Name: Sparkling Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 2 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g), spooned & leveled; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (16 Tbsp; 226g); 2 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature (57g); 1 cup granulated sugar (200g); 1 large egg, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; 3/4 cup sprinkles (sanding sugar, nonpareils, and/or jimmies) (150g)

There’s something magical about biting into a cookie that’s soft, buttery, and just a little sparkly. That’s exactly why this Sparkling Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe is a must-try — the cream cheese adds a tender richness that makes these cookies melt in your mouth, while the colorful sprinkles make them fun and festive anytime you bake them.

A stack of five round, sugar-coated cookies is shown on a white marbled surface. From bottom to top, the first cookie has green sugar crystals with a slightly rough texture, the second cookie is covered in red sugar crystals, the third is again green sugar crystals, the fourth is red sugar crystals, and the fifth on top is a half-eaten green sugar cookie revealing a soft, light yellow interior. To the left, at the base of the stack, there is a half piece of a green sugar cookie showing the same soft inside. Some blurred cookies with red and green sugar crystals appear in the background. The overall image uses soft, natural light to highlight the texture and colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sparkling Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sparkling Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sparkling Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made plenty of sugar cookies in my time, but the cream cheese in this recipe really takes them up a notch. It’s like the difference between a plain cookie and one that feels special for any occasion — from holidays to an everyday treat. Plus, rolling them in sparkling sugar and sprinkles just makes life a little brighter.

Ultra-Soft Texture: Thanks to cream cheese, these cookies stay soft and tender for days, not that they usually last that long in my kitchen!
Fun, Eye-Catching Sparkles: The sanding sugar and nonpareils give a festive, shiny look that kids and adults both adore.
Easy to Make: The dough comes together quickly with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Perfectly Sized Cookies: Each cookie is about a tablespoon of dough, so you get plenty to share (or not!).

Ingredients & Why They Work

This cookie dough sings because every ingredient plays a special role — from the soft cream cheese to the little kick of almond extract. Using good-quality butter and fresh cream cheese really makes a difference in flavor and texture that you’ll notice in every bite.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of fine baking powder, a tiny white bowl of salt crystals, a square of unsalted butter softened and slightly shiny, a block of full-fat cream cheese with a smooth surface, granulated sugar heaped in a small white bowl, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl filled with clear vanilla extract liquid, a small white bowl holding almond extract liquid, and a small white bowl overflowing with colorful sanding sugar sprinkles, nonpareils, and jimmies, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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

All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookies, gives structure without heaviness when measured properly (spooned and leveled!).
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a light, tender crumb.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture; using unsalted lets you control the salt levels.
Full-fat brick cream cheese: The secret ingredient that makes these cookies uniquely soft and creamy.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a slightly crisp edge around the soft center.
Large egg: Binds everything together and contributes to the soft texture.
Pure vanilla extract: Adds warm, familiar flavor that enhances the overall taste.
Almond extract: A little goes a long way, giving the cookies a subtle nutty essence that makes them extra special.
Sprinkles (sanding sugar, nonpareils, jimmies): Brings sparkle, color, and a little crunch that’s so fun to see and eat.

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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

One of the best parts about this Sparkling Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often swap in different sprinkles depending on the season or occasion, and sometimes I add a little lemon zest for a fresh twist. Don’t be afraid to make it yours!

Variation: I’ve made these with peppermint extract instead of almond around the holidays — it’s a game changer and adds a lovely festive touch.
Dietary swap: For a dairy-free version, I’ve experimented with vegan butter and non-dairy cream cheese, with decent results, though the texture shifts a bit.
Seasonal changes: Adding orange zest and using citrus-colored sanding sugar in spring brightens up the cookies beautifully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sparkling Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe

A white marble slab holds an assortment of round Christmas cookies with colorful sprinkles and sugar coating. The cookies have different layers of texture: some are covered with large red, green, and white round sprinkles; others are dusted with bright green or red sugar crystals; a few have red and white sugar sprinkles. One cookie is broken to show two green layers with a white filling between them. The cookies are placed closely in a scattered pattern, some on the slab and a few on white plates around with more cookies. Two woman's hands hold the slate at the corners, and a red-and-white striped cloth is partially visible on the left. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Get Your Dry Ingredients Ready

Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures your rising agents and seasoning are evenly distributed, so your cookies bake up perfectly every time. I always give it a good mix and set it aside to keep things moving smoothly.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese

Using a stand mixer or handheld with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and cream cheese on high until smooth — about 2 minutes. This is key because the cream cheese needs to blend seamlessly with the butter, so your cookies develop that tender, creamy texture.

