakery-fresh and even more irresistible!
FAQs
Can I make these cookies gluten free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free baking blend. Just be sure your blend includes a binder like xanthan gum for the best, soft texture.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to the dough?
Definitely—chopped pecans, walnuts, or even mini chocolate chips add a fun twist! Fold in up to half a cup right before shaping the cookies for extra crunch or decadence.
Why do my cookies spread too much?
If your dough is too warm or if you’ve added too much butter, the cookies can spread. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, and be sure to measure your ingredients accurately for perfect results.
Do these Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies need to be refrigerated?
No need to refrigerate the finished cookies. They’ll stay soft at room temperature for several days. Only refrigerate if your kitchen is especially warm or humid.
How do I get my cookies perfectly round?
For picture-perfect cookies, use a cookie scoop and gently roll the dough between your palms for smooth, even balls. If desired, use a round cookie cutter to gently nudge any uneven edges as soon as the cookies come out of the oven.
Final Thoughts
Brimming with comforting spice and creamy richness, Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies are pure joy in every bite. There’s no better way to fill your home with irresistible aroma and your cookie jar with soft, chewy goodness, so I hope you’ll give these a try and make them part of your own baking traditions!
Print
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of cinnamon and cream cheese with these soft, flavorful cookies. Perfect for the holiday season or any time you crave a sweet treat!
Ingredients
Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For rolling:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare dough: In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, egg, and vanilla; mix well. In another bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture.
- Shape and bake: Scoop dough into balls, roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture, and place on baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set. Cool on wire rack.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding nutmeg or a drizzle of icing.
- Cookies stay soft for days in an airtight container and freeze well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
