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Cream Cheese Cookies with Zesty Lemon Glaze

These cookies are sure to zest up your life! They are made with cream cheese and topped with a lemon zest glaze!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Refrigeration Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 22 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16 Cookies
Author: Real Life Real Issues | The Serial Chef | Joanne Byrnes

Ingredients

Cream Cheese Cookie Dough

  • 4 oz Cream Cheese Room temperature
  • 1 stick Salted Butter Room temperature
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • ½ tsp Almond Extract
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • ½ tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 ¾ cups Cake Flour Make sure to use “cake” flour

Lemon Zest Glaze

  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Freshly Grated Lemon Zest
  • ¼ cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

Instructions

Cream Cheese Cookie Dough

  • Using an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese and butter.
  • Add the granulated sugar and mix well.
  • Add the egg, almond extract, vanilla extract and continue mixing.
  • Slowly add in the “cake” flour until totally combined.
  • Spread a piece of plastic wrap large enough to wrap the dough and sprinkle lightly with flour. Add the dough in a ball and wrap tightly.
  • Refrigerate the dough for a minimum of one hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit and place parchment paper on a large cookie sheet.
  • Make ~2 inch round balls with the refrigerated cream cheese cookie dough (TIP: the dough is sticky, sprinkle lightly with flour as you tear of the dough to make the balls) and place on cookie tray about 2 inches apart. They should not spread like other cookies.
  • Cook for approximately 10 - 12 minutes or until bottom is lightly browned. They will appear uncooked by sight on the top - this is normal! Be careful not to over cook!
  • Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before moving to cool on a cooling tray.

Lemon Zest Glaze

  • In a bowl add the powdered sugar and lemon zest. Stir with a fork. Slowly add in the lemon juice until a glaze texture is reached. Either dip the top of the cookies into the glaze or use a spoon to top the cookies.
  • Let cool before storing in an airtight container. Refrigeration is not required as long as they are consumed in a relatively short period of time.