Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, buttery cookies topped with a rich, tangy frosting that creates the perfect balance of sweetness. They’re easy to decorate for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions, making them a timeless homemade treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the Sugar Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk, if needed
- Sprinkles or colored sugar for decorating (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop or roll the dough into balls, place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets, and gently flatten each one.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just set but not browned.
- Cool the cookies completely on a wire rack.
- Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Add milk as needed for a spreadable consistency.
- Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles or colored sugar if desired.
Notes
- Add almond extract to the cookie dough for a classic bakery-style flavor.
- Tint the frosting with food coloring to match holidays or celebrations.
- Decorate with festive sprinkles, sanding sugar, edible glitter, or crushed freeze-dried berries.
- Add lemon or orange zest to the frosting for a bright citrus flavor.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months and prepare the frosting fresh after thawing.
- Serve at room temperature for the best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
