Cream Cheese Cookies

78 comments

5 from 1116 votes
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These cream cheese cookies are so chewy, gooey, and made with just 5 simple ingredients! Made in just one bowl, they take minutes to make!

cream cheese cookie recipe.

Ever tried making cookies with some unique ingredients? We do that often here.

We’ve tried using alternative flours (like almond and coconut) and not using any sugar at all (like in keto chocolate chip cookies). However, to change up your cookie game, add cream cheese to the batter and make cream cheese cookies! 

Why this recipe works

  • No flour. Just like peanut butter cookies and almond butter cookies, these are flourless, but you’d never tell. 
  • Just 5 ingredients. Count them yourself; and they are simple ones at that. 
  • No chilling required. Most cookie recipes require some chill time but not these ones!

What we love about this recipe is just how fast they are to make! From prep to plate, they come together in under 15 minutes! 

Ingredients needed

  • Cream cheese. Softened to room temperature. Dairy free cream cheese can also be used. 
  • Peanut butter. Smooth peanut butter, with no added sugar. 
  • Sugar of choice. I like using brown sugar, but white or raw sugar works. 
  • Baking soda. Helps the cookies from overspreading. 
  • Eggs. room temperature eggs are best. 
  • Vanilla extract. Optional, but highly recommended for any good cookie recipe!

How to make cream cheese cookies

Start by mixing all your ingredients in a large mixing bowl until combined. Next, use a cookie scoop to scoop out heaping two-tablespoon portions of the dough and place on a lined baking sheet.

Now, bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan completely. 

cream cheese sugar cookies.

Tips to make the best recipe

  • If you’d like thicker cookies, you can chill the dough for 45 minutes before baking them. 
  • Do not over-bake the cookies, as they continue to firm up while they are cooling down. 
  • Avoid using low fat or reduced fat cream cheese, or your cookie dough will be super soft and lose stability once baked.

Dietary swaps and substitutions

The beauty of these cookies is just how easy they are to customize to a plethora of diets out there. Here are some tested options: 

  • Cut the carbs. For a keto cookie option, replace the sugar with either a brown sugar substitute or allulose. 
  • Make it eggless. If you follow a vegan or egg free diet, try using an egg substitute
  • Add some mix-ins. While delicious on their own, fold through some chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of chocolate. 
  • Make it dairy free. This works just as well with dairy free cream cheese. 

Storage instructions

  • To store: Leftover cookies can be stored at room temperature, covered, for up to 5 days. If you’d like them to keep longer, store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  • To freeze: Place cookies in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. 
cream cheese cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cream cheese cookies need to be refrigerated?

No, these cookies don’t need to be refrigerated as the cream cheese acts like a fat element (like butter).

Which cream cheese is best?

Cream cheese from a block is the best option as it does not contain added water or fillers.

cream cheese cookies recipe.

Cream Cheese Cookies (5 Ingredients)

5 from 1116 votes
These cream cheese cookies are so chewy, gooey, and made with just 5 simple ingredients! Made in just one bowl, they take minutes to make!
Servings: 12 Cookies
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 17 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients and mix well, until combined.
  • Using a cookie scoop or a large spoon, scoop out heaping 2 tablespoon portions of the cookie dough and place them on the lined tray. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pan completely.

Notes

TO STORE: Leftover cookies can be stored at room temperature, covered, for up to 5 days. If you’d like them to keep longer, store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
TO FREEZE: Place cookies in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 198kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 7gFat: 18gSodium: 257mgPotassium: 172mgFiber: 3gVitamin A: 277IUCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 2g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. I’ve made these twice now and we love them, I use Philadelphia cream cheese and natural peanut butter with only peanuts in the ingredients.

  2. 5 stars
    These cookies are delicious!! They’re perfect!! They taste just like my Grandma’s peanut butter pie without the guilt!! I’ve never been able to duplicate her pie recipe so I’ve definitely missed it until I bit into this cookie today!! Thank you so much for this delightful recipe!! Yum!!😋

  3. 5 stars
    Sooo good! I discovered your website searching for gluten-free cookie recipes and have been trying out a few for the past months and every one of them is amazing. Thank you so much.

  4. 5 stars
    Wow!! Amazing recipe, thanks sooooo much! I’m new to keto and was looking for a good dessert recipe, this is beyond satisfying!

  5. 5 stars
    Loved these soft cookies which I used almond butter instead of peanut and much less sweetener. Will definitely make again

  6. These are super yummy. I did forget the baking soda but will remember it next time. The cookies did not hold up well. The fell spare even after fully cooled.

  7. 5 stars
    Absolutely loved these. Been on my Low Carb journey for about two months and have been really craving cookies. I didn’t have any peanut butter on hand so I used a low sugar honey almond butter from my pantry. Turned out so delicious and flavorful! Watch the kind of cream cheese you are using because it can affect the texture of the final cookie. Thanks for a great recipe.

  8. 5 stars
    I used almond butter and lill’s sugar free milk chocolate mini morsels and these were the best keto cookies by far I’ve ever eaten. Thank you so much!!!!!!

  9. This is my second day making these in less than a week!!! I especially love the simplicity. Keto is high fat so you are feeling full most of the time and these are light enough to kill your cravings but not make you sick. They do need to cool all the way as the recipe says but I followed it exactly and both times are on point!! So happy you shared this!

  10. Love you recipes!!! They are soo good and easy to make. To make this vegan, can I substitute the eggs for flax eggs?

      1. 5 stars
        These were good, but i think i was craving something different. I was hoping for chewy, not just soft, as mine came out. I’ve always liked your recipes. Perhaps i just need a different cookie recipe to try 😌

  11. 5 stars
    Hi Arman, I was having a cookie craving last night and came across this recipe. I hit the jackpot. 12 huge, delicious cookies and one is plenty for me with my tea at night. Thank you for sharing this delicious and easy recipe…

  12. Great recipe!! I substituted tahini and a bit of hemp seeds
    Thanks for sharing. Holiday baking is tricky on the keto lifestyle lol