Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Imagine biting into a soft, pillowy cookie with a subtle tangy cream cheese flavor, wrapped in the warm embrace of cinnamon sugar. These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies are the perfect balance of comfort and sophistication, bringing together the richness of cream cheese with the aromatic allure of cinnamon. Unlike regular sugar cookies, these treats offer a velvety texture that literally melts in your mouth, creating an unforgettable dessert experience. You’ll learn how to create these irresistible cream cheese cinnamon cookies with simple ingredients and foolproof techniques that guarantee bakery-quality results right in your home kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies are about to become your new favorite for several compelling reasons. First, the cream cheese in the dough creates an incredibly tender crumb that regular cookies simply can’t match. Each bite delivers a perfect textural contrast between the soft, melt-in-your-mouth center and the slightly crisp, cinnamon-sugar coated exterior.

What truly sets these cream cheese cookies with cinnamon apart is their versatility. They’re elegant enough for holiday cookie exchanges yet simple enough for weeknight treats. The tanginess from the cream cheese perfectly balances the sweetness, creating a more sophisticated flavor profile than standard sugar cookies.

Perhaps best of all, they’re surprisingly straightforward to make. The dough comes together in minutes, requires minimal chilling time, and the rolling process is wonderfully tactile and satisfying. Even novice bakers will achieve impressive results with this forgiving recipe that consistently delivers bakery-worthy cookies with minimal effort.

Ingredients

For the cookie dough:

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups (310g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the cinnamon sugar coating:

• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Optional glaze:

• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pro Tips

Achieving perfect Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies relies on three critical techniques. First, ensure your cream cheese and butter are genuinely at room temperature—not cold and not melting. This creates the ideal creamy foundation for your dough. Test by pressing a finger into the butter; it should leave an indentation without sinking completely.

Second, avoid overmixing the dough once you add the flour. Mix just until the flour disappears to maintain the tender texture these cookies are known for. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your cream cheese cinnamon cookies tough rather than tender.

Finally, the chilling step is non-negotiable. Allow at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) for the dough to firm up in the refrigerator. This prevents excessive spreading during baking and intensifies the flavors as they meld together. If your kitchen is particularly warm, you might even chill the shaped balls again for 10 minutes before baking for the most perfect shape and texture.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the granulated sugar and continue beating for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and airy. This thorough creaming process incorporates air into the dough, creating that signature pillowy texture. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the cream cheese mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Remember, your restraint here will be rewarded with incredibly tender cookies. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky – this is exactly what you want for perfectly textured Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies.

Step 3: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. This step is crucial for both flavor development and ensuring the cookies hold their shape during baking. If you’re short on time, place the dough in the freezer for 20-30 minutes instead.

Step 4: Shape and Coat
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar for coating. Take the chilled dough and roll into 1-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon of dough each). Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until thoroughly coated, then place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just set but the centers still look slightly underdone. Don’t wait for them to brown – this would indicate overbaking. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. If using the optional glaze, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth, then drizzle over completely cooled cookies.

Variations

Chocolate Swirl Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies: Transform these treats by adding 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to half of the dough. Create marbled cookies by gently twisting together portions of the regular and chocolate dough before rolling in cinnamon sugar. The chocolate adds a delightful complexity that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon notes.

Spiced Cream Cheese Cookies: Elevate the warm spice profile by adding 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and a pinch of ground cloves to the dough. This creates a more complex, chai-inspired cream cheese cookie with cinnamon that’s perfect for fall and winter gatherings. Consider adding a teaspoon of orange zest for a bright counterpoint to the rich spices.

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend (look for ones containing xanthan gum). Add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it to ensure the cookies maintain their perfect texture.

Storage and Serving

These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week, allowing them to come to room temperature before serving to fully enjoy their texture. They also freeze beautifully—place completely cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag where they’ll keep for up to 3 months.

For an elevated dessert experience, sandwich vanilla or cinnamon ice cream between two cookies for an indulgent ice cream sandwich. Alternatively, serve them alongside a cup of warm chai tea or coffee for a comforting afternoon treat. For special occasions, create a beautiful dessert plate by pairing these cookies with fresh berries and a small dollop of mascarpone cream drizzled with honey—the tanginess of the cream cheese in the cookies complements these accompaniments perfectly.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours before baking. You can also freeze the shaped dough balls (before rolling in cinnamon sugar) for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the refrigerator overnight, roll in cinnamon sugar, and bake as directed.

Why did my cookies spread too much?
The most common cause is insufficient chilling. Make sure your dough is properly chilled before baking. Also check that your butter wasn’t too warm initially and that your baking powder is fresh.

Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
While full-fat cream cheese produces the best texture in Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies, you can use reduced-fat (Neufchâtel) cream cheese with minimal difference. Avoid fat-free varieties as they contain more moisture and will affect the cookie structure.

How do I know when these cookies are done baking?
These cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven. The edges should be set but not brown. They’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet and will firm up as they cool.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to this recipe?
Yes! Finely chopped pecans or walnuts make excellent additions. Fold in about 1/2 cup after incorporating the dry ingredients. White chocolate chips also pair beautifully with the cinnamon flavor profile.

Print