Classic Cream Cheese Cutouts Recipes

CREAM CHEESE COOKIES WITH PERFECT FROSTING {FOR CHRISTMAS OR ANY DAY}

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl, then add the egg and beat until fully incorporated, about 30 seconds. Add the cream cheese and beat for 1 minute, scrape down the bowl once more, then beat in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest until incorporated, about 30 seconds.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing just until fully incorporated and a soft dough is formed.
• Divide the dough into quarters. If using the dough within 24 hours, roll each quarter to a 1/4-inch thickness in between two sheets of parchment paper (alternatively, you can store the dough in a ball or disk and roll out when ready to cut and bake). Be careful not to roll the dough any thinner or the cookies will not be as soft. Keeping the dough flat, transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight. Repeat with the remaining dough (it is fine to stack the dough "flats" on top of each other to save space). If you will not be using the dough within 24 hours, divide the dough in half, pat each into a disk, then wrap each disk tightly in plastic and freeze in a ziptop bag for up to 1 month. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then proceed with the recipe as directed.
• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Remove one of dough flats from the refrigerator. (If you stored the dough in a ball or disk, roll it to a 1/4-inch thickness now, between two layers of parchment paper.) Remove the top layer of parchment paper, then with cookie cutters, slice the cookies into desired shapes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, until barely lightly golden brown and the edges are dry. The cookies will look slightly underbaked. Let cool completely.
• To make the frosting: In a small bowl, stir together the powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons milk as best as you can (the frosting will be very solid at this point). Beat in the corn syrup and almond extract until the frosting is smooth and glossy. If the frosting seems too thick, add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. If making colored frosting, add a few drops of food coloring until you reach your desired color intensity. Frost and decorate the cookies as desired. Let the frosting set for a few minutes, then enjoy!

CREAM CHEESE CUT-OUTS II

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the creamed mixture. Divide dough into two pieces, cover and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut in to desired shapes using cookie cutters and place the cookies at least 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 7 to 9 minutes in the preheated oven, until bottoms are lightly browned and cookies are firm. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

CLASSIC CREAM CHEESE CUTOUTS

Steps:

• Combine butter and cream cheese in the bowl and of a stand mixer and beat until fluffy. Add sugar; beat until even fluffier. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
• In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add it to the butter and cream cheese mixture and beat until just combined. Transfer a quarter of the dough to the center of a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper. Pat into a disk, and wrap tightly. Repeat with the remaining three quarters. Chill for at least an hour and up to three days.
• Preheat your oven to 325º F. Roll out our dough on a lightly floured surface or in between two sheets of parchment paper to 1/2-inch thick. Cut out your cookies with cookie cutters of your choice-I like 2-inch circular cutters. Boring, I know. Gather scraps , re-roll, and repeat process.
• Bake on parchment-lined cookie sheets for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden-cookies will be very pale. Remove them from the pan and transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely. Note: I don't like baking more than one sheet of cookies at a time, but do as you like.
• Meanwhile make the frosting: Stir together the confectioner's sugar with 1 tablespoon of the milk. Add more milk a tablespoon at a time to achieve a thick but pourable consistency. Spoon icing onto cookie, spreading to cover. Shower with sprinkles.

PHILADELPHIA SUGAR COOKIE CUTOUTS

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add granulated sugar and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add flour, beating well after each addition. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes with 3- to 4-inch cookie cutters; sprinkle with colored sugar. Place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets.
• Bake 12 to 15 min. or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 2 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

CREAM CHEESE CUT-OUT COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream margarine and cream cheese, then add the sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla, and flour last.
• I like to chill dough over night or at least several hours.
• Roll out chilled dough and cut in desired shapes with your favorite cookie cutters.
• Bake at 350° for 10 minutes.
• Ice and decorate.

CREAM CHEESE CUT-OUT COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese until well blended. Add the sugar; blend until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract and baking powder; beating well. Add the flour to the mixture; mix until well blended. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
• 2. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll out the dough to desired thickness (1/4 inch works well) on a lightly floured surface. Using cookie cutters, cut out dough into desired shapes. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets (I use parchment paper lined cookie sheets).
• 3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Frost and decorate, if desired.