If you love melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a swirl of warmth, you’ve just struck gold with these Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies. They’re not your average treat: a heavenly mix of tangy cream cheese, real butter, and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar gives every bite the perfect harmony of soft, chewy, and irresistibly fragrant. Whether you’re gearing up for a cookie swap, holiday gathering, or just craving something special on a cozy night in, Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies will become your newest go-to for comfort baking.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple isn’t boring when each ingredient plays a starring role! Every item listed below brings something essential to the party, ensuring your cookies come out flavorful, soft, and beautifully golden every single time.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Soft butter ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture while letting the cinnamon flavor shine.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): The secret weapon for tangy richness and an ultra-soft crumb.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Provides just the right amount of sweetness and helps the cookies get a delicate golden glow.
- Large egg (1): Acts as a binder and provides structure without weighing the dough down.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a fragrant backdrop that deepens all the cozy flavors.
- All-purpose flour (1 3/4 cups): The essential base that adds body and structure for perfect, sturdy cookies.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): A little boost for a lighter lift and gentle chew.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances all the flavors and keeps sweetness from overpowering.
- Ground cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon): The main event—warming, earthy, and utterly craveable.
- Cinnamon sugar mixture (1/4 cup sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon): For rolling—creates that classic, sparkling, cinnamon-studded crust.
How to Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies
Step 1: Get Ready for Baking
Set the stage for success by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and lift right off the tray without sticking or over-browning.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Base
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar. Don’t rush this step—you want the mixture to be pale, fluffy, and almost cloud-like, which helps the cookies stay incredibly tender.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract, then beat again until totally smooth. The dough should look glossy and luscious at this stage, with no streaks of egg or cream cheese.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Blending these dry ingredients first prevents clumps and ensures the cinnamony goodness is evenly distributed in every bite.
Step 5: Make the Dough
Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet mixture, mixing on low speed or with a spatula so you don’t overwork the dough. You’ll end up with a pillowy, slightly sticky dough that smells incredible already.
Step 6: Shape and Coat
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough, then gently roll them between your palms to make balls. Next, roll each one in the cinnamon sugar mixture until generously coated—this step is where the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies truly get their sparkling signature look!
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Arrange your dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about two inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set and just a bit golden. Let them cool on the pan for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack so they finish setting up without getting too crisp.
How to Serve Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies

Garnishes
A final dusting of cinnamon sugar right as the cookies come out of the oven makes them sparkle and adds a wonderful hint of spice. For a touch of elegance, you can also drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze or add a tiny dollop of whipped cream cheese on top for extra decadence.
Side Dishes
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies pair beautifully with classics like milk, coffee, or chai tea. If you’re serving them as part of a dessert platter, consider adding fresh fruit or even a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream—the contrast between warm spice and creamy cold works wonders!
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive gathering, stack the cookies in a glass jar with a ribbon, or arrange them on a vintage platter with cinnamon sticks artfully scattered around. For holiday parties, serve each cookie in a cupcake wrapper and garnish with a sprinkle of edible glitter for that magical, bakery-style finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies are completely cool, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They tend to stay wonderfully soft, and the flavors only get cozier as they mingle.
Freezing
Both the raw dough balls (before rolling in sugar) and the baked cookies freeze beautifully. For the dough, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag—just be sure to roll them in cinnamon sugar before baking straight from the freezer. Baked cookies freeze best when individually wrapped; thaw at room temperature for best texture.
Reheating
If you like your cookies warm and soft, you can reheat them in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, or pop them in a 300°F oven for a couple of minutes. This revives the cinnamon aroma and brings back just-baked tenderness.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Yes, but the full-fat version is recommended for the richest flavor and softest texture. If using low-fat, your cookies may be slightly less tender but still delicious.
Is it okay to make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and store it in the fridge, covered tightly. Let it soften slightly before scooping and rolling in the cinnamon sugar mixture for best results.
Can I add mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips?
Of course! Chopped toasted pecans or mini chocolate chips add great texture and flavor. Just keep mix-ins to about 1/2 cup to avoid overwhelming the soft, creamy crumb.
Do these cookies spread much during baking?
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies spread just a little, resulting in soft, thick cookies with rounded edges. Make sure to space them about 2 inches apart to give them room to puff up and bake evenly.
Are these cookies good for gifting?
They’re perfect for sharing! Their soft texture, lasting freshness, and unique cinnamon flavor make them ideal for cookie tins, holiday gifts, or as a thoughtful homemade present any time of year.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing treat to bake, it’s hard to beat these Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies. They offer comfort, joy, and a burst of cinnamon in every bite—so gather your ingredients and let the baking (and munching) begin!
Print
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the perfect blend of cinnamon and cream cheese with these soft and delightful Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies. These cookies are a wonderful treat for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday gathering or simply a sweet craving.
Ingredients
Main Dough:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mix until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Coat and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, coat in the cinnamon sugar mixture, place on baking sheets, and bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- These cookies stay soft for days and can be frozen before or after baking.
- Try adding a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg