Description
Delicious and tender Gluten Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies that combine the richness of cream cheese with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfectly sweet and mildly flavored, these cookies are easy to make and ideal for those seeking a gluten-free treat without compromising on taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum if not included)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to ensure that the cookies do not stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly combine all dry ingredients.
- Cream Butter Mixture: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes, ensuring a smooth base for your dough.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, mixing until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough forms. If the dough feels too soft or sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up for easier handling.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, place them spaced on the prepared baking sheets, and gently flatten each ball slightly to form cookie shapes.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the bottoms turn lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake to maintain softness.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to set, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies as desired with icing, sprinkles, or enjoy them plain for a simple treat.
Notes
- If dough is too soft, chilling for 30 minutes makes shaping easier.
- Use gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum to help with texture; if it does not, ensure to add xanthan gum separately.
- Cookies can be decorated with icing or sprinkles for extra flair.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for several days.
- Do not overbake to keep cookies soft and tender.
