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Home » Baking

Easy Holiday Cream Cheese Cookie Recipe PLUS a Huge Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

Making cookies for Santa couldn't be easier than my favorite Holiday Cream Cheese Cookie Recipe. If Santa is on his way, make up one batch of dough and turn it into 4 different cookies!
Cream-Cheese-Cookies-Recipe-Everyday-Southwest-1
The only thing I love more than a plate full of cookies is a HUGE giveaway packed with gift cards from Amazon!  Well... maybe a few other things...

I am proud to share the 4th Annual Christmas Week with you! This year, I am joining this amazing group of over 35 food bloggers to bring you every Holiday recipe you can dream of to make your gatherings with family and friends memorable and delicious.

Oh, and did I say, "giveaway?"  GIVEAWAY!!!  3 WINNERS!  3 PRIZES!  LOTS OF CASH!

Be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the post for ALL the details and recipe!

Christmas Week Giveaway Everyday Southwest

Here is a note from our fearless leader, Kim!

Welcome to Day 1 of Christmas Week. This annual event was started in 2012, and is hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic. This year we have over 35 bloggers sharing festive sweet recipes for the event. Plus we all chipped in for a huge Amazon Gift Card Giveaway so be sure to enter!

 

Participants for Christmas Week:

Cravings of a Lunatic

Desserts Required

Poet in the Pantry

The Redhead Baker

Pineapple and Coconut

All Roads Lead to the Kitchen

Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Cooking on the Front Burner

The Little Ferraro Kitchen

Crumb: A Food Blog

The Bitter Side of Sweet

Amee's Savory Dish

Comfortably Domestic

Food Done Light

Farm Fresh Feasts

Flour On My Face

Mother Would Know

Food Lust People Love

My Catholic Kitchen

Daily Appetite

Try Anything Once Culinary

That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Savory Experiments

Cooking In Stilettos

Food Babbles

Mind Over Batter

Rants From My Crazy Kitchen

Lauren Kelly Nutrition

Big Bear's Wife

Everyday Southwest

From Gate to Plate

Karen's Kitchen Stories

Savoring Italy

Dixie Chik Cooks

The Tomato Tart

Aloha Flavor

CopyKat Recipes

Each of these participating bloggers will be sharing some of their favorite Holiday recipes throught this week. So, head on over to check out their amazing recipes! Here are the recipes for Day 1—

Recipes from Day 1 of Christmas Week! Please visit all our talented participants:

Pistachio Brittle from Cravings of a Lunatic

coconut-lemon-raspberry-bundt-cake-christmasweek from Desserts Required

Peppermint Bark from Poet in the Pantry

Eggnog Pound Cake from The Redhead Baker

quince-cranberry-and-persimmon-crisp-christmasweek from Pineapple and Coconut

Chocolate Fruit 'n Nut Bites from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen

Fancy Chocolate Covered Marshallows from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

gluten-free-cranberry-orange-coffee-cake from Cupcakes and Kale Chips

Christmas Cookies from Cooking on the Front Burner

Marzipan Fruits from The Little Ferraro Kitchen

Eggnog Truffles from Crumb: A Food Blog

Peppermint Fudge from The Bitter Side of Sweet

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes from Amee's Savory Dish

Gingerbread Cake with Orange Cream Glaze from Comfortably Domestic

Christmas Sweets and Treats from Food Done Light

Spiked Hot Cocoa Gift Mix from Farm Fresh Feasts

Chanukah Olive Oil Cookies from Mother Would Know

Coconut Pralines from Food Lust People Love

Blueberry Overnight Sweet Rolls from My Catholic Kitchen

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies from Daily Appetite

Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps from Try Anything Once Culinary

Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Dark Chocolate Almond Cheesecake Cups from Savory Experiments

Bourbon Soaked Eggnog Cake from Cooking In Stilettos

Ginger Snap Cocktail from Food Babbles

Coquito Cinnamon Roll Bundt from Mind Over Batter

No-Bake Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen

Easy White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge from Big Bear's Wife

Authentic Mexican Marranitos or Gingerbread Pigs from Everyday Southwest

Gingerbread Oatmeal Creme Pies from From Gate to Plate

Molasses Ginger Cookies from Karen's Kitchen Stories

Apricot Spice Biscotti from Savoring Italy

Christmas Cocktail from Dixie Chik Cooks

Coconut Bars from The Tomato Tart

Spiced Macadamia Cashew Brittle from Aloha Flavor

See's Fudge from CopyKat Recipes

 

Cream-Cheese-Cookies-Recipe-Everyday-Southwest-2

Giveaway Rules and Eligibility:

Coming at Noon Eastern Time today!

