Tangy Cream Cheese Holiday Cut-Out Cookies
These delightful Tangy Cream Cheese Holiday Cut-Out Cookies are the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, making them an ideal treat for festive occasions. With a rich, creamy texture from the blend of cream cheese and butter, each bite brings a unique flavor that’s not overly sweet. Originating from a cherished family recipe found in the Syracuse Herald-American, these cookies have become a beloved tradition during Christmas and summer holidays alike. Their versatility allows you to use various cookie cutters for any occasion, and the robust royal icing not only adds a beautiful finish but also makes stacking a breeze. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or as part of a beautifully decorated platter, these cookies are sure to delight family and friends whenever they're served.
N/A
Servings
85
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Salted Butter
1 cup (Room temperature)
Cream Cheese
8 ounces (Room temperature)
Granulated Sugar
1 cup (None)
Large Egg
1 (None)
Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 teaspoons (Use good quality pure extract)
All-Purpose Flour
3 1/2 cups (None)
Baking Powder
1 teaspoon (None)
Meringue Powder
1 tablespoon (None)
Powdered Sugar
1 1/4 cups (None)
Water
3 tablespoons (Lukewarm)
Instructions
1
1. Begin by creaming together the salted butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
2
2. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until well blended.
3
3. Switch from beater hooks to dough hooks on your mixer. In a separate bowl, stir the baking powder into the all-purpose flour, then gradually add this mixture to the butter and cream cheese mixture. Beat until just combined, being careful not to over-mix.
4
4. Divide the dough into at least four equal portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. (The dough can also be frozen for later use; just allow it to come to refrigerator temperature before rolling.)
5
5. For rolling, use a lightly floured surface and roll each portion to a thickness of just over 1/4 inch to preserve the tangy flavor of the cream cheese. Cut out your desired shapes and transfer them to an ungreased cookie sheet, placing them close together as they will not spread.
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6. (Optional) For extra crisp edges, place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator for 3 minutes before baking.
7
7. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake each batch for 8-10 minutes, checking for a shiny appearance; if cookies are shiny, they need an additional minute.
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8. Once baked, allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack while preparing the royal icing.
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9. To make the icing, mix the powdered sugar and lukewarm water in a small bowl until smooth. Ensure all sugar is combined by scraping the sides.
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10. Decorate the cooled cookies with icing using a spatula or drizzle method, and enhance with colorful decorating sugars for a festive touch.
Nutrition Information
4g
Fat
12g
Carbs
1g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Tangy Cream Cheese Holiday Cut-Out Cookies?
They are a festive treat featuring a balance of sweet and tangy flavors, made with a base of cream cheese and butter.
What makes the flavor of these cookies unique?
The unique flavor comes from the blend of cream cheese and butter, ensuring they are not overly sweet.
How should I prepare the butter and cream cheese for mixing?
Both the salted butter and the cream cheese should be at room temperature before you begin creaming them together.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How long do these cookies need to bake?
The cookies typically bake for 8 to 10 minutes per batch.
How thick should I roll the cookie dough?
The dough should be rolled to a thickness of just over 1/4 inch to preserve the tangy cream cheese flavor.
Do I need to chill the dough before rolling?
Yes, the dough should be divided into portions and chilled in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Can I freeze the cookie dough for later use?
Yes, the dough can be frozen; just ensure it returns to refrigerator temperature before you attempt to roll it.
What type of mixer attachments are recommended?
Start with beater hooks for creaming and switch to dough hooks when adding the flour mixture.
How can I tell if the cookies are finished baking?
Check for a shiny appearance; if the cookies still look shiny, they need approximately one more minute in the oven.
Do these cookies spread while baking?
No, these cookies do not spread, allowing you to place them close together on the cookie sheet.
Should I grease the cookie sheet?
No, the instructions specify using an ungreased cookie sheet for baking.
Is there a tip for achieving extra crisp edges?
For extra crisp edges, you can place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator for 3 minutes just before baking.
What ingredients are needed for the royal icing?
The icing is made from powdered sugar, meringue powder, and lukewarm water.
How do I prepare the icing for decoration?
Mix the powdered sugar and lukewarm water until smooth, making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl.
Can these cookies be stacked?
Yes, the robust royal icing used in this recipe makes stacking the cookies a breeze once they are dry.
What kind of vanilla extract is best for this recipe?
It is recommended to use a good quality pure vanilla extract for the best flavor profile.
Are these cookies suitable for holidays other than Christmas?
Yes, they are versatile enough for any occasion, including summer holidays, by using different cookie cutters.
Where does this recipe originate from?
This is a cherished family recipe originally found in the Syracuse Herald-American.
Are these cookies very sweet?
No, they are specifically described as having a unique flavor that is not overly sweet.
How many ingredients are required for the entire recipe?
The recipe requires 10 ingredients in total, including those for the icing.
What is the calorie count for one of these cookies?
Each cookie contains approximately 85 calories.
What is the fat content per cookie?
There are 4 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is in each cookie?
Each cookie provides 1 gram of protein.
How should the cookies be cooled?
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before you begin the icing process.
What can be used to add a festive touch to the decoration?
You can enhance the decorated cookies with colorful decorating sugars.
How many carbohydrates are in a cookie?
Each cookie contains 12 grams of carbohydrates.
Should I use a specific type of flour?
The recipe calls for standard all-purpose flour.
What is the first step in making the dough?
The first step is creaming together the salted butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Can I use a spatula to apply the icing?
Yes, you can decorate the cooled cookies using either a spatula or a drizzle method.