The Perfect Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe for Cozy Baking

Cinnamon cream cheese cookies dance with irresistible warmth and nostalgic charm.

Soft, pillowy textures merge seamlessly with rich, tangy undertones that whisper comfort.

Delicate spices weave through each morsel, refineing simple ingredients into something magical.

The subtle blend of creamy and sweet elements creates an enchanting experience for dessert lovers.

Baking these delights fills your kitchen with an inviting aroma that beckons friends and family closer.

Light, tender, and impossibly more-ish, these cookies promise moments of pure culinary joy.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies: A Sweet Indulgence

• Melt-in-Mouth Magic: Cream cheese transforms these cookies into ultra-soft, delicately tender treats that practically dissolve on your tongue with luxurious smoothness.
• Quick Cinnamon Comfort: Ready in under 30 minutes of active preparation, these cookies deliver warm, nostalgic cinnamon flavor without complex techniques, perfect for spontaneous baking sessions.
• Elegant Simplicity: Using basic pantry ingredients and minimal steps, this recipe creates sophisticated cookies suitable for casual gatherings, afternoon tea, or sophisticated dessert platters, making gourmet baking accessible to everyone.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: The straightforward base allows easy variations like adding nuts, drizzling chocolate, or experimenting with different spice combinations, ensuring these cookies can adapt to personal preferences and seasonal moods.

Key Ingredients for Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies

• Butter: Rich, creamy foundation that provides tender texture and deep flavor for cookies.
• Cream Cheese: Soft cheese adding richness, tangy flavor, and creating a unique cookie consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Fine sugar ensuring smooth sweetness and helping bind cookie ingredients together.
• All-Purpose Flour: Standard wheat flour creating structure and providing classic cookie texture.

• Egg: Binding agent that helps hold cookie structure and adds moisture.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Intense vanilla flavor bringing depth and aromatic sweetness to cookies.
• Kosher Salt: Subtle seasoning that balances and elevates overall cookie flavor profile.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent helping cookies rise and achieve light, tender texture.

• Granulated Sugar: Coarse sugar creating crisp exterior and sweet crunchy coating.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice providing signature flavor and inviting aroma to cookies.
• Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface ensuring easy cookie removal and preventing burning.

How to Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies

Step 1: Whip Creamy Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and use a hand mixer to blend softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and perfectly combined.

Step 2: Sweeten the Mixture

Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly until the ingredients are fully incorporated and create a silky texture.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Baking powder
• Vanilla bean paste (or extract)
• Pinch of kosher salt

Blend everything together until the mixture is completely smooth.

Step 4: Create Cookie Dough

Slowly mix in all-purpose flour, making sure to scrape down the bowl’s sides to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 7: Make Cinnamon Coating

• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Set this mixture aside for coating the cookies.

Step 8: Shape Cookie Balls

Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls, using about of dough for each one to ensure consistent sizing.

Step 9: Add Cinnamon Coating

Roll each dough ball completely in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring full coverage.

Step 10: Bake Cookies

Place coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-9 minutes until set but not browned.

Step 11: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before serving.

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is genuinely softened, not melted, for the perfect cookie texture and smooth blending.
• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerating the dough helps prevent spreading and creates a more concentrated flavor profile during baking.
• Uniform Cookie Size: Use a small cookie scoop or measuring spoon to guarantee consistent ball sizes for even baking and professional appearance.
• Gentle Baking Technique: Watch cookies closely during the 8-9 minute window; they should look slightly underbaked to maintain a soft, tender center.
• Coating Trick: Roll cookies generously in cinnamon-sugar mixture immediately before baking to create a delightful crispy exterior and enhanced flavor.

Storing and Reheating Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies

• Refrigerator Storage: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. These delicate treats will stay fresh for up to 5 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. Seal the container tightly to maintain their soft texture and prevent moisture absorption.
• Freezer Preservation: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for maximum 3 months to preserve their delightful cinnamon-cream cheese flavor. Thaw cookies at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving, ensuring they retain their original softness and taste.
• Reheating Method: Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies gently in the microwave for 8-10 seconds on low power.

