Description
Delightfully soft and buttery cream cheese sugar cookies with a hint of almond and vanilla, perfect for any occasion. These cookies are easy to prepare and promise a tender texture with a deliciously rich flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, beat together sugar, butter, and cream cheese until smooth to ensure a creamy and fluffy base for the cookie dough.
- Add Flavors and Egg: Incorporate the egg yolk, salt, almond extract, and vanilla extract into the mixture, stirring well to evenly distribute the flavors throughout the dough.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing continuously until the dough comes together and forms a smooth consistency suitable for rolling.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into three equal portions, shape each into a disk, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
- Refrigerate: Place the wrapped dough disks in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up for easier handling.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up while you prepare your cookies.
- Roll the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness to ensure even baking.
- Cut Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut the rolled dough into your desired shapes, then place the cutouts onto an ungreased baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly cooked with a soft center.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or decorating.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for easier handling and helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats on the baking sheet to prevent sticking, if preferred.
- These cookies can be decorated with icing or sprinkles once cooled.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
- For a stronger almond flavor, consider using almond extract exclusively or adding a small amount of finely chopped almonds if desired.
