Name: Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces unsalted butter softened (2 sticks); 4 ounces cream cheese softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 egg yolk; 1 teaspoon orange zest; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 2 ½ cup all-purpose flour; Colored sugars; Sprinkles; Gel food coloring

There's something utterly charming about the crisp edges and buttery melt-in-your-mouth texture of spritz cookies — especially when they're lifted to a new level with a tangy cream cheese twist. This Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe brings out that perfect balance of rich creaminess and delicate crumb that's irresistible at any holiday gathering or cozy tea time.

The image shows a white plate with three colorful Christmas cookies on top arranged closely together. The front cookie is shaped like a green Christmas tree, with layers forming the branches and sprinkled with green sugar. Behind it to the left is a cream-colored snowflake cookie sprinkled with red sugar, and to the right is a bright red star-shaped cookie also sprinkled with red sugar. The plate sits on a white marble surface, and in the background there is a glass of milk and an out-of-focus cooling rack with more cookies. The cookies have a soft, slightly textured surface with piped details. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe — the dough was so soft and dreamy, it practically begged me to snack before baking! But the real delight came out of the oven, with cookies that offered that classic spritz snap, subtly enhanced by cream cheese for a delicate tang. You'll find yourself going back for just one more.

Rich yet light texture: Cream cheese adds moisture without weighing down the cookies, giving you a tender bite every time.
Flavor depth: The hint of orange zest perfectly complements the vanilla and prevents things from being too sweet.
Customizable and fun: You can color and decorate these cookies any way you want — great for making seasonal shapes or festive sparkles!
Beginner-friendly despite looking fancy, this recipe is straightforward and forgiving once you get the hang of the dough consistency.

The image shows a large mix of Christmas cookies in three shapes and colors stacked closely together on a white marbled surface. There are green Christmas tree-shaped cookies with textured lines and green sugar sprinkles, cream-colored snowflake-shaped cookies decorated with red and green sprinkles and red sugar dust, and bright red flower-shaped cookies with detailed petal textures and sprinkled with red sugar crystals. The cookies are layered with some overlapping each other, creating a full and colorful festive display. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Getting to know these ingredients really helped me appreciate this recipe more. Each one plays a key role in nailing that classic spritz texture and flavor, with cream cheese being the secret that ups the softness. Here’s why I love each component and a few tips to pick the best options.

Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter, a wedge of cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a single whole brown egg, a small white bowl with fresh orange zest, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl of coarse kosher salt, a mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, and a small white bowl filled with colorful sprinkles and colored sugar crystals, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Provides richness and structure. I always use softened butter at room temperature — it creams best this way.
Cream cheese: Adds moisture and a subtle tang that keeps the cookies from feeling too heavy.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps with that delicate crisp edge when baked.
Egg yolk: Binds the dough and enriches flavor without extra moisture that white could add.
Orange zest: Brightens the flavor with a fresh citrus note. Fresh zest is best; avoid dried zest for less bitterness.
Vanilla extract: Classic flavor enhancer that deepens the overall taste.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all other flavors.
All-purpose flour: Gives structure. I recommend sifting or whisking flour to keep it light and avoid lumps.
Decorations (colored sugars, sprinkles, gel food coloring): Make these cookies festive and fun while adding a bit of crunch or sparkle.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. You can play with different colors and shapes or even swap flavorings to make it your own tradition. Feel free to get creative!

Variation: I once mixed in some almond extract instead of vanilla — gave the cookies a lovely nutty fragrance that's perfect for wintertime.
Dietary tweaks: For a lighter version, you can try substituting part of the sugar with a natural sweetener like maple syrup, but keep an eye on the dough texture.
Seasonal changes: Add finely chopped dried cranberries or sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a cozy twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar

I start by making sure my butter and cream cheese are softened but not too melty — they should yield easily when pressed. Using a paddle attachment on medium speed, I cream them together with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides once or twice to get everything evenly combined, or you might end up with lumps of cream cheese hiding around the bowl!

Step 2: Add the Egg Yolk, Zest, and Flavorings

Next, I add the egg yolk, orange zest, vanilla, and salt to the mix. I beat this again for about a minute until smooth. The egg yolk adds richness, and the orange zest always makes the kitchen smell amazing—it’s such a nice twist on the classic vanilla cookie.