Step 3: Add Sugar, Egg, and Extracts

Next, add the granulated sugar and beat until creamy. Then, throw in the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts and mix until fully combined. I like to scrape the bowl down here to make sure nothing’s missed, so every bite has balanced flavor.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

On low speed, gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet until combined. You’ll end up with a thick dough, which is perfect. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, then chill for at least an hour. Trust me — this chilling step helps the flavors meld and keeps your cookies from spreading too much.

Step 5: Form and Decorate Your Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C), and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls, then roll each ball in your chosen sparkly sugar or sprinkles until fully coated. Place them a couple of inches apart on your baking sheets — they’ll spread slightly, but you want to keep them distinct.

Step 6: Press and Bake

Gently flatten each dough ball with the back of a glass or measuring cup — just a light press to get that classic sugar cookie shape. Bake for 12-13 minutes until the edges are barely golden. Take them out and let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack. This way, they finish setting without breaking.

Top Tip

From lots of cookie baking sessions, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Sparkling Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe really sparkle — literally and figuratively. Here are my go-to tips to help you nail it:

Don’t Skip the Chill: When you chill the dough, it firms up and prevents the cookies from running all over the baking sheet, keeping their shape and texture spot-on.
Soften Butter and Cream Cheese Properly: Room temperature means soft enough to mix easily but not melting — this is crucial for a smooth dough.
Use the Right Measuring Technique: I always spoon and level my flour instead of scooping to avoid dense cookies.
Be Gentle When Pressing: A light touch with the glass keeps cookies pretty without smashing them thin.

How to Serve Sparkling Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick to bright sanding sugars and classic rainbow nonpareils for the garnish — they add that childhood nostalgia feel. Sometimes, I’ll use holiday-themed colored sugars or edible glitter to really impress guests during festive seasons.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cozy cup of hot chocolate, lightly spiced chai tea, or even a cold glass of milk. For brunches or parties, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit or a simple cheese platter to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange the cookies on a tiered stand with matching sprigs of rosemary or edible flowers. Wrapping a few up in colorful cellophane with a cute tag also makes a wonderful homemade gift that friends rave about every year.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep the cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. I’ve found they stay tender and delicious for up to a week — though honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

For freezer-friendly cookie dough, I shape the dough balls and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, just pull out as many as you want, let thaw slightly, and bake as usual. It’s a game changer for last-minute treats.

Reheating

If you have leftover cookies that have lost their soft charm, warming them up in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes revives that fresh-baked feel. Just watch closely so they don’t brown too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute low-fat cream cheese in this recipe?

Using full-fat cream cheese gives the best texture and flavor. Low-fat varieties can make the dough less creamy and might affect how soft the cookies turn out, so I wouldn’t recommend substituting it if you want that signature tender crumb.

How long can I store these cookies?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies keep their soft texture for up to one week. You can also freeze the baked cookies for longer storage, up to 3 months.

Can I use other types of sprinkles or decorations?

Absolutely! The recipe is quite versatile, so feel free to use your favorite sprinkles, sanding sugars, or even colored sugar crystals. Just remember that heavier decorations might slightly affect baking time.

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Yes, chilling the dough for at least an hour is important. It helps the dough firm up so the cookies hold their shape when baked and enhances the flavors. If chilled longer than a few hours, allow the dough to soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling.

Final Thoughts

This Sparkling Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe has become my go-to for celebrations and cozy afternoons alike. There’s just something so satisfying about soft, creamy cookies with that sweet sparkle on top. I can’t recommend giving them a whirl enough — they’re the kind of treat that feels homemade but special enough to impress anyone you share them with.