Just use this Rafflcopter for easy ways to enter our Christmas Week Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cream-Cheese-Cookies-Recipe-Everyday-Southwest-3

 

4.5 from 8 reviews
Easy Holiday Cream Cheese Cookie Recipe
 
Print
Author: Sandra Hoopes
Recipe type: Dessert
Ingredients
  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) regular cream cheese, room temperature
  • 16 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla (or any flavoring you wish, I used spiced rum with the citrus)
  • 4 cups flour, sifted
  • ½teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup finely chopped macadamia nuts (or nuts of your choice)
  • ½ cup finely chopped candied orange peel (optional, may use dried currents or chopped, dried cranberries)
  • ½ cup seedless raspberry jam (or jam of your choice)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and the butter together until fluffy. Add the sugar beat another minute. Add the vanilla and mix well.
  3. Measure the flour by spooning it into a measuring cup and level off the top with the back of a butter knife. Sift the flour and add to the cream cheese mixture a little at a time while mixing on low speed.
  4. Divide the dough into 3 sections. Remove one third of the dough and form into a disk. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Add the citrus peel and macadamia nuts to the other two sections as desired. Shape those sections of dough into separate disks, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 to 40 minutes.
  5. Roll out each disk on a lightly floured cutting board to about ¼ inch thick. Cut into shapes. Cut one disk into 1 ½ to 2 inch circles and one into 1 inch by 2 ½ inch rectangles. Shape the remaining disk into small 1 ½ inch balls and press your thumb into the middle of each ball to make “thumbprint” cookies.
  6. Roll the sides of some of the thumbprints in chopped nuts. Spoon a tiny bit of jam or marmalade into the center of the thumbprint.
  7. Bake the different shapes on separate pans so that they will cook evenly.
  8. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes depending on the size or thickness of the cookies. Start checking the dough after 12 minutes. Remove when lightly brown and cool on wire racks.
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« Apple Pie Pancake Dippers
Cream Puffs with Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe Plus a HUGE Amazon Gift Card Giveaway »

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leilani

    December 07, 2015 at 5:57 am

    Your photos are so lovely! It's been a couple years since I've made thumbprints but I love them. Favorite cookie now is plain ol' gingerbread men. Yum!

    Reply
  2. Kellie Smith

    December 07, 2015 at 1:02 pm

    OMG this recipe sounds delicious!! I cannot wait to go through all of your recipe links!!

    Reply
  3. Liz

    December 07, 2015 at 4:47 pm

    Such a delicious, versatile cookie dough! Perfect for the holidays!

    Reply
  4. kelly nicholson

    December 07, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    What is your favourite sweet treat to make for the holidays?

    mostly just pumpkin pie,but i also like a nice corrot cake..thanks

    Reply
  5. Kim @ This Ole Mom

    December 07, 2015 at 6:02 pm

    Woah. your cookies look amazing . the recipe sounds wonderful. I pinned it.

    Reply
  6. Sue E

    December 07, 2015 at 9:48 pm

    That is a tough one, because every year we try to make something new & than I change my mind AGAIN!!
    I think pecan pie is one of my favorites.

    Reply
  7. Debbie Clauer

    December 08, 2015 at 3:59 am

    I love to make soft chocolate cookies with caramel icing. From scratch with my mom's recipe.

    Reply
  8. laurie

    December 08, 2015 at 5:25 am

    Cookies are my favorite treat for the holidays!

    Reply
  9. laurie

    December 08, 2015 at 5:30 am

    I only see three cookies in the instructions?

    Reply
  10. Melissa M

    December 08, 2015 at 5:54 am

    I like to make fudge.

    Reply
  11. rita leonard

    December 08, 2015 at 6:17 am

    my favorite cookie is butter spritz cookies like my mother used to make at the holidays. I make them now and remember my mom

    Reply
  12. Cathy French

    December 08, 2015 at 7:01 am

    We love making buckeyes for the holidays and sharing with loved ones.

    Reply
  13. Heather B

    December 08, 2015 at 7:29 am

    This year I am adding Cherry Blossoms to our Christmas Baking.

    Reply
  14. Fee Roberts

    December 08, 2015 at 8:46 am

    I love making Coconut Cream pies, and Christmas cookies with my grandchildren.

    Reply
  15. Charlene S.

    December 08, 2015 at 10:00 am

    My favorite to make is pecan pie. Everyone in my family enjoys eating it 🙂

    Reply
  16. Barrie

    December 08, 2015 at 10:42 am

    I love making Russian Teacakes although they never taste as good as when grandma made it!

    Reply
  17. Ann L

    December 08, 2015 at 11:24 am

    I love baking pecan pie.

