How to Make Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies!

Why You’ll Love These Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies!

Get ready to discover your new favorite holiday baking hack! These aren’t just any cookies; they’re your ticket to stress-free, smile-inducing, utterly delicious holiday treats. Here are four fantastic reasons why you’ll fall head over heels for these Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies:

1. Effortlessly Delicious with a Secret Weapon: Thanks to a brilliant box of yellow cake mix, these cookies come together with minimal fuss but taste like you spent hours slaving away! It’s the ultimate shortcut to homemade perfection.
2. Festively Fabulous & Fun: With a generous dose of vibrant holiday sprinkles, these cookies aren’t just delicious – they’re a visual celebration! They bring instant cheer to any plate and are super fun to make with family.
3. Creamy Dreamy Texture: The star ingredient, cream cheese, ensures these cookies are unbelievably soft, moist, and tender with a delightful tang that perfectly balances the sweetness. Forget dry, crumbly cookies; these are pure melt-in-your-mouth magic.
4. Quick & Easy from Start to Finish: From a speedy 10-minute prep to a rapid 10-minute bake time, you’ll have a batch of these delectable treats ready in under an hour (plus chilling time!). Perfect for last-minute gatherings or when a sudden cookie craving strikes!

Whip Up Some Holiday Magic with These Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies!

The holiday season is here, and with it comes the delightful aroma of fresh-baked goodies! But who says festive baking has to be complicated, messy, or time-consuming? If you’re dreaming of soft, chewy cookies bursting with holiday cheer without spending your entire day in the kitchen, then you’ve landed in the right spot! Say hello to the absolute easiest, most delightful Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies you’ll ever bake. These crinkle-style beauties are incredibly simple to make, packed with creamy flavor, and coated in a snowy dusting of powdered sugar, making them perfect for parties, gifting, or simply indulging in a cozy evening by the fire. Get ready to impress everyone with minimal effort!

Gather Your Simple Ingredients

You won’t believe how few ingredients it takes to create such deliciousness! Most of these might already be in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need to make these incredible Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies:

• 🧀 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 🧈 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 🥚 1 large egg
• 🌿 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 📦 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix (standard size)
• 🌈 1/2 cup vibrant holiday sprinkles
• ❄️ 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Cookie Perfection

Get ready to bake the most delightful Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies with these simple instructions. Follow along, and you’ll have a batch of soft, sweet, and festive treats in no time!

1. Prep Your Station: First things first, preheat your oven to a welcoming 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab two trusty baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This little trick makes cleanup an absolute breeze!
2. Creamy Dreamy Wet Ingredients: In a large, spacious mixing bowl, combine your softened cream cheese, butter, the single large egg, and that wonderful teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Grab your electric mixer and beat these ingredients together until they transform into a wonderfully smooth, uniform, and creamy mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is perfectly incorporated.
3. Introduce the Cake Mix Magic: Now, for the secret ingredient! Add the entire box of yellow cake mix to your wet ingredients. Mix it gently with your electric mixer (or even by hand with a sturdy spatula) until a thick, uniform dough comes together. The key here is to mix just enough until combined – be careful not to overmix, as that can lead to tough cookies!
4. Fold in the Festive Fun: Time for the sprinkles! Carefully fold in your vibrant holiday sprinkles. Use a spatula to gently incorporate them throughout the dough. Mix just enough to distribute them evenly, but avoid overmixing to help those beautiful colors stay bright and prevent them from bleeding into the dough.
5. Chill & Roll for Success: For easier handling and perfectly shaped cookies, cover your dough and pop it into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Once chilled, scoop the dough into generous 1.5-inch balls. Then, pour your powdered sugar into a shallow bowl and roll each dough ball generously in the sugar until it’s completely coated all around. Don’t be shy with the sugar; it creates that lovely crinkle effect!
6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Arrange your sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes. You’re looking for cookies where the edges are just lightly set, but the centers still look wonderfully soft and slightly puffed. They might not look “done” in the traditional sense, but trust us, this ensures a perfectly soft, chewy cookie!
7. Cool Down & Enjoy: Once baked, let these delicious Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes. This helps them firm up slightly before you move them. Then, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, they’re ready to be devoured! Enjoy every soft, sweet, and festive bite!

