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Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies

Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies are delightfully delicate and delicious!

stack of Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies on wax paper

Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies

I have quite the soft spot for all things cream cheese, from a simple way to top a bagel to a decadent cheesecake. And it’s also an excellent addition to one of my favorite things to bake: cookies!

These Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies are very dainty and delicate. They’re soft, sweet, and, most importantly, very, very good.

Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies on a gray surface

Besides the sweet, tangy flavor of cream cheese, these cookies also benefit from some crunchy macadamias. I tend to bake with other nuts more often, but there are times when macadamia nuts are just the perfect addition to a baking recipe.

For a little added flavor, there’s also a bit of orange zest in these cookies. That citrus twist really makes these cookies something special. All of those flavors come together in a way that makes these seemingly simple cookies an absolute delight.

Tips for Success

  • Measure accurately. If possible, use a kitchen scale to measure by weight. Otherwise, use the spoon and sweep method to make your measurements as accurate as possible.
  • Use a light-colored baking pan. Dark pans can lead to cookies that spread too much and over-baked cookie bottoms.
  • Bring the cream cheese to room temperature. Cream cheese usually needs to be a little warmer than butter for making a smooth mixture, so give it a head start on your countertop before gathering the rest of your ingredients.
  • Chill the dough. That time in the refrigerator will help make the cookies the right shape and texture.
  • Don’t over-bake. These cookies should be done when you see light browning around the edges.
stack of Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies on a gray surface

If you’re looking for a simple cookie with good flavor and easy preparation, these Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies certainly fit the bill. And they make a big batch, so you’ll have plenty to share with your cookie-loving friends!

Find more cookie recipes in the Recipe Index.

Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies

Yield about 4 dozen cookies
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes

Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies are dainty, delicate, and delicious! There's nothing better than a chewy macadamia cookie packed with macadamia nuts and a hint of orange zest!

Stack of Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies on a gray surface.

Ingredients

  • 1 & 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 ounces (226g) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (150g) firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • zest of 1 orange
  • 3/4 cup (96g) coarsely chopped macadamia nuts

Instructions

  1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla and orange zest.
  3. Reduce mixer speed to low. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined or a few streaks of flour remaining. Stir in the macadamias.
  4. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour or up to overnight.
  5. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.
  6. Drop the chilled dough by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the prepared pan, leaving about 2 inches between cookies. Slightly flatten the top of each of cookie.
  7. Bake, one pan at a time, 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned.

Notes

Recipe slightly adapted from The Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook.

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    One Comment on “Cream Cheese Macadamia Cookies”

  1. hi! New to your blog… everything looks so tempting!! I’ve never heard of cream cheese cookies, but I will have to try these sometime! I love cream cheese too.. Usually, I just bake from a mix, but maybe when I have some more time, I will explore.

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