Christmas Raspberry Cream Cookies are like taking a snowy December morning, wrapping it in butter, sugar, and berries, and turning it into a soft, festive bite. These cookies bring together everything joyful about the holiday season: the warm aroma of vanilla, the tender melt-in-your-mouth texture of a cream-based dough, and the zing of raspberry filling that gives each bite a bright, fruity sparkle.
For many home bakers, holiday cookies are more than just dessert. They are tradition. They’re a love language. They’re the edible stories that families wait for each year. These raspberry cream cookies fit that role perfectly. With their soft centers, crisp edges, and pretty ruby-red accents, they look like something straight out of a Christmas bakery window. Yet the magic is that you can easily make them at home.
What sets this cookie apart is the creamy dough enriched with butter and cream cheese. This combination creates a tender crumb and subtle tang that balances beautifully with the sweet raspberry center. When baked, the cookies puff up slightly, becoming soft pillows with a jewel-like raspberry center that sparkles like a Christmas ornament.
Whether you’re preparing dessert for a holiday party, filling cookie boxes for friends and neighbors, or simply enjoying a cozy baking day, these cookies deliver festive comfort with every bite. They freeze well, store beautifully, and always impress.
This is the kind of cookie that feels nostalgic even if you’ve never made it before. And once you bake it, it becomes the treat everyone asks for every year.
Let’s bring this holiday cookie magic into your kitchen.
For the Cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract (optional but festive)
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Raspberry Filling:
½ cup raspberry jam or seedless raspberry preserves
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickness)
For Decoration (Optional but pretty):
Powdered sugar
Christmas sprinkles
White chocolate drizzle
Instructions
Step 1: Cream the butter and cream cheese
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth, fluffy, and pale. This step is essential for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture. The mixture should look creamy and airy.
Step 2: Add sugar and beat until fluffy
Add the granulated sugar to the bowl and continue mixing. The sugar should dissolve into the fat mixture, creating a smooth base. Beat for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and whipped.
Step 3: Add the egg and flavor extracts
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it. Almond adds a nostalgic Christmas flavor, similar to classic bakery cookies. Mix until everything is fully combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
Step 4: Incorporate the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients slowly into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky. If it feels too sticky, chill for 15–20 minutes.
Step 5: Shape, fill, and bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll the dough into balls (about 1 tablespoon each). Place on the baking sheet and gently press the center of each ball with your thumb or the back of a small spoon to create an indent.
Fill the indent with about ½ teaspoon raspberry jam. Don’t overflow — a little goes a long way.
Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are just set and lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract (optional but festive)
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Raspberry Filling:
½ cup raspberry jam or seedless raspberry preserves
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickness)
For Decoration (Optional but pretty):
Powdered sugar
Christmas sprinkles
White chocolate drizzle
Preparation
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