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    Home Recipes Cookies and Bars

    Gluten Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

    Published: Mar 30, 2021 by Sandi Gaertner · 12 Comments · As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    sprinkle cookie pinterest pin

    If you love soft, flavorful cookies, these homemade gluten free cream cheese sugar cookies will quickly become your favorite! They are fun to make, just grab your favorite sprinkles!

    A stack of cream cheese sugar cookies with rainbow sprinkles.
    Jump to:
    • Why these cookies are so good:
    • Ingredient notes:
    • Recipe step-by-step directions:
    • Expert TIPS and Recipe FAQ:
    • More delicious gluten free cookies:
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Fearless Dining
    • 💬 Comments

    For years before we went gluten free, we used to get cream cheese and sugar cookies from the local bakery. When we went gluten free, I forgot about them. Now I question why because the cream cheese adds such a delicious smooth creaminess to these cream cheese sprinkle cookies.

    One of the keys to this recipe is almost stealthy. Many don't realize that some sprinkles are made in facilities that process wheat. It is important to know which sprinkles are gluten free. Check this list of gluten free sprinkles to make sure your sprinkles are gluten free if you plan to use them to make these cookies.

    A gluten free cream cheese sugar cookie coated in red and green sprinkles on a plate.

    These cookies are hard to resist, and you can vary the color of sprinkles you use depending on the holiday. Use red and green for Christmas, pastels for spring and Easter, or orange and black for Halloween!

    If you love cookies as much as we do, check out all of my easy Gluten Free Cookie Recipes!

    Why these cookies are so good:

    These butter sprinkle cookies seem to melt in your mouth. They are soft sugar cookies that are rolled in colorful sprinkles. Kids love to make these because they get to use their hands to roll the cookies into balls, then roll them again in the sprinkles.

    If you want more fun cookie recipes that involve your hands, give these Gluten Free Russian Tea Cookies or these Gluten Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipes a try!

    A sprinkle cookies on a cookie sheet. One has a bite taken out.

    Are you ready to try this easy gluten-free cream cheese sugar cookie recipe? Grab your ingredients!!

    Top Pick
    King Arthur, Measure for Measure Flour 3 lbs
    King Arthur, Measure for Measure Flour 3 lbs

    This is one of my favorite gluten-free flour blends for cookies, cakes, pie crust, biscuits, and muffins! (Do not use this flour blend for yeast recipes.)

    Buy Now
    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

    Ingredient notes:

    Photos of the cream cheese sugar cookies ingredients.
    • Gluten free flour blend - I tested this recipe using Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend and King Arthur's Measure for Measure Gluten Free Blend. That doesn't mean others will not work; I just have not tested other flours.
    • Xanthan gum - If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add one teaspoon.
    • Cream cheese - I recommend using full-fat cream cheese. This recipe will work with vegan cream cheese if you are trying to make this recipe dairy-free as well.
    • Butter - To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter.
    • Sprinkles - As mentioned above, make sure to read the label to ensure yours are gluten free. (* Note that Wilton sprinkles are made on shared equipment.)

    Recipe step-by-step directions:

    The cream cheese sugar cookies photos of steps 1 and 2.

    Step 1: Add all your dry ingredients (except the sprinkles!) to a large mixing bowl and use a whisk to blend.

    Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to a smaller bowl and whisk to blend.

    Many ask can use a standing mixer to make this cookie recipe. That is fine if you prefer a standing mixer for this cookie recipe. Just add the wet ingredients to the bowl. Mix it at low speed for 2 minutes. Slowly add the dry ingredients until all of the dry ingredients are mixed in.

    The cream cheese sugar cookies photos of steps 3 and 4.

    Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix. You may notice little bits of cream cheese, but that is okay! They work as you mix your dough.

    Step 4: This is what your cookie dough will look like.

    The cream cheese sugar cookies photos of steps 5 and 6.

    Step 5: Use a small cookie scoop to get cookie balls. Roll them into circles and put them onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.

    Step 6: Pour some sprinkles into a shallow dish. Roll each cookie dough ball in the sprinkles. Use the bottom of a drinking glass to press the cookies down.

    Step 7: Bake the cookies for 8-9 minutes until done. Enjoy!!

    The a cooling rack with sprinkles cookies.

    If you are looking for another delicious bite-sized treat, try my baked Gluten Free Cannoli Bites, too!

    Expert TIPS and Recipe FAQ:

    Can you make these cookies dairy-free?

    You can easily make them dairy-free with vegan cream cheese and butter.

    Can you use different sprinkles?

    You can, but many sprinkles will melt when baked. I use the little round sprinkles pictured above, which will hold their shape through baking.

    How do you know when the cookies are done baking?

    The cookies will be slightly golden. Note the cookies may feel soft when touching them with your finger, but they firm up as they cool.

    How long will these cookies keep?

    These cookies will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an air-tight container.

    Can you freeze these cream cheese sugar cookies?

    You can definitely freeze them. They should keep fresh for 4 months in the freezer. I freeze mine by placing them into a Zipper freezer bag.

    More delicious gluten free cookies:

    • Cut maple walnut bars. One is tilted sideways so you can see the inside.
      Irresistible Maple Walnut Cookie Bars
    • A bowl filled with scoops of edible cookie dough.
      Edible Gluten Free Cookie Dough {Dairy-Free Option!}
    • The top view of a plate of gluten free chocolate chip biscotti.
      Gluten Free Biscotti: An Easy Base For Your Favorite Mix-Ins
    • Baked gluten free cake mix cookies on a baking tray.
      Quick and Easy Gluten Free Cake Mix Cookies

    📖 Recipe

    sprinkle cookies on a cookie sheet. One has a bite taken out

    Gluten Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

    Sandi Gaertner
    These soft homemade gluten free cream cheese sugar cookies are just made for sprinkles!! Quick and easy.
    4.94 from 15 votes
    gluten free allergy icon
    nut free allergen icon
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    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 9 minutes mins
    Total Time 19 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 22 cookies
    Calories 156 kcal

    *As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowls
    • Cookie sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ¼ cups gluten free flour blend * see note
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ¼ cups sugar
    • 2 eggs large
    • ¼ cup cream cheese * see note
    • 10 tablespoons butter * see note
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ⅓ cup sprinkles

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
    • In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients and whisk to blend.
    • In a smaller bowl, add your wet ingredients and mix. *Soften the butter and cream cheese until almost liquid so they blend in easier.
    • If you prefer to use a standing mixer, add the wet ingredients to the bowl. Mix on low and build the speed up to medium. Whip for 1 minutes.
    • Slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing on low.
    • Use a cookie scoop to scoop out cookies and roll with your hands into balls. Line them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
    • Take each ball and roll it in the sprinkles and place back on the cookie sheet.
    • Take a flat bottom glass and press each ball to ¼ to ⅓ inch thickness.
    • Bake for 9 minutes. Remove when they are baked and allow to cool on a rack.

    Notes

    1. I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
    2. If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
    3. To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter and use a vegan cream cheese.
    4. It is critical to make sure you use gluten free sprinkles. Some are made on shared equipment so check to make sure your sprinkles are gluten free.
    5. These cookies will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.

    SPECIAL NOTE

    Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 156kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 122mgPotassium: 11mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 215IUCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
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    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Deborah G

      February 22, 2023 at 11:59 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe; easy and fun to make! My only comment is I wonder if I could increase the cream cheese (while reducing butter I assume) to get more of that flavor.

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        February 22, 2023 at 12:48 pm

        Hi Deborah. I am glad you love the cookies. That is a great question about the cream cheese. In theory, it should work. I will have to test more cream cheese and less butter the next time I make the recipe.

        Reply
    2. Beth

      February 12, 2023 at 9:26 pm

      5 stars
      Made these today rolled in sanding sugar instead of sprinkles because I prefer the sugar. They turned out amazing! So soft and fluffy. This is my new favorite cookie recipe

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        February 13, 2023 at 10:56 am

        I am thrilled you loved these cookies. I will have to try the sanding sugar next time I make them :-).

        Reply
    3. Jdr

      May 17, 2022 at 11:13 am

      4 stars
      Used my own gf flour blend. Turned out good and fluffy.

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        May 17, 2022 at 11:15 am

        I am really glad you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    4. Bunny Thompson

      January 25, 2022 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      I made the cookies with my own gluten free flour blend. White rice flour,potato starch.tapicopa starch and pamelas zanthan gum sub. Also using monk fruit instead of sugar and no sugar sprinkle. The cookies came out fantastic. Looking beautiful and tasting wonderful.
      Thanks so much

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        January 25, 2022 at 10:44 am

        They sound delicious. I am so glad you came back to let us all know monk fruit sweetener worked. I get asked about it a lot.

        Reply
    5. Lisalia

      March 30, 2021 at 11:59 pm

      5 stars
      Such a delicious and creamy flavor. I haven't made cream cheese cookies before. And I won't stop now. Thanks for this delicious new cookie recipe!

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        March 31, 2021 at 9:41 am

        I am so glad you are enjoying them Lisalia. You made my day coming back to let me know.

        Reply
    6. Helga

      March 30, 2021 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      I'm loving the King Author flour. What a great recipe and the sprinkles make them so fun!

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        March 31, 2021 at 9:40 am

        I find their gluten free 1 to 1 blend is so easy to use in recipes. I am glad you enjoy it as well 🙂

        Reply

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    Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you are here. If you have Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance, or a wheat allergy, you've come to the right place for delicious recipes. I have years of extensive experience in gluten free recipe development, and I am excited to help you. I am a seasoned gluten free recipe developer and I test recipes multiple times with multiple gluten free flour blends so you know what works. I specialize in creating easy, family-friendly recipes that rival their gluten-filled counterparts.

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