Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the lookout for a cookie that’s both soft and bursting with cozy flavors, you’re in for a treat! This Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe is one of my all-time favorites — the perfect balance of tender cream cheese dough rolled in cinnamon sugar that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon or holiday treats to share, this recipe will win you over with its melt-in-your-mouth texture and warm cinnamon aroma. Let me walk you through every step so you’ll nail these cookies every single time!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe plays a vital role to bring out that perfect cookie. Here’s a quick peek at why each one matters — plus tips so you get the best results from your pantry picks.

• Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temp, it ensures your dough creams nicely without greasiness—using unsalted lets you control the salt.
• Cream Cheese: Adds tenderness and a subtle tang that takes these cookies up a notch from your typical butter cookie.
• Powdered Sugar: Helps maintain that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture instead of a gritty sweetness.
• Egg: Binds the dough together while adding slight richness.
• Baking Powder: Gives a gentle puff to the cookies so they aren’t flat but still stay soft.
• Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: I love vanilla bean paste for those pretty flecks and intense vanilla flavor — but extract works great too.
• Kosher Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors — don’t skip this!
• All-Purpose Flour: The structure builder. Measure carefully to avoid dense cookies.
• Granulated Sugar and Ground Cinnamon: Combined for the classic topping that crisps up and adds that warm cinnamon bite.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love about this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe is how flexible it is! You can totally tweak it to suit your mood, diet, or the occasion without losing any of that signature softness and cinnamon goodness.

• Variation: I’ve tried swapping half the all-purpose flour for almond flour to add nuttiness and make these a bit gluten-friendly — they still come out soft but slightly more crumbly, which I actually adore.
• Less Sweet: If you’re not into super sweet cookies, reduce the powdered sugar by a quarter cup without much impact on texture.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of cloves to the cinnamon sugar mix for extra warmth during the holidays.
• Vegan Option: I haven’t tested this fully, but plant-based butter and vegan cream cheese work if you’re careful with egg substitutes. Let me know how it turns out if you give it a shot!

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

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese Until Silky Smooth

Start by combining softened unsalted butter and cream cheese in a large bowl. I use a hand mixer here and love how the mixture gets super creamy without lumps — this base is key for that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Make sure both are truly softened to room temperature; cold butter won’t mix well and warm butter will make your dough greasy.

Step 2: Gradually Blend in the Powdered Sugar

Add the powdered sugar bit by bit, continuing to mix until everything is combined and fluffy. I like this slow approach to avoid any gritty spots and ensure a silky smooth dough.

Step 3: Mix in Egg, Baking Powder, Vanilla, and Salt

Next up, add the egg, baking powder, vanilla bean paste (or extract), and a pinch of kosher salt. Mix gently until just combined—you want the dough uniform but not overworked.

Step 4: Incorporate the Flour Slowly

Sift in the all-purpose flour gradually, folding it into the mixture. Scrape down the sides as needed until the dough comes together. It should be soft but hold its shape—if it feels too sticky, a light dusting more flour can help without making it dry.

Step 5: Chill the Dough for an Hour

This is a step you can’t skip! Cover the dough and refrigerate it for about an hour. It firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and preventing excessive spreading in the oven. Waiting this out pays off big time for cookie shape and texture!

Step 6: Prep Your Oven and Cinnamon Sugar Mix

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper (I never skip parchment — it keeps the cookies from sticking or spreading too thin). Meanwhile, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. This will be your tasty coating.

Step 7: Shape and Coat Your Cookies

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls—usually about two teaspoons of dough each works well—and then roll each one in the cinnamon sugar until evenly coated. Arranging them about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet gives them room to puff without merging.

Step 8: Bake Until Just Set

Bake for 8 to 9 minutes. The tricky part here is to catch them exactly when they’re set but not golden brown—they puff up but stay soft. I check mine around the 8-minute mark and take them out promptly; overbaking dries them out. Then, let them cool on the sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Serve Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Personally, I like to give these cookies a quick dust of extra cinnamon sugar right after baking if I’m serving them warm — it adds a glistening, sweet finish. Sometimes, a dollop of lightly whipped cream or a smear of soft cream cheese frosting takes them to party-level delicious.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of chai or coffee. I also love serving them alongside a creamy vanilla ice cream or fresh fruit salad for a balanced dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I’ve arranged these cookies stacked in a glass cookie jar lined with cinnamon sticks and sprigs of rosemary around the base — it’s both festive and inviting. You can also sandwich two together with cinnamon-scented cream cheese frosting for a fancy touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking and cooling completely, I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Keeping them in one layer or separated by parchment paper helps preserve their soft texture.

Freezing

I love that this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe freezes beautifully! You can either freeze the dough balls before baking (just pop on a tray and freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag) or freeze the baked cookies. When ready, bake frozen dough balls a couple minutes longer than usual.

Reheating

To refresh leftover or frozen cookies, I warm them in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes or briefly zap them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds—this brings back that soft, freshly baked feeling without drying them out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe has won over my family and friends every time I bake it. There’s something so comforting about that cinnamon sugar coating paired with soft, rich dough that feels like a warm hug in cookie form. If you love soft, tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a touch of spice, give this recipe a try—you won’t regret having these on your regular baking list. Trust me, once you make them, they’ll quickly become a favorite go-to for cozy moments or sharing with loved ones.

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