Lemon and Cream Cheese Cookies
Savor tangy, soft cookies with lemon and cream cheese. Our recipe features keywords to bake sweet treats that delight every palate!
Ingredients
Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, softened):
- This is key for a tender crumb and rich flavor. Make sure it’s at room temperature to blend evenly with the other ingredients.
Cream Cheese (4 oz, softened):
- The star of these cookies—its tangy creamy consistency sets them apart from standard sugar cookies.
Granulated Sugar (1 cup):
- Sweetens the dough just enough to balance out the bright lemon notes.
Large Egg (1):
- Brings everything together helping the dough hold its shape and bake up light.
Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons):
- Offers a cozy familiar aroma that complements the citrus punch.
Lemon Zest (1 tablespoon):
- Delivers fresh zesty flavor in every bite. If you’re craving more brightness, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
All-Purpose Flour (1 3/4 cups):
- Forms the structural base for your cookie dough ensuring they bake with a soft interior.
Baking Powder (1/2 teaspoon):
- Gives the cookies a gentle lift resulting in a fluffy texture.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon):
- Highlights each flavor preventing the cookies from tasting overly sweet.
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures you’ll have the perfect temperature ready to go once the dough is mixed.
Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until they form a smooth, fluffy mixture. This step is key to achieving a velvety texture in your cookies.
Add the Sugar and Egg:
- Gradually pour in the granulated sugar while continuing to mix, then crack in the egg. Blend until everything is well incorporated, ensuring there are no streaks of unmixed ingredients.
Stir in the Flavors:
- Mix in the vanilla extract and lemon zest. If you want a sharper citrus note, consider adding a light squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This extra touch amplifies the cookies’ bright, tangy flavor.
Combine the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold this mixture into the wet ingredients, stopping just when the dough comes together. Overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, so a light touch is best.
Chill the Dough:
- If your dough seems a bit soft, pop it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. This step makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies retain their shape while baking.
Shape and Bake:
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about two inches of space between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges appear slightly golden.
Cool and Enjoy:
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies rest for a minute or two before transferring them to a cooling rack. This brief pause keeps them from falling apart. Enjoy them fresh, or store in an airtight container to maintain their soft texture.
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbs: 16g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg