INTRODUCTION
Soft Cream Cheese Cookies with Nutella Glaze are a delightful treat that bring joy to any occasion. These cookies are unique because they combine the richness of cream cheese in the dough with the sweet and chocolatey flavor of Nutella as a glaze. The texture of these cookies is soft and chewy, making them a perfect dessert for both kids and adults. Whether you make them for a party, a family gathering, or just because you want something sweet, they are sure to please everyone. Plus, they are easy to make, and the recipe allows for some fun decorating options!
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
There are many reasons to love Soft Cream Cheese Cookies with Nutella Glaze. First, the cookies are incredibly soft and have a wonderful creamy texture thanks to the cream cheese. This makes them different from regular sugar cookies. The Nutella glaze adds a rich sweetness that pairs perfectly with the light dough.
Another great thing about this recipe is its versatility. You can enjoy plain cookies or add toppings like nuts or sprinkles for some extra flavor and crunch. Since they are easy to make, you can whip them up quickly, making them a wonderful last-minute dessert option.
Finally, what makes this recipe stand out is how beautiful the finished cookies look. The shiny Nutella glaze gives each cookie a lovely appearance and the ability to decorate them adds a personal touch. They are perfect for sharing and can brighten up any dessert table!
HOW TO MAKE Soft Cream Cheese Cookies with Nutella Glaze
Making Soft Cream Cheese Cookies with Nutella Glaze is simple and fun. Follow the instructions below to create these delicious cookies that everyone will love.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Large mixing bowl
- Handheld mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment
- Whisk
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Cookie cutters
- Baking sheets
- Wire rack
- Medium bowl
- Handheld mixer or stand mixer with whisk attachment
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 3 cups + 2 Tablespoons (390g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 ounces (113g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups (240g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1/3 cup (100g) Nutella
- 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- Optional: 1/2 cup (60g) chopped hazelnuts for garnish
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
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Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. This helps combine the dry ingredients and gets them ready for the dough.
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In another large bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat the softened butter and cream cheese together. Do this on medium-high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
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Then, add the granulated sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture. Beat the mixture until it is fluffy and well combined, which should take about 1 minute.
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Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the bowl. Beat everything together on high speed until all ingredients are well combined, which should take about another minute. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again as needed.
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Once that is done, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dough is well combined. Be aware that the dough will be soft and creamy.
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Lightly flour your hands and a rolling pin. Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll each part out on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper or silicone baking mat until it is about 1/4-inch thick. You can use any shape cookie cutter you like.
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To avoid sticking, lightly dust one of the rolled-out doughs with flour. Place a piece of parchment paper on top, then add the second rolled-out dough on top of that. Cover everything with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.
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After the dough has chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
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Carefully remove the top layer of dough from the refrigerator. If it is sticking to the bottom, run your hand under it to help lift it. Use a cookie cutter to cut the dough into shapes. If you have leftover scraps of dough, you can re-roll them and continue cutting shapes until all the dough is used.
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Place the cookie shapes onto the lined baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches between each. Bake for 12-13 minutes until the cookies are very lightly browned around the edges. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through if needed.
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Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating them.
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In a medium bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat all the ingredients for the glaze together on medium-high speed until everything is creamy and smooth, which will take about 2 minutes.
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Taste the glaze and if it is too sweet, you can add a pinch of salt to balance it out. Spread the creamy Nutella glaze on each cooled cookie and decorate with chopped hazelnuts, if desired.
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The Nutella glaze will set at room temperature in about 3-4 hours or quicker in the refrigerator, about 1 hour. The cookies can be enjoyed fresh!
HOW TO SERVE Soft Cream Cheese Cookies with Nutella Glaze
To serve these cookies, you can arrange them nicely on a plate for any gathering. They look lovely with a sprinkle of chopped hazelnuts on top or with colorful sprinkles for fun. These cookies are perfect for tea time, birthday parties, or holiday celebrations. You can also pair them with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee to enhance the sweet experience. They are great as a special treat for family and friends.
STORAGE & FREEZING: Soft Cream Cheese Cookies with Nutella Glaze
These cookies stay fresh when stored properly. You can keep them covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make sure they are in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
If you want to freeze the cookies, make sure they are completely cooled and then store them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer. To enjoy them later, simply take them out of the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Consider serving these wonderful cookies with various beverages. They go well with hot chocolate, tea, or even cold milk. For parties, you could set them alongside a dessert platter with other treats like brownies or mini cupcakes. You might also want to offer a scoop of ice cream on the side for an extra special treat. The creamy cookies with their Nutella glaze can be wonderfully paired with any dessert table for a sweet celebration.
VARIATIONS
There are many fun ways to switch things up with this recipe. You could add in chocolate chips or chunks to the dough for a richer, chocolatey flavor. Mixing in some lemon or orange zest would add a delightful citrus twist, too. If you love different nuts, you can add chopped walnuts or pecans to give the cookies a nice crunch. Finally, experimenting with different flavors of extracts, such as coconut or peppermint, could make for some tasty variations!
FAQs
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Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Yes, but the texture of the cookies may be different. Regular cream cheese helps create a soft and creamy texture. -
How do I know when cookies are finished baking?
Look for cookies that are lightly browned around the edges. They may look slightly underbaked in the center, but they will firm up as they cool. -
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. -
What can I use instead of Nutella?
You could try using cookie butter, chocolate ganache, or any favorite frosting to glaze the cookies.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Soft Cream Cheese Cookies with Nutella Glaze
You can certainly make these cookies ahead of time. The dough can be prepared and chilled in the refrigerator up to 2 days before baking. You can also bake the cookies, let them cool completely, and then store them in an airtight container. If you decide to freeze the cookies, make sure to prepare them as above and they will thaw nicely for up to 3 months. This way, you can enjoy fresh-tasting cookies whenever you want!
Soft Cream Cheese Cookies with Nutella Glaze
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- In another large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Add granulated sugar and beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat on high speed until well combined, about 1 minute.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until well combined.
- Divide the dough into two equal parts and roll each part out on floured parchment paper until about 1/4-inch thick.
- Dust the rolled-out dough with flour, place parchment paper on top, add the second rolled-out dough, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove dough from refrigerator, cut into shapes using cookie cutters, and place on lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 12-13 minutes until lightly browned around edges. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
- In a medium bowl, beat all glaze ingredients together until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Spread Nutella glaze on cooled cookies, adding chopped hazelnuts as desired.