There are some Christmas cookies that show up once a year… and then there are the cookies that announce the holidays. These Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies — Red & Green Holiday Edition belong to the second group. They’re soft, buttery, lightly tangy from the cream cheese, and topped with cheerful red and green sprinkles that make them look like they were rolled straight out of Santa’s workshop.
Because this recipe uses cream cheese in the dough, these cookies bake up with a uniquely soft interior that stays tender for days. And since they only need simple holiday sprinkles to look gorgeous, they’re ideal for busy December bakers who want maximum festive impact with minimal effort.
Even better? This recipe comes from the same family of treats as the classic Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies, but with a more festive shape, a richer vanilla base, and that unmistakable red-and-green sparkle:
https://ilikerecipes.com/cream-cheese-christmas-cookies/
This Red & Green Holiday Edition brings all the same comfort — and then takes the aesthetic up a notch so your dessert trays look ready for a Hallmark movie.
Whether you’re setting out a cookie platter for guests, baking for school events, hosting family gatherings, or filling holiday tins for gifts, these cookies deliver holiday magic every single time.
Cream cheese works wonderfully in many holiday desserts, including this festive hit:
https://ilikerecipes.com/peppermint-white-chocolate-fudge-no-bake/
When paired with red and green sprinkles, the dough becomes the perfect canvas for holiday color.
❄️ Why Cream Cheese Makes These Cookies So Soft
The secret to these cookies is the ingredient most people forget can go into cookie dough: cream cheese. While many holiday cookies rely solely on butter, this dough uses a blend of butter and cream cheese to create an ultra-tender texture.
Here’s why cream cheese works so beautifully:
✔ Adds moisture
Cream cheese keeps the dough soft without making it greasy.
✔ Prevents over-spreading
The dough holds its shape, giving the cookies that cozy puff.
✔ Adds extra richness
The slight tang highlights the vanilla and balances the sweetness.
✔ Creates long-lasting softness
These cookies stay tender for days — ideal for gifting and storing.
🎁 Ingredients for Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies Red & Green Holiday Edition
These ingredients are simple, classic, and easy to find — but every one plays a key role in the cookie’s signature texture.
| Ingredient | Amount | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | ½ cup | Adds richness and structure |
| Cream cheese | 4 oz | Ensures moisture and tenderness |
| Granulated sugar | ¾ cup | Sweetens and helps browning |
| Egg | 1 | Binds the dough and adds structure |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tbsp | Provides deep holiday flavor |
| All-purpose flour | 1¾ cups | The structural base |
| Baking soda | ½ tsp | Adds lift and softness |
| Baking powder | ½ tsp | Helps puff the cookies |
| Salt | ¼ tsp | Balances sweetness |
| Red & green sprinkles | As needed | Holiday flavor + decoration |
🎄 How to Make Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies Red & Green Holiday Edition
Below is the recipe, expanded with tips to help bakers avoid common holiday cookie mistakes.
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
This prevents sticking and helps cookies bake evenly.
2. Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese & Sugar
Beat softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
Why this step matters
Creaming incorporates tiny air pockets that help the cookies rise.
Skip this — or rush it — and the cookies will be dense instead of pillowy.
3. Add the Egg and Vanilla
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
A whole tablespoon of vanilla might seem like a lot, but it gives these cookies that warm, comforting holiday flavor that makes them unforgettable.
4. Add Dry Ingredients
Whisk together:
-
Flour
-
Baking soda
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Baking powder
-
Salt
Then add the mixture to the wet ingredients.
Pro tip:
Mix just until a dough forms.
Overmixing develops gluten and makes the cookies tougher.
5. Shape the Dough
Roll dough into small balls, about 1 tablespoon each.
Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
6. Bake
Bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges are set.
A crucial tip:
Do not wait for the tops to brown.
Cream cheese cookies should stay pale and soft — that’s their signature texture.
7. Sprinkle & Cool
Once baked, let the cookies cool fully before adding sprinkles.
