Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling

Welcome to Quirky Kitchen Café, where cozy treats meet playful twists and every recipe is designed to make you smile. Today we are sharing Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling, a dessert that combines buttery soft cookies with rich, creamy frosting for a bite-sized hug in every cup.

If cookies had a party, these little cups would be the life of it. They are perfect for holidays, celebrations, or just a sweet pick-me-up on any day of the week.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

These cookie cups are soft, chewy, and filled with luscious cream cheese frosting. Baking the cookies in a muffin tin creates a perfect cup for the filling, while the gentle indentation after baking ensures the frosting sits snugly in the center.

At Quirky Kitchen Café, we love recipes that are playful, indulgent, and a little unexpected. These cookie cups fit that perfectly, with endless possibilities for toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips, or crushed candy.

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie Cups

• 1 cup softened butter

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 2 eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or paste

• 3 cups flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder (1/2 + 1/4 tsp)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons milk

Cream Cheese Frosting Filling

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 5 tablespoons softened butter

• 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 | Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners. This will ensure your cookie cups release easily after baking.

Step 2 | Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.

Step 3 | Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until fully combined. Add milk and stir until the dough is smooth and slightly soft.

Step 4 | Scoop and Bake Cookies

Scoop cookie dough into the prepared muffin tin using about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons per cup. Bake at 375°F for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft. Let the cookie cups cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5 | Make the Cream Cheese Frosting Filling

While the cookie cups are cooling, beat together cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then stir in vanilla extract. The frosting should be thick enough to pipe or spoon into the cookie cups without running.

Step 6 | Create Indentations and Fill

Once the cookie cups are completely cooled, press the center of each cookie gently with the back of a spoon or a small measuring spoon to create a shallow indentation. This will hold the cream cheese frosting perfectly.

Spoon or pipe the frosting into the indentations. Fill each generously for a decadent treat. Optional: top with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or crushed candy.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cookie cups at room temperature for soft, chewy cookies with creamy frosting. They pair wonderfully with a glass of milk, coffee, or hot chocolate. They are also perfect for parties, gift boxes, or holiday celebrations.

Tips for Perfect Cookie Cups

• Do not overbake: The centers should stay soft.

• Room temperature ingredients: Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened for smooth mixing.

• Even sizing: Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookie cups that bake evenly.

• Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.

Fun Variations

• Add mini chocolate chips or toffee bits to the cookie dough for extra flavor.

• Swap vanilla extract for almond extract for a subtle nutty twist.

• Make mini versions for bite-sized desserts perfect for parties.

• Top with festive sprinkles for holidays or celebrations.

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Recipe Card | Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling

Servings: 18–24 cookie cups

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Bake Time: 9–11 minutes

Total Time: 35–40 minutes

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie Cups:

• 1 cup softened butter

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 2 eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or paste

• 3 cups flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder (1/2 + 1/4 tsp)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons milk

Cream Cheese Frosting Filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 5 tablespoons softened butter

• 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease or line a muffin tin.

2. Beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

3. Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients. Add milk and stir until smooth.

4. Scoop dough into muffin tin. Bake 9–11 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool in tin 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

5. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla extract.

6. Press the center of each cooled cookie to create an indentation.

7. Spoon or pipe cream cheese frosting into cookie cups. Optional: top with sprinkles, chocolate chips, or crushed candy.

8. Serve and enjoy!