Pairing Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies with Tea

• Brew Creamy Chai Latte: Pair these cinnamon-infused cookies with a warm, spicy chai latte. The creamy milk and bold tea spices complement the cookie's delicate cream cheese and cinnamon notes perfectly.
• Serve Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop a small portion of smooth vanilla bean ice cream alongside these cookies. The cool, sweet cream provides a refreshing contrast to the warm cinnamon flavor and soft texture.
• Match with Caramel Macchiato: Enjoy these cookies with a rich caramel macchiato. The sweet caramel undertones and creamy espresso create a delightful balance with the cookie's subtle sweetness and cinnamon warmth.
• Pour Cold Milk Companion: Grab a chilled glass of milk to accompany these cookies. The classic milk-and-cookie combination offers a simple, comforting experience that enhances the cookie's delicate cream cheese base.

Fun Variations of Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies

• Nutmeg Spice Cookies: Replace ground cinnamon with freshly grated nutmeg for a warm, aromatic flavor profile that adds subtle depth to the classic recipe.
• Lemon Zest Cream Cheese Cookies: Incorporate finely grated lemon zest into the dough and swap cinnamon-sugar coating with a light lemon sugar mixture for a bright, citrusy note.
• Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Cookies: Fold in mini chocolate chips before chilling the dough, creating a rich, indulgent version that complements the creamy base of the original recipe.
• Almond Crunch Cookies: Mix in finely chopped toasted almonds to the dough and roll cookies in a combination of cinnamon, sugar, and crushed almond pieces for added texture and nutty flavor.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Cinnamon cream cheese cookies deliver a perfect blend of warm spice and creamy richness. Delicate crumbly edges and a smooth center make these treats irresistible for cookie enthusiasts seeking comfort in each sweet, spiced bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened

Sweeteners and Spices:

• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Flavor Enhancers and Leavening Agents:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious mixing bowl and utilize an electric hand mixer to thoroughly blend softened butter and cream cheese until achieving a silky, homogeneous texture.
2. Gradually introduce powdered sugar into the mixture, ensuring complete integration and creating a smooth, consistent base.
3. Incorporate the egg, baking powder, vanilla bean paste (or extract), and a delicate pinch of kosher salt, mixing comprehensively to distribute ingredients evenly.
4. Methodically fold all-purpose flour into the mixture, using the hand mixer on low speed and periodically scraping the bowl’s sides to guarantee uniform incorporation.
5. Seal the cookie dough securely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 60 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and dough to firm up.
6. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie preparation.
7. Create a separate small bowl containing granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, which will serve as the cookie coating.
8. Extract chilled dough and form uniform balls approximately 1 inch in diameter, using approximately of dough per cookie.
9. Thoroughly coat each dough ball by rolling it completely in the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
10. Arrange coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, positioning them roughly 2 inches apart to prevent merging during baking.
11. Bake for 8-9 minutes, watching carefully to ensure cookies remain pale and just set, avoiding over-browning while allowing slight puffing.
12. Remove from oven and permit cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, facilitating initial cooling and structural stabilization.
13. Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely before serving or storing in an airtight container.

Notes

• Indulge in the ultimate comfort of soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that blend tangy cream cheese with warm cinnamon sweetness.
• Chilling the dough helps create a perfectly textured cookie that holds its shape while delivering maximum flavor complexity.
• Rolling each cookie ball in cinnamon-sugar creates a delightful crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the tender interior.
• Precision matters when mixing ingredients: gentle blending prevents overworking the dough, ensuring light and delicate cookie texture.
• These cookies freeze wonderfully, making them an excellent make-ahead treat for unexpected guests or sudden sweet cravings.
• Vanilla bean paste elevates the traditional flavor profile, adding subtle depth and aromatic sophistication to each delectable bite.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 178 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 64 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: <1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 23 mg