Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese are a delightful and easy-to-make treat perfect for any occasion, offering a sweet and creamy delight that’s incredibly versatile. This recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking a delicious homemade dessert that’s both impressive and surprisingly simple to achieve.
Key Ingredients for Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional, for a hint of tang)
- Assorted toppings: fresh berries, sprinkles, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, fruit preserves
How to Make Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese:
Whip up these delightful Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese in no time for a treat that’s both incredibly easy and wonderfully satisfying. The simplicity of the cookie dough combined with the luscious cream cheese filling makes for a truly irresistible dessert experience. With a preparation time of just 20 minutes and a baking time of 10-12 minutes per batch, you’ll be enjoying these sweet delights before you know it.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat your oven and prepare your muffin tin: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or butter, or line with paper liners for easier removal.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This process usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate the wet ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Chill the dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial as it makes the dough easier to handle and prevents the cups from spreading too much during baking.
- Form the cookie cups: Once chilled, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place each ball into a prepared muffin cup and press down gently with your thumb or the bottom of a small glass to create a well in the center. You want the dough to come up the sides of the muffin cup slightly.
- Bake the cookie cups: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The cookies should still be slightly soft in the center.
- Cool the cookie cups: Let the cookie cups cool in the muffin tin for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them and placing them on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the cream cheese filling: While the cookie cups are cooling, prepare the cream cheese filling. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. If using, stir in the lemon juice for a touch of brightness.
- Fill the cookie cups: Once the cookie cups are completely cool, spoon or pipe the cream cheese filling into the wells of each cookie cup.
- Decorate your masterpieces: Get creative with your toppings! Adorn your Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese with fresh berries, colorful sprinkles, rich chocolate chips, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or your favorite fruit preserves.
Why You’ll Love This Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese:
You’ll absolutely adore these Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese for their delightfully simple yet incredibly satisfying nature, combining the buttery goodness of a classic sugar cookie with a luscious, sweet cream cheese filling. This recipe is a fantastic alternative to traditional sugar cookies, offering a charming, bite-sized vessel for all your favorite dessert enhancements. Plus, whipping these up at home is significantly more budget-friendly than purchasing similar bakery items, allowing you to indulge without breaking the bank.
The velvety smooth cream cheese frosting, perfectly complemented by the tender, slightly crisp sugar cookie base, creates a symphony of textures and flavors that’s simply divine. Whether you’re topping them with vibrant fresh berries for a touch of tartness, decadent chocolate chips, or a swirl of caramel, these cups are a canvas for your sweetest dreams. Don’t just dream about them, try making these delightful Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese today and elevate your dessert game!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
To store your delightful Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese, it’s best to keep the unfilled cookie cups or the filled cups (if toppings are stable) in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cookie cups themselves can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days if left unfilled and unfrosted. However, once they are filled with the cream cheese frosting, they are best kept refrigerated due to the dairy content to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage, where they will stay fresh for 2-3 days.
If you wish to freeze them for later enjoyment, it’s recommended to freeze the unfrosted cookie cups. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat unfrosted cookie cups, simply bring them to room temperature. If reheating frosted cups, ensure they have thawed completely in the refrigerator before serving, as reheating frosted items can sometimes cause the frosting to melt or become uneven.
Final Thoughts:
These Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese are an absolute dream for anyone who loves a sweet, creamy, and comforting treat. Their easy preparation and delightful presentation make them perfect for any occasion, so why not give them a try and add a touch of homemade magic to your day?
Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or butter, or line with paper liners for easier removal.
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This process usually takes about 2-3 minutes.1 cup unsalted butter, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial as it makes the dough easier to handle and prevents the cups from spreading too much during baking.
- Once chilled, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place each ball into a prepared muffin cup and press down gently with your thumb or the bottom of a small glass to create a well in the center. You want the dough to come up the sides of the muffin cup slightly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The cookies should still be slightly soft in the center.
- Let the cookie cups cool in the muffin tin for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them and placing them on a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookie cups are cooling, prepare the cream cheese filling. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. If using, stir in the lemon juice for a touch of brightness.8 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Once the cookie cups are completely cool, spoon or pipe the cream cheese filling into the wells of each cookie cup.
- Get creative with your toppings! Adorn your Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese with fresh berries, colorful sprinkles, rich chocolate chips, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or your favorite fruit preserves.Assorted toppings