Pin it
This soft and tender apricot cream cheese cookie recipe has become my holiday tradition, combining the perfect balance of almond-lemon flavor with sweet apricot preserves. The cream cheese in the dough creates an incredibly soft texture that melts in your mouth, while the sliced almonds add just enough crunch to make each bite interesting.
I discovered this recipe during a holiday baking marathon five years ago, and it has since become the most requested cookie at family gatherings. My mother-in-law now expects a batch whenever we visit, claiming they remind her of the European cookies from her childhood.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour: Provides structure while keeping the cookies tender
- Cream cheese: Creates an incredibly soft texture and subtle tang
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create that melt in your mouth quality
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens without overpowering the delicate flavors
- Lemon zest: Brightens the entire cookie with subtle citrus notes
- Almond extract: Enhances the nutty flavor profile
- Apricot preserves: Offer the perfect sweet fruity center
- Sliced almonds: Provide textural contrast and visual appeal
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the dry ingredients:
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined. This step ensures even distribution of leavening agents and prevents clumping in the final dough.
- Create the cream cheese base:
- Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until completely smooth with no lumps remaining. This typically takes about 2 minutes on medium high speed. The smoother your cream cheese, the more tender your cookies will be.
- Incorporate butter and sugar:
- Add room temperature butter to the cream cheese and beat until completely combined. Then add sugar and continue beating for a full 2 minutes. This extended mixing creates air pockets that help the cookies maintain their shape.
- Add remaining wet ingredients:
- Mix in egg, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and almond extract on high speed for about 1 minute. These ingredients add moisture and flavor to the dough. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate everything evenly.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients:
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined. Overmixing at this stage can develop gluten and make your cookies tough. The dough will be very sticky at this point.
- Chill the dough:
- Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 3 hours. This critical step firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
- Shape and fill the cookies:
- Roll chilled dough into 1 tablespoon balls, coat in sliced almonds, then create an indentation in each. Fill each indentation with apricot preserves. For best results, chill the shaped cookies for 10 minutes before baking.
- Bake to perfection:
- Bake at 350°F for 14-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden. The centers will look soft and the jam may appear slightly loose, but both will set as the cookies cool.
Pin it
My absolute favorite part of these cookies is the unique texture from the cream cheese. I once tried making them with a butter only base, and they were completely different cookies. The cream cheese truly creates that distinctive tenderness that makes these cookies unforgettable.
Storage Tips
These cookies stay fresh at room temperature for about 2 days when stored in an airtight container. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. The flavor actually improves after a day as the almond notes develop more fully.
If storing layers of cookies, place parchment paper between them to prevent sticking. The powdered sugar may absorb into the cookies slightly during storage, so you might want to add a fresh dusting before serving if presentation is important.
Ingredient Substitutions
While apricot preserves are traditional for this recipe, you can easily substitute other flavors. Raspberry jam creates a beautiful color contrast, while fig preserves offer a sophisticated twist. If almond extract is unavailable, vanilla extract works well as a replacement, though you'll lose some of the distinctive almond flavor.
For a dairy free version, plant based cream cheese can work, but the texture will be slightly different. Choose a high quality brand that mimics the richness of traditional cream cheese for best results.
Pin it
Serving Suggestions
These cookies shine as part of a holiday cookie platter, but they're equally delightful served with afternoon tea or coffee. For an elegant dessert, arrange three cookies on a plate with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of warm apricot preserves.
The flavor profile pairs beautifully with chamomile or Earl Grey tea. If serving for a special occasion, consider matching the jam flavor to your event theme or seasonal fruits.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I substitute apricot jam with another flavor?
Yes, you can use any jam, jelly, or preserves you prefer, such as peach, raspberry, or strawberry.
- → Why is the dough chilled before baking?
Chilling the dough prevents overspreading during baking, resulting in perfectly shaped cookies.
- → Can I skip the almond extract in the dough?
Yes, you can skip it or replace it with a splash of lemon juice or vanilla extract for a subtle flavor variation.
- → How do I store these cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- → Can these cookies be frozen?
Yes, both the dough and baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.