Step 3: Gently Incorporate the Flour

Flour is added in two parts to avoid airborne clouds! I mix in half at a low speed until just combined, then the rest follows. The dough will be soft and pliable but not sticky — perfect for pressing through your cookie press or piping bag.

Step 4: Color and Decorate the Dough (Optional)

If you want colorful cookies, now’s the time to add gel food coloring. I often split the dough into a few bowls to make multiple shades — it's always a hit with family and friends! Just knead the color gently into each portion.

Step 5: Pipe the Cookies and Bake

Using a cookie press fitted with your favorite shape, pipe the cookies onto a parchment-lined sheet, spacing about an inch apart to allow for slight spreading. If you don’t have a cookie press, a pastry bag with a large star tip works just as well. Top with colored sugar or sprinkles before baking. Bake in a preheated 325°F oven for 10-12 minutes until the cookies look set but haven’t started browning. Let them cool briefly on the pan, then transfer to wire racks to finish cooling completely.

Top Tip

After making many batches, I learned a few things that really help this recipe shine every time. These little details can save you a lot of frustration and bring out the best texture.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened properly, but not melting. This ensures your dough creams smoothly without becoming greasy.
Mixing Speed Matters: Cream at medium speed, then switch to low when adding flour to avoid a flour dust cloud in your kitchen.
Don’t Overbake: Watch the cookies closely between 10-12 minutes—they should never brown, just set. This keeps them tender with that classic spritz snap.
Cool Between Batches: Let your baking sheets cool completely before pressing more dough—warm pans cause cookies to spread more than you want.

How to Serve Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe

Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often keep it simple with a sprinkle of colored sugars or nonpareils because they add that festive touch without overpowering the flavor. For special occasions, I sometimes melt a little white chocolate and drizzle it over the cookies, then add crushed peppermint or edible glitter for the wow factor — everyone loves that extra sparkle!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a variety of warm beverages. I like serving them alongside a cup of milky chai or strong black coffee. In colder months, a hot cocoa bar with these cookies for dunking makes for a cozy gathering. If it’s brunch, they’re delightful with a fresh fruit salad and a spread of cream cheese-based dips.

Creative Ways to Present

One fun way I've presented these has been arranging different colored spritz cookies into wreath shapes on a festive platter — perfect for holiday parties. You can also sandwich two cookies together with homemade jam or frosting to make easy, elegant treats. Wrapping small bundles with a ribbon is a thoughtful way to gift them too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies store wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I find layering them between sheets of parchment paper prevents sticking and keeps their shape crisp. Just avoid humid spots to retain their delicate texture.

Freezing

I love making big batches and freezing the dough pre-shaped on cookie sheets. Once frozen, transfer the dough discs or shapes to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen by adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time. This is a lifesaver during busy holiday seasons!

Reheating

If you want freshly baked vibes the next day, pop your cookies in a 300°F oven for just 3-5 minutes to refresh their crispness without drying them out. Microwave reheating tends to make them too soft, so the oven method is my go-to for that just-baked feel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?

Low-fat cream cheese can be used, but the cookies may turn out less tender and less rich. The fat content in full-fat cream cheese contributes significantly to the texture and flavor, so I recommend sticking with the regular kind for best results.

How do I prevent my spritz cookies from spreading too much?

To stop spreading, make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened but not overly warm or melted. Also, cool your baking sheets between batches and bake at the recommended temperature. Overmixing once flour is added can also cause spreading, so mix just until incorporated.

Can I make these cookies without a cookie press?

Absolutely! If you don’t have a cookie press, you can use a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip to pipe the cookie dough directly onto your baking sheet. The dough is quite soft and pliable, so this works really well.

How long do cream cheese spritz cookies keep fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and delicious for up to one week. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies in a sealed bag or container for up to 2 months.

Final Thoughts

I hope this Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe becomes a favorite in your kitchen like it is in mine. There’s something so satisfying about the ease of piping out beautiful shapes, the gentle tang of cream cheese in every bite, and the warm memories that come with sharing these treats. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or just a cozy afternoon, these cookies never fail to bring smiles.