If you’re anything like me, you know that nothing quite beats the simple joy of a classic sugar cookie—but add in a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting, and you’ve got something truly special. This Perfect Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe routinely gets rave reviews at family gatherings and holiday parties. What I love most is how these cookies manage to be soft and tender without losing their shape, making them perfect for decorating or just enjoying plain.

You’ll find these cookies work beautifully any time you want to impress without stress. The cream cheese frosting adds just the right amount of creaminess and a hint of tang that perfectly balances the sweetness of the cookie. Whether you’re making them for a special event or just a cozy afternoon treat, this recipe is super reliable and never fails to delight.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients here are straightforward, but each one plays an important role in creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture and flavor combo. Using softened butter and cream cheese helps everything blend smoothly, while the almond extract adds a subtle depth that takes these sugar cookies up a notch.

Butter: Use softened butter, not melted, for a smooth dough and creamy frosting texture.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is perfect for the cookie dough to give just the right sweetness and structure.
Egg: Adds moisture and helps bind the dough together.
Vanilla Extract: Essential for that classic sweet aroma and flavor.
Almond Extract: Just a touch adds a lovely nutty undertone that pairs surprisingly well with vanilla.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookies; make sure to measure correctly for perfect texture.
Baking Powder: Gives a gentle lift to keep cookies tender, not cakey.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors, don’t skip it!
Cream Cheese: For the frosting, softened cream cheese is crucial for that smooth, tangy richness.
Powdered Sugar: Gives the frosting that silky texture and sweetness without any grittiness.
Food Coloring (optional): Great for festive occasions or just to make your cookies pop a little.

Variations

I love mixing things up with this Perfect Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe depending on the season or my mood. Don’t hesitate to personalize it to make it your own—cookies are a blank canvas, after all!

Lemon Zest Variation: Adding lemon zest to the dough or frosting gives a bright, fresh twist that’s especially nice in spring.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. I’ve tested this with great success using a trusted cup-for-cup gluten-free flour mix.
Spiced Up: Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg into your dough for a cozy flavor—perfect for fall!
Vegan Adjustment: While this recipe is naturally rich in dairy, you can swap butter and cream cheese for vegan alternatives. I tried it once with vegan cream cheese, and the texture came out surprisingly good.
Decorating Fun: Add sprinkles or edible glitter to the frosting before it sets for a festive touch.

How to Make Perfect Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Creaming Butter and Sugar – The Foundation

This is where the magic begins. Beat your softened butter until it’s nice and creamy—about a minute on medium speed should do it. Then add sugar and keep beating until the mixture looks light and fluffy; this aeration makes for tender cookies. Don’t rush this step, it really sets the tone for the texture.

Step 2: Adding Eggs and Extracts

Next, crack in the egg and add both vanilla and almond extracts. Beat until everything is well combined, scraping down the bowl as needed to make sure no pockets of dry or unmixed ingredients remain. The almond extract is subtle but makes a noticeable difference, so don’t skip it!

Step 3: Mixing the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. This step is crucial for preventing clumps of baking powder and getting a smooth dough later on.

Step 4: Bringing the Dough Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing just until a cohesive ball of dough forms. Don’t overbeat here—you want to gently incorporate the flour to avoid tough cookies. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it for at least an hour; I find overnight chilling makes the dough easier to handle and develops better flavor.

Step 5: Rolling and Cutting Out Cookies

Roll out your chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to make fun shapes—this is my favorite part, especially with kids around! Transfer the cutouts carefully to a parchment-lined cookie sheet to bake evenly.

Step 6: Baking to Perfection

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 11 minutes. I usually check around the 8-minute mark for softer cookies and leave them longer if I want a bit more crunch around the edges. Just watch for slightly golden bottoms as a guide!

Step 7: Making the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookies cool completely, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy. This frosting is delightfully tangy and sweet—perfect complement to your sugar cookies. Add food coloring if you want to get festive.

Step 8: Frosting Your Cooled Cookies

Make sure your cookies are completely cool before frosting, or the frosting will melt right off. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over each cookie and let them set for about 20 minutes before serving. This sets the frosting just enough while keeping it luscious.