Why sprinkles go on AFTER baking
If added before baking:
-
They melt
-
They bleed color
-
They lose their shape
Sprinkling them after cooling keeps the colors clean, bright, and festive.
❄️ Why Red & Green Sprinkles Make These Cookies Pop
Holiday sprinkles aren’t just decoration — they add crunch, color, and personality.
Red and green sprinkles specifically create:
✔ Christmas color contrast
The bright colors stand out beautifully against pale cream-cheese dough.
✔ Kid-friendly holiday appeal
Children are instantly drawn to red-and-green treats.
✔ Photography-ready presentation
The colors look stunning on holiday trays and dessert tables.
✔ Low-effort decorating
Sprinkles eliminate the need for frosting or piping work.
These cookies shine on dessert boards next to treats like:
• White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Bars
https://ilikerecipes.com/white-chocolate-cranberry-cookie-bars-holiday-edition/
• Caramelized Butternut Squash with Feta, Walnuts & Cranberry Honey Glaze
https://ilikerecipes.com/caramelized-butternut-squash-feta-walnuts-cranberry-honey-glaze/
Together, they create a holiday spread that looks thoughtful, intentional, and beautifully balanced.
🎅 How to Make Perfect Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies Every Time
Even though this recipe is simple, the following tips guarantee bakery-quality cookies.
✔ Use room-temperature butter AND cream cheese
Cold ingredients won’t cream properly.
✔ Don’t overmix
Stop as soon as the flour is absorbed.
✔ Don’t overbake
Remove cookies while still pale with lightly set edges.
✔ Chill the dough (optional but helpful)
If your kitchen is warm, chill 15–20 minutes for puffier cookies.
✔ Use parchment, not foil
Parchment makes cookies softer and prevents overbrowning.
🎄 Fun Variations You Can Try
These cookies are endlessly customizable. Here are reader-favorite twists:
⭐ Red Velvet Christmas Cookies
Add 1 tablespoon cocoa + red gel food coloring.
⭐ Sprinkle-Stuffed Cookies
Mix sprinkles INTO the dough for double color.
⭐ Almond Christmas Cookies
Replace 1 tsp vanilla with ½ tsp almond extract.
⭐ Frosted Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Top with white buttercream and extra sprinkles.
⭐ Santa’s Cinnamon Cookies
Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the dough for warmth.
❄️ Serving Ideas for Holiday Trays
These cookies fit beautifully into:
🎁 Christmas cookie boxes
They hold shape well and don’t crumble easily.
🎄 Holiday dessert boards
Their bright colors make them a visual anchor.
☕ Cocoa or coffee platters
They pair nicely with warm drinks.
🍽 Winter brunch spreads
Serve beside muffins, fruit bowls, or pastry baskets.
🎉 Classroom or office celebrations
They’re soft, safe, and universally loved.
🎁 Storage & Gifting Tips For These Red and Green holiday cookies
At room temperature:
Keep 3–4 days in an airtight tin.
Refrigerator:
Lasts up to 7 days and stays soft.
Freezer:
Freeze baked cookies or raw dough balls for up to 2 months.
For gifting:
Place cookies between parchment layers to preserve sprinkles.
❄️ FAQs
Why are my cream cheese cookies flat?
Your butter or cream cheese was too warm. Try chilling the dough slightly.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
It works, but cookies will be softer and may spread more.
Why did my sprinkles melt?
Sprinkles must be added after baking for this recipe.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — this dough scales perfectly.
Can I use Christmas nonpareils instead of jimmies?
Yes, but nonpareils have stronger dye and may bleed if mixed into the dough.
🌟 Final Thoughts
These Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies — Red & Green Holiday Edition are the kind of holiday treat that instantly makes people smile. They’re soft, buttery, easy to make, beautifully festive, and packed with the creamy vanilla flavor that defines Christmas baking.
Whether you’re gifting them, serving them on dessert trays, or enjoying them fresh from the oven with a holiday movie playing in the background, these cookies bring warmth and joy to every bite.