Description
These Gluten Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are soft, tender, and perfect for anyone avoiding gluten. Made with a blend of gluten-free flour and cream cheese, they offer a rich, buttery flavor with a delicate texture. Easy to prepare and bake, these cookies are ideal for special occasions or everyday treats.
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 the 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 to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt within the flour.
- Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This creates a smooth base and incorporates air for tender cookies.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, mixing until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. If the dough feels too soft or sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly. Flatten each ball slightly to allow even baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set and the bottoms turn lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate cookies as desired with icing, sprinkles, or leave them plain for a classic sugar cookie flavor.
Notes
- If the dough is too sticky, chilling for 30 minutes makes it easier to handle and helps maintain cookie shape during baking.
- You can omit the almond extract if you prefer a more traditional vanilla sugar cookie flavor.
- Using parchment paper helps prevent sticking and facilitates easy removal of cookies after baking.
- Be careful not to overbake; the cookies should remain soft and tender rather than hard or crunchy.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