    Reply
  18. Connie Lee

    December 08, 2015 at 12:51 pm

    I like making sugar cookies with sprinkles.

    Reply
  19. Ellie C.

    December 08, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    I love to make cherry kiss cordial cookies.

    Reply
  20. Sarah L

    December 08, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    I like to make divinity for the holidays.
    Thanks for the contest.

    Reply
  21. jan

    December 08, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    cookies!

    Reply
  22. belinda bell

    December 08, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    I love making different kinds of cookies for the holidays.

    Reply
  23. Bethany

    December 08, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    Anise cookies

    Reply
  24. JC Marc

    December 08, 2015 at 7:24 pm

    I love candy canes. I use them in all my holiday treats.

    Reply
  25. Adriana Gonzalez

    December 08, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    I like to make Peppermint Fudge Bars.

    Reply
  26. rebeccabasset

    December 09, 2015 at 1:27 am

    Ohh these look so YUMMY! I would have to say that Eggnog in a Recipe for Cookies , and Bread Pudding is my Favorite Recipe!

    Thanks so much for the Post, and the Recipes + Giveaway!

    Reply
  27. laurie

    December 09, 2015 at 4:08 am

    I only see three different cookies in the instructions? Am I missing something?

    Reply
  28. rebeccabasset

    December 09, 2015 at 5:50 am

    These Cookies look so delicious, thanks so much for the Post, Giveaway, and the Recipes!

    Reply
  29. Kelly

    December 09, 2015 at 8:15 am

    Ummm.... these look and sound amazing! I love cream cheese too, so this cookie recipe is a win-win!

    Reply
  30. Cristy Ridey

    December 11, 2015 at 12:11 am

    I love making peppermint bark!

    Reply
  31. Michelle Macaluso

    December 13, 2015 at 8:28 pm

    I love to make jam cookies with my daughter. They are my favorite!!

    Reply
  32. Kelley H

    December 15, 2015 at 12:08 am

    I love making Peppermint cheesecake.

    Reply
  33. Patt K

    December 21, 2015 at 9:21 am

    My favorite holiday sweet to make is English Tea Cookies.

    Reply
  34. Dorothy Boucher

    December 21, 2015 at 9:39 am

    I love my peppermint bark and my apple pie
    @tisonlyme143

    Reply
  35. Amy Orvin

    December 21, 2015 at 11:03 am

    I love to make sugar cookies and decorate them with sprinkles for the holidays.

    Reply
  36. Laura Lanza

    December 21, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    Little nut roll cookies - must better than the actual big nut roll.

    Reply
  37. Sue Sattler

    December 21, 2015 at 2:47 pm

    I found a recipe on Facebook for Christmas Crack after Thanksgiving and decided to try it. One of my son's isn't really big on sweets and he asked if I could make it again for Christmas. So right now, that is our favorite. 😀

    Reply
  38. Kirsten

    December 21, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    Sandy,
    I'm a big fan of multitasking doughs. Heck, I divvied up my Finnish pulla dough, which usually makes 3 massive loaves, a bit smaller to make 5 medium sized loaves to give to my neighbors. One mixer load, 5 gifts. Love it!
    I've made orange chocolate chip cookies using a cream cheese dough--such a nice flavor combo--and I just love the simplicity and versatility of this dough.
    Thanks!

    Reply
  39. TAMARA

    December 22, 2015 at 12:26 am

    I LIKE TO MAKE SNOWBALL COOKIES AND FUDGE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

    Reply
  40. Sarah Phillips

    December 22, 2015 at 12:15 pm

    My favorite sweet treat to make for the holidays is a Rice Krispy Wreath! I make one every year and my family goes crazy for it. Here's a link to a picture of last year's: https://www.instagram.com/p/xAndM-CwrE/

    Reply
  41. Shakeia Rieux

    December 22, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    I love to make sweet potato pies and peach cobbler

    Reply
  42. Kim Beaulieu

    December 23, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    I love these cookies. Nothing beats a simple cream cheese cookie during the holidays. Thanks again for joining us this week.

    Reply
  43. Dana Matthews

    December 25, 2015 at 3:48 am

    I love making sugar cookies!

    Reply
  44. Laura @MotherWouldKnow

    December 25, 2015 at 12:43 pm

    This is such an incredibly versatile cookie dough. I love how the cookies look so different one from the other, but come from the same base.

    Reply
  45. Sarah L

    December 27, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    Huh? Was down to 3 hours left, then POOF! Now it's down to 3 days left?????? I had it in my file as ending 12/27, not 12/30.

    Reply

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Hi, Welcome to Everyday Southwest.

I'm Sandy, a Southwest born and raised girl who loves cooking it's food and sharing it's culture.

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