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Incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies made with cream cheese for lasting tenderness. Easy dough, pale and perfect, with optional simple frosting.

Soft Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies made with cream cheese for lasting tenderness. Easy dough, pale and perfect, with optional simple frosting.
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Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ lb 1 cup butter, softened
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Frosting:
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 –3 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • Food coloring and sprinkles as desired

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  3. Mix in vanilla.
  4. Add flour gradually and mix just until combined.
  5. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
  6. Bake 12–14 minutes until set but still pale—do not brown.
  7. Cool completely on the pan.
  8. For frosting, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Tint if desired. Spread on cooled cookies and add sprinkles.

Notes

Cookies should remain pale for maximum softness.
Store in an airtight container up to 5 days.
Dough can be refrigerated or frozen ahead.
Excellent plain or frosted.