Cream Cheese Cutouts
Cream Cheese Cutouts are buttery, tender cookies with a rich cream cheese flavor, perfect for decorating with frosting. Ideal for holidays, parties, or special occasions.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large mixer bowl, combine butter and cream cheese.
- Let stand at room temperature about 30 minutes or until softened.
- Stir together flour and baking powder.
- Beat together softened butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; beat well.
- Add flour mixture and beat until well mixed.
- Divide dough in half.
- Cover and chill about 1 1/2 hours or until easy to handle.
- Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut with cookie cutters.
- Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake in a 375°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until done.
- Remove and cool.
- Pipe or spread Almond Frosting onto cookies.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using unsalted butter and high-quality cream cheese. If you need a dairy-free option, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and use a vegan cream cheese. You can also replace almond extract with vanilla extract if you prefer a milder flavor. To prevent sticking, make sure to chill the dough thoroughly before rolling it out.
Serving Suggestions
These cream cheese cutouts are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet treat for tea time. They pair beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee. For a festive touch, consider serving them alongside Anytime Fruit Salad for a refreshing contrast. You can decorate with colorful sprinkles or edible glitter for a fun presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the cutouts before frosting them. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes until warmed through, but avoid overbaking to keep them soft.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cream Cheese Cutouts contains roughly 624 calories, with 13g protein, 77g carbohydrates, and 31g fat. It is an excellent source of calcium (37% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (34% of the Daily Value), and protein (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1043mg per serving (45% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different extracts for flavoring?
Yes, you can experiment with different extracts like vanilla, lemon, or coconut to customize the flavor of your cookies. Just remember to adjust the amount to taste, as some extracts are stronger than others.
What is the best way to roll out cookie dough?
To roll out cookie dough easily, lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. If the dough is too sticky, chill it longer until it's firm. You can also roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn before thawing and rolling it out.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).