Festive & Flavorful Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies Recipe

Updated on: December 17, 2025

Close-up of frosted cream cheese Christmas cookies with red, green, and white sprinkles on a wire cooling rack, perfect for a delicious recipe.

Welcome to the wonderful world of holiday baking! These delightful Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies are a must-try this festive season. They boast an incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that perfectly balances richness with a subtle tang. Prepare to make these easy, gorgeous cookies a new tradition for all your festive occasions.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies

You’ll adore these Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies for their unique qualities and ease of preparation:

Cream cheese is a secret ingredient in many recipes, known for its ability to create an exceptionally soft and rich texture in baked goods.

Enjoy a wonderfully soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that is simply irresistible.
Savor the rich, tangy flavor from the cream cheese, perfectly complemented by sweet vanilla.
Their vibrant sprinkles and festive glaze make them a beautiful addition to any holiday table.
These cookies are perfect for gifting to loved ones or bringing to holiday parties.
This recipe is simple and straightforward, making it ideal for bakers of all skill levels.

Ingredients

To make these delightful Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies, gather these fresh ingredients:

½ Cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature.
3 oz. Cream Cheese: Softened, full-fat is highly recommended for best results.
1½ Cups Powdered Sugar: Used for the cookie dough, ensuring a fine texture.
½ tsp Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent, helping cookies rise slightly.
1 Large Egg: At room temperature, helps bind the dough.
½ tsp Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla enhances the overall flavor.
1¾ Cups All-Purpose Flour: Properly measured for consistency.

When working with baking ingredients, it’s important to remember that raw flour requires careful handling due to potential contaminants.

Christmas Sprinkles: A festive mix for both the dough and topping.
1 Cup Powdered Sugar: For preparing the simple cookie glaze.
2 tablespoons Water: To create the perfect glaze consistency.

Notes & Substitutions

Ensure your butter and cream cheese are truly softened for a smooth, lump-free dough. Measure your flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly from the bag. For an alternative flavor, try almond extract or a blend of vanilla and almond. You can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend if needed. For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter sticks and dairy-free cream cheese, though results may vary slightly.

Equipment

You won’t need much specialized gear to bake these cookies.

A stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer will make mixing easier.
Grab a couple of mixing bowls for ingredients.
Parchment paper is essential for lining your baking sheets.
You’ll need baking sheets for oven use.
Standard measuring cups and spoons are a must.
A cooling rack helps cookies cool evenly.

Instructions

Follow these easy steps to create your delicious batch of Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies:

Prepare Oven & Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
Cream Fats: In the bowl of your stand mixer, or using a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and softened cream cheese together on medium speed until smooth and fully combined, about 2 minutes.
Add Sugar: Gradually add 1½ cups of powdered sugar to the creamed mixture. Continue beating on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Incorporate Egg: Beat in the large egg until it is fully incorporated into the mixture. Follow with the vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the 1¾ cups all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon baking powder to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the flour is just incorporated and no dry streaks remain. Stir in 2 tablespoons of Christmas sprinkles gently, avoiding overmixing the dough.
Chill Dough: Cover the cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling is crucial for the dough to firm up and prevents spreading.
Shape Cookies: Once chilled, scoop the dough and roll it into 1-inch (or slightly larger) balls. Aim for uniform sizes for even baking.
Arrange on Sheets: Place the shaped dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1½ inches between each cookie to allow for slight spreading.
Bake Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookies are ready when the edges are just slightly golden brown, but the centers still look pale and set. You want them almost underbaked for that signature soft, tender texture.
Cool Briefly: Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheet for just 1 minute. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Prepare Glaze: While the cookies cool, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust water a tiny bit at a time if you need a thinner consistency.
Glaze & Decorate: Once the cookies are slightly warm or completely cool, spoon a small amount of glaze over the top of each cookie. Immediately add more Christmas sprinkles onto the wet glaze before it has a chance to set.
Set Glaze: Allow the glazed Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies to sit on the cooling rack until the glaze has fully hardened, which takes about 15-30 minutes.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

For the best Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies, remember these crucial tips. Always ensure your butter and cream cheese are at proper room temperature; this creates an emulsified, smooth dough. Avoid overmixing the dough once the flour is added; overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Do not skip chilling the dough; it’s essential for preventing excessive spreading in the oven. Likewise, do not overbake these cookies; pull them when the edges are just barely golden for that perfect soft texture. Adjust your glaze consistency by adding more powdered sugar if it’s too thin, or a tiny bit more water if it’s too thick. For sprinkles to stick, add them immediately after spooning on the wet glaze. If your dough is crumbly after chilling, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes until it’s easier to roll.

Serving, Storage & Variations

These delightful Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies are versatile for any holiday occasion.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these sweet treats with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa during holiday gatherings.
Arrange them beautifully on a festive holiday platter alongside other seasonal goodies.
Package them in decorative boxes or bags for thoughtful, homemade edible gifts for friends and family.

Storage Instructions

Store baked Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to one week.
You can freeze the baked cookies, unglazed, for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before glazing and decorating.

Flavor Variations

Add 1 teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy twist.
Substitute half of the vanilla extract with almond extract for a subtle, nutty flavor.
Experiment with different colored sprinkles, sanding sugars, or edible glitter for varied festive looks.
Dip cooled cookies in melted white chocolate before the glaze for an extra layer of decadence.
Add a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon to the dough for a warm, spiced holiday note.

Nutrition Information

Please note that the following nutrition information is an estimate based on the ingredients listed and may vary depending on exact measurements and brands used. This is provided for informational purposes only.

Per Cookie (approx. 20g)	Amount
Calories	120 kcal
Total Fat	6g
Saturated Fat	3.5g
Cholesterol	15mg
Sodium	40mg
Total Carbohydrates	15g
Dietary Fiber	0.2g
Total Sugars	10g
Protein	1g

FAQ

Why chill the cookie dough? Chilling the dough solidifies the butter and cream cheese, which helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, resulting in a thicker, softer cookie.

Can I make these cookies ahead? Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and chill it for up to 2-3 days before baking. You can also bake the cookies and freeze them unglazed.

Why are my cookies spreading too much? This usually happens if the butter and cream cheese were too warm, or if the dough wasn’t chilled long enough. Ensure your fats are properly softened but not melted.

What kind of cream cheese is best? Full-fat block cream cheese is highly recommended. It provides the best flavor and texture for these amazing Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies.

How to prevent the glaze from being too thin/thick? Adjust by adding powdered sugar if it’s too thin, or a tiny bit more water (½ teaspoon at a time) if it’s too thick. Aim for a pourable but not watery consistency.

Conclusion

These delightful Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies are truly a holiday baking dream come true. Their irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet, tangy flavor make them an instant favorite for any celebration. With our simple, step-by-step guide, even beginner bakers can achieve perfect results every time. We encourage you to try this festive recipe and make some magical memories in your kitchen. Happy holiday baking, and please share your beautiful cookie creations with us!