Heavenly Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Soft, pillowy apricot cream cheese cookies bring unexpected joy to afternoon tea times.

Sweet hints of fruit dance through creamy textures that melt delicately on your tongue.

Summer orchards whisper their magic into each tender bite.

Cream cheese ensures rich, velvety smoothness across every delectable morsel.

Simple ingredients combine effortlessly to create something extraordinarily satisfying.

You will will adore how quickly these treats come together.

These cookies promise pure comfort in every single crumb.

FAQs

• What gives these cookies their unique flavor?

The combination of cream cheese, lemon zest, and almond extract creates a rich, tangy base, while the apricot jam adds a sweet and fruity burst of flavor.

• Can I use a different type of jam?

Absolutely! While apricot jam works wonderfully, you can substitute it with other fruit preserves like raspberry, peach, or strawberry to match your taste preferences.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping and baking. This helps the butter solidify and prevents excessive spreading, resulting in more uniform cookies.

• Are these cookies difficult to make for beginners?

Not at all! These cookies are relatively simple to prepare. The key is to follow the recipe steps carefully and not overmix the dough when combining wet and dry ingredients.

Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies With Soft Bites

• Quick Weekend Baking Delight: These apricot cream cheese cookies offer a delightful weekend baking project that's simple and rewarding.
• Beginner-Friendly Recipe: Perfect for novice bakers, the recipe requires basic mixing techniques and minimal specialized skills to create professional-looking cookies.
• Versatile Treat for Any Occasion: Elegant enough for afternoon tea parties yet casual enough for family gatherings, these cookies adapt to multiple social settings with their sophisticated flavor profile.
• Customizable Gourmet Touch: The optional almond and powdered sugar garnish allows home bakers to elevate the presentation, making the cookies feel extra special without complicated extra steps.

What You Use For Apricot Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookies, soft and light when measured correctly.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and create a soft, tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Cream Cheese: Adds richness, moisture, and tangy flavor to the cookie base.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates a tender, soft texture and rich buttery taste.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a golden, crisp cookie exterior.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure to the cookie dough.

• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes to complement the apricot flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic, warm background flavor.
• Almond Extract: Provides delicate, nutty undertone.
• Apricot Jam or Preserves: Main filling that adds fruity sweetness and moisture.
• Sliced Almonds: Optional topping for added crunch and nutty flavor.
• Confectioners Sugar: Optional delicate dusting for decorative finish.

Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F.

Cover baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

This setup ensures perfect cookie baking conditions.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.

Set this mixture aside for later use in creating the perfect cookie base.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In a large bowl, blend softened cream cheese and butter until silky smooth.

Add granulated sugar and beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

This step creates the rich, tender foundation of your cookies.

Step 4: Add Flavor Boosters

• Egg
• Lemon zest
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are fully combined and create a harmonious blend.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients.

Stir gently until just combined.

Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender and light.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Balls

Scoop tablespoons of dough and roll into neat balls.

Place them on prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Step 7: Create Jam Centers

Use your thumb or a small spoon to make a gentle indentation in the center of each cookie ball.

This creates a perfect pocket for the apricot jam.

Step 8: Fill with Apricot Goodness

Carefully fill each cookie center with apricot jam.

The jam will create a delicious surprise in the middle of each cookie.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a light golden color.

Watch carefully to avoid over-browning.

Step 10: Cool and Finish

Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For an extra touch of elegance, sprinkle sliced almonds and dust with confectioners’ sugar if desired.

Smart Ideas for Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies

• Leave cream cheese at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free texture.
• Create a deeper, slightly wider indentation to keep apricot jam from bubbling out during baking.
• Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain neat round edges.
• Swap apricot jam with raspberry, strawberry, or peach preserves for delightful flavor variations.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies tender and prevent tough, dense results.

How To Store And Reheat Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies

• Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep them cool and away from direct sunlight.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper separating layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Warm cookies gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft, fresh-from-the-oven texture. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy results.
• Check for moisture or jam separation before serving. Discard if cookies smell off or show signs of staleness.

Sweet Add-ons for Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies

Pair Sweet Apricot Cookies with Complementary Flavors

• Sip Lavender Earl Grey Tea: Delicate floral notes of lavender and bergamot beautifully enhance the sweet apricot and creamy cookie base, creating a sophisticated taste experience.
• Match with Moscato Wine: Light, sweet white wine with hints of peach and citrus perfectly complements the cookie's fruity jam and rich cream cheese texture.
• Serve alongside Almond Biscotti: Crunchy nutty biscotti echoes the almond extract in the cookies, providing a delightful textural contrast and extending the subtle almond flavor profile.
• Enjoy with Vanilla Bean Gelato: Smooth, creamy gelato with pure vanilla essence balances the tangy apricot and rich cream cheese, creating a luxurious dessert pairing.

Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe Ways to Change the Flavor

• Gluten-Free Apricot Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies: Substitute dairy cream cheese with plant-based cream cheese, use egg replacer or mashed banana, and swap butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
• Low-Sugar Apricot Cookies: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and choose a low-sugar apricot jam to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining flavor.
• Nutty Fruit Variation: Swap apricot jam with raspberry or peach preserves, and replace sliced almonds with chopped pistachios or walnuts for a different nutty profile.

Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet dreams come true with homemade Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies, blending tangy fruit and creamy richness into delightful bite-sized treats. Delicate and irresistible, these cookies will transport you to a world of pure culinary comfort.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups (313g) all-purpose flour
• 6 ounces (170g) full-fat brick cream cheese
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 6–7 tablespoons (120-140g) apricot jam or preserves

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (95g) sliced almonds (optional)
• 3 tablespoons (23g) confectioners sugar for dusting (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare workspace by heating oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating the dry ingredient foundation.
3. Cream together softened cream cheese and butter until achieving a smooth, uniform texture.
4. Incorporate granulated sugar into the cream cheese mixture, whipping until achieving a light, airy consistency.
5. Blend egg, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and almond extract thoroughly into the creamy base.
6. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until ingredients are just integrated without overmixing.
7. Craft uniform dough balls using a tablespoon, positioning them evenly across prepared baking sheets with generous spacing.
8. Create gentle indentations in each cookie’s center using a thumb or small spoon, preparing space for apricot jam filling.
9. Delicately spoon apricot jam into the center of each cookie, ensuring even distribution.
10. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges indicating perfect doneness.
11. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, facilitating initial cooling and structural stabilization.
12. Transfer cookies to wire rack for complete cooling, allowing jam to set and texture to develop.
13. Optionally embellish cooled cookies with scattered sliced almonds and a delicate dusting of confectioners’ sugar.

Notes

• Swap out traditional flour for gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour to make these cookies celiac-friendly.
• Reduce sugar content by using natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit for a low-glycemic version.
• Experiment with different fruit jams like raspberry or peach for unique flavor variations that complement the cream cheese base.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create more uniform, aesthetically pleasing cookies.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 70mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg