Cream Cheese Meltaway Cookies Recipe

Fluffy Cream Cheese Meltaway Cookies Recipe That Amaze All

Sweet, buttery cream cheese meltaway cookies bring pure comfort to any dessert table.

These delicate treats practically dissolve on your tongue with each delightful bite.

Sugar-dusted and impossibly soft, the cream cheese meltaway cookies promise a melt-in-your-mouth experience that delights from the first moment.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet elegant recipe with ease.

Rich butter and smooth cream cheese combine to create an irresistible texture that makes these cookies truly special.

The delicate crumb and powdered sugar coating elevate this classic cookie to something extraordinary.

Prepare to fall in love with a cookie that feels like a warm hug from your favorite bakery.

Why Meltaway Cookies Are So Loved

  • Enjoy incredibly soft, delicate cookies that practically dissolve on your tongue with their smooth, creamy consistency.
  • Perfect for holiday gatherings, birthday parties, or casual weekend dessert cravings with simple decorative options like sprinkles.
  • Create a delectable cream cheese frosting that transforms basic cookies into a show-stopping dessert with minimal decorating skills required.

What Goes Into These Creamy Cookies

Main Ingredients:

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that provides a smooth texture and delicious flavor to the cookies.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds a tangy richness and helps create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.
  • Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient that gives the cookies their basic form.
  • Cornstarch: Helps create an incredibly tender and delicate cookie texture.
Sweetening Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the smooth, melt-away texture of the cookies.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookies.
Frosting Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Creates a rich and creamy base for the frosting.
  • Butter: Adds smoothness and depth of flavor to the frosting.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps thicken the frosting.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic, sweet flavor to the frosting.

Additional Ingredients:

Finishing Touches:
  • Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
  • Food Coloring (Optional): Allows for festive customization of the frosting.
  • Sprinkles (Optional): Provides a decorative and fun finishing touch to the frosted cookies.

How to Make Cream Cheese Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats, creating a perfect surface for your delightful cookies.

Step 2: Whip Up the Base

In a mixing bowl, blend together:
  • Softened butter
  • Cream cheese
  • Vanilla extract

Beat the mixture on medium speed until it becomes smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.

The consistency should look light and fluffy.

Step 3: Sweeten the Mixture

Gradually fold in powdered sugar.

Mix until the ingredients are perfectly combined and create a uniform texture.

Step 4: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, gently mix:
  • Flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt

Stir these ingredients to ensure even distribution of the cornstarch.

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Components

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter mixture.

Mix until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets.

Use a flat-bottomed glass dipped in powdered sugar to gently flatten each cookie.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place cookies in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Look for cookies that are set but not browned.

After removing from the oven, let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 8: Create Dreamy Frosting

In a clean mixing bowl, blend:
  • Softened cream cheese
  • Softened butter
  • Vanilla extract

Beat until smooth.

Gradually add powdered sugar and continue mixing until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Optional: Add a drop of food coloring for extra flair.

Step 9: Decorate and Enjoy

Once cookies are completely cool, spread a generous layer of frosting on top.

Sprinkle with decorative toppings if desired.

Serve and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

  • Leave butter and cream cheese at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free blending.
  • Use exact measurements for cornstarch to maintain the delicate texture of these meltaway cookies, preventing them from becoming too dense.
  • Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professionally made.
  • Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to prevent breaking, as they're delicate when warm.
  • Spread cream cheese frosting when cookies are completely cool to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, beautiful finish.

Storing and Enjoying Meltaway Cookies

  • Store frosted cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep refrigerated to maintain cream cheese frosting's freshness and prevent spoiling.
  • Place undecorated cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper separating layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before adding frosting.
  • Arrange frosted cookies on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Store frozen frosted cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight.
  • Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore softness. Allow cookies to cool completely before serving to maintain texture and flavor.

Sweet Pairings for Cream Cheese Cookies

  • Pair Decadent Cream Cheese Meltaway Cookies with
  • Elevate Beverage Harmony: Pair these delicate cookies with a smooth chai latte, which complements the creamy vanilla undertones and adds warm spice notes that dance alongside the cookie's buttery texture.
  • Match Complementary Flavor Profile: Serve alongside a chilled glass of moscato wine, its sweet and light character perfectly balancing the rich cream cheese frosting and providing a luxurious dessert experience.
  • Create Textural Contrast: Enjoy with a strong espresso or cappuccino, where the coffee's robust intensity cuts through the cookie's sweetness and highlights its delicate, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
  • Surprise Flavor Combination: Accompany with a sparkling elderflower mocktail, which introduces a subtle floral essence that enhances the cookie's vanilla and cream cheese flavors while offering a refreshing counterpoint.

Flavor Swaps for Meltaway Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies safe for those with gluten sensitivities. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Swap butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives like vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese. Use coconut cream or cashew cream for a rich, creamy texture.
  • Low-Sugar Version: Substitute powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia in both the cookie and frosting. This reduces overall sugar content while maintaining a sweet flavor profile.
  • Chocolate Lover's Adaptation: Mix cocoa powder into the dry ingredients for chocolate cookies. Add melted dark chocolate to the frosting for an extra decadent treat that chocolate enthusiasts will adore.

FAQs

  • Why do I need cornstarch in this recipe?

Cornstarch helps create an incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture for the cookies. It makes the cookies softer and more delicate compared to traditional cookie recipes.

  • Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty. The cream cheese and butter already provide a rich, balanced flavor.

  • How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies should look set but not browned. They’ll be very pale and slightly firm to the touch. Don’t overbake, as they should remain soft and delicate.

  • What's the best way to store these cream cheese meltaway cookies?

Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Print
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Cream Cheese Meltaway Cookies Recipe

Cream Cheese Meltaway Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Irresistible cream cheese meltaway cookies promise a delicate dance of buttery sweetness that melts effortlessly on your palate. Rich, tender rounds of pure comfort bring classic baking joy straight to your cookie plate.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (226 grams) softened butter
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) softened cream cheese
  • 1 cup (120 grams) flour
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) cornstarch

Sweeteners:

  • 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons (12.5 milliliters) vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment at 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure even baking and prevent sticking.
  2. Combine softened butter, cream cheese, and vanilla extract in a mixer bowl. Blend on medium speed until the mixture transforms into a smooth, homogeneous texture, approximately 2 minutes.
  3. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar into the creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly until fully integrated and achieving a consistent composition.
  4. In a separate mixing bowl, gently whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
  5. Carefully fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, blending until the dough becomes cohesive and naturally separates from the mixer bowl’s sides.
  6. Deposit rounded dough portions onto prepared baking sheets, using a powdered sugar-coated glass bottom to delicately flatten each cookie.
  7. Position cookies in the preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until set but not browned. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for initial cooling before transferring to a wire rack.
  8. Craft the frosting by whipping cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract until achieving a silky consistency. Progressively add powdered sugar, continuing to blend until the frosting becomes light and airy.
  9. Once cookies have completely cooled, generously spread frosting across each cookie surface. Optional: Embellish with decorative sprinkles for added visual appeal.

Notes

  • Soften dairy ingredients at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before starting to ensure smooth, creamy mixing and perfect texture.
  • Use high-quality cream cheese with minimal water content to prevent excess moisture in cookie dough and maintain ideal consistency.
  • For gluten-free variation, substitute all-purpose flour with 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, keeping cornstarch measurement identical.
  • Chill dough for 15-20 minutes before shaping if mixture feels too soft, helping cookies maintain structured shape during baking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Clara Thompson

Clara Thompson

Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Developing accessible single-serving recipes, Food writing and content creation, Plant-based and allergen-friendly cooking, Culinary education and workshop facilitation

Education

​Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)
Diploma in Culinary Arts

Specialized in plant-based cooking and sustainable kitchen practices.​

Portland Community College
Certificate in Food Writing and Media

Focused on recipe writing, food photography, and digital content creation.​


Clara’s food journey began with a curiosity for color, texture, and ingredients pulled straight from the garden. Her background in plant-forward cooking and creative writing gives her a unique edge – she makes healthy, flavorful food feel inviting, not intimidating.
She specializes in meals that work for busy lives and different diets, all without sacrificing taste. Clara’s voice comes through in every recipe she writes – clear, kind, and encouraging.

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