Name: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened; 4 ounces cream cheese softened; 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1 egg; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract; pinch kosher salt; 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 32 reviews

If you’re anything like me and can’t resist a cookie that’s soft, buttery, and packed with warming cinnamon flavor, then you’re going to flip for this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe. These little bites combine the tangy richness of cream cheese with the cozy spices of cinnamon sugar, making it the ultimate treat for any time of day. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll be your go-to cookie — perfect with a cup of coffee or just on their own.

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Why This Recipe Works

Cream Cheese Magic: Adds a tender, moist crumb and subtle tang you can’t get from butter alone.
Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Gives these cookies a delightful crunch and a burst of warm spice every bite.
Chilling the Dough: Prevents spreading, helping the cookies keep their soft, pillowy shape.
Quick & Easy: Simple ingredients and steps make this a recipe you’ll repeatedly turn to for effortless deliciousness.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies, cinnamon sugar cookies, soft buttery cookies, cream cheese cookie recipe, easy cinnamon cookies - A black plate filled with a pile of eleven round, soft-looking light beige cookies, each covered with a dusting of fine brown cinnamon powder, creating a slightly rough texture on the surface. Two cinnamon sticks lie on top, crossing over the cookies, adding warm brown tones and a woody texture. Surrounding the plate are festive decorations including glossy, bright red berries on thin brown stems and a large, old-fashioned bronze bell. The scene is set on a white marbled surface that contrasts with the black plate and the warm colors of the cookies and decorations. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe come together like a dream — rich butter and cream cheese create moisture and flavor, while cinnamon sugar adds that classic sweet-spicy combo we all crave. Grab quality vanilla and fresh cinnamon for the best results!

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies, cinnamon sugar cookies, soft buttery cookies, cream cheese cookie recipe, easy cinnamon cookies - Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter, a wedge of cream cheese with a fresh cut, a small mound of powdered sugar in a white ceramic bowl, one whole brown egg with a clean shell, a tiny white bowl containing fine white baking powder, a small white bowl with smooth vanilla bean paste, a pinch of kosher salt displayed loosely on the surface, a heap of pale all-purpose flour, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, and a small white bowl holding ground cinnamon, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates a tender texture and lets you control salt precisely.
Cream cheese: Softened, it adds moistness and a subtle tang that sets these cookies apart.
Powdered sugar: Blended easily with butter and cream cheese for smooth dough and fine sweetness.
Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness.
Baking powder: Just enough to help cookies puff slightly without becoming cakey.
Vanilla bean paste or extract: Gives depth of flavor; I love vanilla bean paste for the speckled look and intense flavor.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure, use fresh for best results.
Granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon for the perfect coating that caramelizes lightly in the oven.
Ground cinnamon: Warm and aromatic—the star spice here.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe is so easy to make your own! You can tweak it subtly to suit your tastes or dietary needs, making it a flexible favorite. Don’t be afraid to get creative — I promise it’ll still turn out amazing.

Variation: Sometimes I add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts for a little crunch — it brings a lovely texture contrast that’s a crowd-pleaser.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap cream cheese and butter for plant-based alternatives; the taste slightly shifts, but it’s still delicious.
Spice Swap: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom along with cinnamon for a warm holiday vibe.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend carefully measured for consistent texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese

Start by softening your butter and cream cheese — it’s easiest if you leave them out for about an hour before baking. Using a hand mixer, cream them together in a large bowl until the mixture is perfectly smooth and creamy. This step ensures your cookies bake up tender and melt-in-your-mouth good.

Step 2: Add Powdered Sugar Gradually

Slowly add your powdered sugar a bit at a time while mixing on low speed. This prevents a sugar cloud in your kitchen—and also helps maintain that silky texture. Once combined, you’ll have a sweet, luscious base for your dough.

Step 3: Mix in the Egg, Leavening, Vanilla, and Salt

Add the egg, baking powder, vanilla bean paste (or extract), and a pinch of kosher salt. Mix just until everything is combined. I avoid over-mixing here to keep the cookies from becoming tough later.