How to Serve Perfect Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

The image shows six baking ingredients neatly arranged on a white marbled surface. At the top left is a white rectangular dish filled with pale yellow butter pieces, arranged in two layers. To the right of the butter is a single brown egg with a smooth shell. Below the butter, a small white round bowl holds dark brown sugar with a grainy texture. Next to the sugar, there is a white square dish filled with white flour that is slightly mounded and appears soft and powdery. Below the sugar, another small white round bowl contains white powdered sugar, also fluffy and fine. Finally, to the right of the powdered sugar is a small white round bowl filled with dark brown liquid vanilla extract, smooth and shiny. The ingredients are all clearly visible with soft natural lighting, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little colored sanding sugar or festive sprinkles on top of the frosting before it sets. It adds a bit of crunch and makes the cookies look irresistible. For holidays, edible pearls or edible glitter can really make your cookies pop at the party table.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee or a glass of cold milk—simple but timeless. I’ve also served them alongside fresh berries or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a more decadent treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holidays, try arranging these cookies on a tiered stand with colorful ribbons wrapped around the edges. I’ve also put them in decorative boxes with wax paper between layers when gifting friends and family—it’s such a heartfelt, personal touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They usually stay fresh for about 3-4 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

If you want to freeze them, frost the cookies first and then freeze on a baking sheet until solid. After that, stack them with parchment paper in between inside a freezer-safe container. Thaw gently in the fridge overnight for best texture and freshness.

Reheating

I usually just enjoy these cookies at room temperature, but if you want to warm them, a few seconds in the microwave (about 10 seconds) does wonders to soften the cookie and bring out the flavor—just don’t overdo it or the frosting might get too melty.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter in this recipe?

You can, but I recommend reducing or skipping the added salt in the dough since salted butter already contains salt. Using unsalted butter gives you more control over the seasoning and is my personal preference.
Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms it up, which makes rolling and cutting easier and helps the cookies hold their shape when baking. Plus, resting the dough overnight really deepens the flavor for a tastier cookie.
Can I make this Perfect Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe dairy-free?

Yes! You can substitute the butter and cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like vegan butter and vegan cream cheese. Just make sure those ingredients are softened for proper mixing.
How thick should I roll the dough?

About 1/4 inch thickness works best—thin enough to bake evenly but thick enough to hold the frosting and remain soft. If you roll it too thick, the cookies might take longer to bake through.
What if my cookies spread too much?

This can happen if the butter is too warm or the dough isn’t chilled enough. Make sure your dough is well chilled before cutting and baking, and avoid over-mixing once you add the flour.

Final Thoughts

This Perfect Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it always feels like sharing a bit of comfort and sweetness with the people around me. Whether you’re making these for a big celebration or just because, I promise these cookies will bring smiles—and maybe even a little nostalgia. Give this recipe a try; it’s approachable, forgiving, and absolutely delicious. You’ll soon find yourself reaching for it whenever you want to bake something that feels like a warm, cozy hug.

Perfect Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

★★★★★ 4.6 from 68 reviews

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

These perfect sugar cookies are soft, flavorful, and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. With hints of vanilla and almond extracts, these classic cookies are ideal for any occasion and come together easily with simple ingredients. The dough chills overnight for optimal texture, then baked to your preferred softness and finished with a smooth, creamy frosting that can be tinted with food coloring for a festive touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

3/4 cup Butter, softened
3/4 cup Sugar
1 large Egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
2 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup Butter, softened
4 cups Powdered Sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Food Coloring (Optional)

Instructions

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy for about one minute. Add sugar and continue beating for about two minutes until well combined and fluffy. Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, beating until fully mixed.
Combine Dry Ingredients and Form Dough: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, beating until the dough forms a cohesive ball. Wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour or ideally overnight for best results.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Roll and Cut Dough: Roll the chilled dough out on a floured surface to your desired thickness, typically about 1/4 inch. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them carefully to the prepared baking sheet.
Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 11 minutes, depending on preference. For softer cookies, bake closer to eight minutes; for a firmer texture, bake up to eleven minutes. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the frosting is creamy and smooth. Add food coloring if desired.
Frost and Serve: Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over each cookie. Allow the frosting to set slightly before serving or storing.

Notes

Chilling the dough overnight improves flavor and dough firmness, making it easier to roll and cut shapes.
Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
Adjust baking time according to preference for softer or crisper cookies.
Food coloring in the frosting can add fun and seasonal colors.
Store cookies in an airtight container to keep fresh for up to 5 days.

Keywords: sugar cookies, cream cheese frosting, classic cookies, holiday cookies, vanilla almond cookies, soft cookies, cookie cutters