Presenting & Serving Your Festive Treats

These Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies are not just delicious; they’re also incredibly pretty! Here are some delightful ways to present and serve them, making them even more special:

• Classic Crinkle Display: Arrange them on a pretty holiday platter or a tiered dessert stand, allowing the snowy powdered sugar and colorful sprinkles to shine.
• Gift-Giving Goodness: Pack them into decorative tins, cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, or small bakery boxes. They make a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, or friends.
• Hot Chocolate Companion: Serve them alongside mugs of warm hot chocolate or a frothy latte for a cozy winter treat.
• Dessert Platter Star: Incorporate them into a larger holiday dessert spread with other treats like brownies, gingerbread, and candy canes for a vibrant assortment.
• Extra Drizzle Delight: For an extra touch of decadence, once cooled, you can drizzle them with melted white chocolate or a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a tiny bit of milk or lemon juice.
• Cookie Exchange Champion: Take them to your next cookie exchange. Their unique texture and festive appearance are sure to be a hit!

Storing Your Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies

You’ve baked a batch of irresistible Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies, but how do you keep them fresh? Here’s how to store them so they last as long as possible (which, let’s be honest, might not be very long once people discover them!):

• Room Temperature: Store your cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Placing a slice of bread in the container can help keep them soft, but be sure to replace the bread every day or two.
• Refrigeration: Because of the cream cheese, some prefer to store them in the refrigerator, especially if you live in a warmer climate or want to extend their freshness. In an airtight container, they’ll last for up to a week in the fridge. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best soft texture.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: These cookies freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They will last for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
• Freezing Dough Balls: You can also prepare the dough, roll it into balls (without coating in powdered sugar), and freeze them in a single layer until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, thaw slightly, roll in powdered sugar, and bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the baking time if needed.

FAQs About Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies

Got questions about these delightful Easy Festive Cream Cheese Cookies? We’ve got answers!

1. Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix provides a classic buttery vanilla flavor, you can experiment with white, Funfetti, or even lemon cake mix for a different twist. Just remember the flavor will change!

2. What if I don’t have an electric mixer?
You can still make these! You’ll just need a bit more arm power. Use a sturdy whisk to combine the wet ingredients until smooth, then a strong spatula or wooden spoon to mix in the cake mix until no dry streaks remain.

3. Why is chilling the dough important?
Chilling the dough helps firm it up, making it much easier to roll into balls. It also prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, resulting in a thicker, chewier cookie and allowing the powdered sugar coating to adhere better.

4. How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for edges that are lightly set and just barely beginning to turn golden. The centers should still look soft and slightly puffy. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.

5. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
For the best texture and flavor, full-fat cream cheese is highly recommended. Low-fat versions can alter the texture and moisture content of the cookies.

6. What kind of sprinkles are best?
Any vibrant holiday sprinkles will work! Nonpareils, jimmies, or even small edible glitter can add a lovely festive touch. Avoid very large or chunky sprinkles, as they might melt too much or be difficult to incorporate.

7. My powdered sugar coating disappeared after baking. What happened?
This usually happens if the cookies spread too much or if they weren’t rolled generously enough in powdered sugar. Ensure your dough is properly chilled and roll each ball very thickly in the powdered sugar right before baking.

8. Are these cookies good for gifting?
They are absolutely perfect for gifting! Their festive look and delicious flavor make them a wonderful homemade present. Just be sure to package them in an airtight container.

9. Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, you can! Simply substitute the standard yellow cake mix with a gluten-free yellow cake mix. Ensure all other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

10. How long does the dough need to chill?
At least 30 minutes is ideal, but you can chill it for up to 2 hours or even overnight if you’re prepping ahead. If chilling overnight, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before scooping, as it will be quite firm.