Description
These Gluten Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are soft, tender, and perfectly sweet with a subtle cream cheese tang. They are easy to make and ideal for those following a gluten-free diet, offering a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
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 line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt thoroughly to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Cream Butter and Cheese: In a large bowl, beat softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, mixing until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a dough forms. If the dough feels too soft to handle, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into approximately 1-inch balls, place them on the lined baking sheets spaced apart, and flatten each slightly to encourage even baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the bottoms turn a light golden color. Be careful not to overbake to maintain softness.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies as desired with icing, sprinkles, or enjoy them plain.
Notes
- Ensure the gluten-free flour blend includes xanthan gum for proper texture; if not, add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to the dry ingredients.
- Chilling the dough helps manage soft dough which makes shaping easier and prevents spreading during baking.
- Do not overbake the cookies; they should remain soft and tender even after cooling.
- Optional almond extract adds a slight nutty aroma and enhances flavor but can be omitted if desired.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