Step 4: Incorporate the Flour Slowly

Gradually add in the all-purpose flour, mixing carefully to avoid flour flying everywhere (trust me, been there!). Scrape down the sides occasionally to make sure all ingredients are evenly mixed. The dough should be soft, not sticky — if it’s too wet, toss in a touch more flour.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Pop the dough in the fridge for at least one hour. This resting phase is crucial — it helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle, and prevents spreading during baking, so your cookies hold their shape beautifully.

Step 6: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating and Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, stir together granulated sugar and ground cinnamon — this will coat your cookies. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls (about 2 teaspoons each), then roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly covered. Arrange on your baking sheet about 2 inches apart, giving them room to puff.

Bake for 8 to 9 minutes, just until the cookies are set but not browned. You’ll notice they puff up—don’t let the golden edge fool you into baking too long! Cool them on the sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure butter and cream cheese are really soft to avoid lumps in the dough.
Don’t Skip Chilling: I’ve seen cookies spread too much without chilling—plus the flavors deepen!
Watch the Bake Time: Cookies look underdone but they finish setting as they cool—avoid overbaking for the perfect soft texture.
Rolling into Balls: Using a small cookie scoop keeps cookie sizes uniform and helps baking evenly.

How to Serve Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies, cinnamon sugar cookies, soft buttery cookies, cream cheese cookie recipe, easy cinnamon cookies - A close-up image shows a group of soft, round cookies stacked closely on a white plate. Each cookie is light beige with a rough texture and is covered evenly with a thin layer of cinnamon powder, giving them a warm brown speckled look. The cookies have gentle cracks and small dimples on their tops, suggesting a tender, crumbly texture. The background is blurred but shows red berries and a white marbled surface beneath the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple by dusting a little extra cinnamon sugar over the top right after baking when the cookies are still warm—it adds that extra sparkle and spice. For a festive touch, sometimes I drizzle a thin glaze of cream cheese frosting made from the leftover cream cheese I have on hand.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of chai tea or a creamy latte. For brunch, try serving them alongside fresh fruit or a small cheese board to balance their sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to stack these cookies with little dollops of whipped cream and sliced strawberries between layers, making cute mini cookie sandwiches. You could also arrange them on a pretty platter dusted lightly with powdered sugar and cinnamon for holiday parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering them between parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay soft and fresh for about 3 to 4 days, though honestly, I never find they last that long!

Freezing

If I’m making these ahead, I freeze the cookie dough balls on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag once firm. When I want cookies, I bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time. This is a lifesaver for busy days or sudden cookie cravings.

Reheating

To freshen up stored cookies, I pop a few in the microwave for 10-15 seconds—just enough to soften them without melting the cinnamon sugar. They come out tasting almost like fresh-baked.

FAQs

Can I use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar in this recipe?

Powdered sugar is key here because it blends smoothly with butter and cream cheese, creating a creamy dough without graininess. Using granulated sugar in the dough may result in a rougher texture, but granulated sugar is used for the cinnamon coating, so keep that part as is.
Why do I have to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling firms up the dough, which prevents cookies from spreading too much while baking. It also helps develop flavors and improves texture—skipping this step often means flat, greasy cookies.
How can I tell when the cookies are done?

These cookies might not turn golden brown, but they’ll puff up and look set on top. Bake for 8-9 minutes and remove as soon as the tops appear firm to the touch. Overbaking leads to a less tender bite.
Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! Just keep in mind your mixing bowl size and make sure you have enough fridge space to chill the dough properly. Baking times stay about the same, but you might want to bake in batches to avoid overcrowding your baking sheets.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s simple yet so lusciously flavorful. Every time I make them, friends and family ask for seconds—and that always feels great! I hope you’ll give this recipe a try because it’s truly one of those easy, delicious keepsakes that make baking feel like a warm hug. Happy baking, friend!