If ever there was a cookie recipe guaranteed to warm hearts and inspire cozy kitchen memories, it’s this: A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies. Pillowy soft with a delicate tang from cream cheese, whispers of fragrant cinnamon, and a sugar-dusted coat that crackles at first bite, these cookies represent all that’s irresistible about home baking. Whether you’re making them for a holiday spread or a Tuesday pick-me-up, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again—and passing it down just as lovingly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies plays a starring role, and together they create magic. Gather these baking staples and savor how the simplest pantry items transform into something truly special.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1 cup): For rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture; let it come to room temperature for the creamiest result.
- Cream cheese, softened (6 oz): This adds a lush tang and ultra-tender crumb that sets these cookies apart.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup, plus ¼ cup for rolling): Not only sweetens the dough, but gives the finished cookies their sparkling, crinkly exterior.
- Large egg (1): Helps bind the dough, ensuring every cookie holds together perfectly.
- Vanilla extract (1 ½ teaspoons): Deepens the flavor, mingling beautifully with the cinnamon.
- All-purpose flour (2 ¾ cups): The classic base for a cookie that’s sturdy yet wonderfully soft.
- Ground cinnamon (1 ½ teaspoons for dough, 1 teaspoon for rolling): Layers in warmth and spice—bump it up for an extra-cinnamon punch!
- Baking powder (½ teaspoon): Lifts the cookies just enough for a light, puffy texture.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and highlights the other flavors.
How to Make A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking, making cleanup a total breeze. Trust me, this extra minute of prep is so worth it!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until the mixture looks smooth and creamy. This step is key for A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies since it sets the foundation for that signature cloud-like texture you’re after.
Step 3: Add Sugar, Egg, and Vanilla
Next, pour in the granulated sugar and beat until everything becomes light and fluffy—about 2 minutes. Then, add your egg and vanilla extract, blending until perfectly combined. Every addition here builds on depth and richness.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. This quick whisk ensures your cookies rise just right and that the cinnamon flavor is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 5: Mix the Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, working in batches to avoid overmixing. Mix just until you see no more streaks of flour—a gentle touch is the secret to soft cookies!
Step 6: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
In a small bowl, stir together the reserved ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Give it a quick stir and inhale—the aroma will remind you why you love A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies so much.
Step 7: Shape and Coat the Cookies
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls with your hands. Then, coat each ball generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture before arranging them on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just set and lightly golden. Don’t overbake—they should look slightly underdone in the center to retain that luscious, tender bite. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
How to Serve A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, try sprinkling a little extra cinnamon sugar or even a light dusting of powdered sugar on top once cooled. If you’re feeling adventurous, a drizzle of vanilla glaze turns these into an even more decadent treat.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair exceptionally well with a warm mug of coffee, chai, or a tall glass of cold milk. For dessert platters, they’re a fantastic partner to fresh berries or a dish of vanilla bean ice cream—pure bliss!
Creative Ways to Present
Stack A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies in a pretty jar for gifting, or layer them neatly on a vintage plate for holiday gatherings. For parties, try serving them as mini ice cream sandwiches with cinnamon-spiced ice cream in between—so fun!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay pillow-soft thanks to the cream cheese and just as enticing on day five as on day one.
Freezing
Want fresh-baked cookies at a moment’s notice? Simply roll the dough into balls, freeze them on a tray until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When you crave A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies, bake straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the bake time.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked warmth, pop your cookies in a 300°F oven for about 3 minutes, or (if you can’t wait) a quick 10 seconds in the microwave. It brings out the aroma and makes every bite extra comforting!
FAQs
Can I make these cookies without cream cheese?
Cream cheese is essential to the unique flavor and texture of A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies, but in a pinch, you can substitute Greek yogurt for a similar tang, though the cookies may be slightly less tender.
Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Absolutely! Baked cookies freeze beautifully. Let them cool completely, layer with parchment paper in an airtight container, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Why are my cookies too flat?
If your cookies are spreading too much, it’s likely that your butter or cream cheese was too soft, or the dough wasn’t chilled long enough. If you notice this, chill the dough balls for 30 minutes before baking next time.
How can I boost the cinnamon flavor?
If you’re a cinnamon lover, simply add an extra half teaspoon of cinnamon to the dough for a spicy kick that really makes A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies shine!
What’s the best way to achieve perfectly round cookies?
Rolling the dough into uniform balls and giving them an extra gentle roll once coated in sugar ensures each cookie bakes up round and picture-perfect. Using a cookie scoop helps keep your portions even, too.
Final Thoughts
If you love sharing joy from the oven, you absolutely need to try making A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies. A single batch is never enough—they’ll disappear with delighted smiles in any crowd. Give them a whirl and watch your own cookie tradition blossom from the very first bite!
Print
A Sweet Family Favorite: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies are a delightful treat that the whole family will love. With a soft and chewy texture, a hint of cinnamon, and a cream cheese twist, these cookies are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Rolling Mixture:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, egg, and vanilla; mix until fluffy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture.
- Roll Dough: Combine sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Roll dough into balls, coat in sugar mixture, and place on baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden. Cool on pan before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For a stronger cinnamon flavor, add more cinnamon to the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze dough balls for later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
