Imagine sinking your teeth into soft, tender cookies that boast a delightful tang from creamy Greek yogurt, perfectly balanced with a luscious layer of smooth cream cheese frosting. The Greek Yogurt Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is an irresistible treat that combines moist texture and rich flavors, making it a standout dessert for any occasion. These cookies are not only easy to make but also offer a refreshing twist on classic cookie recipes, promising a bite that’s both comforting and exciting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple yet essential ingredients will set you up for cookie success. Each element plays a crucial role—from the creamy tang of Greek yogurt to the rich smoothness of cream cheese—working together to create the perfect harmony of taste, texture, and color.
- Unsalted butter (75 g, room temperature): Adds richness and helps achieve that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar (200 g): Sweetens the dough and helps with browning for a delightful golden finish.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses the cookies with a warm, inviting aroma.
- Egg (1, room temperature): Binds ingredients and adds moisture for a soft crumb.
- Greek yogurt (120 g, creamy full fat, room temperature): Provides moisture and a subtle tang that makes these cookies stand out.
- All-purpose flour (185 g, sifted): The base of the cookie, giving structure and balance.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies puff up just right.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet flavors while balancing the tanginess.
- Cream cheese (300 g, full fat): The key to the luscious frosting, adding creaminess and flavor depth.
- Mascarpone (100 g, full fat): Boosts richness in the frosting, making it irresistibly smooth.
- Powdered sugar (50 g, sifted): Sweetens and thickens the frosting for perfect piping consistency.
How to Make Greek Yogurt Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Whip the butter and sugar
Start by taking your room temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar and whipping them together with an electric hand mixer. The goal here is a light and fluffy mixture—this step is where the air gets incorporated, leading to beautifully soft cookies.
Step 2: Add the egg, vanilla, and Greek yogurt
Next, whip in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Then gently fold in the creamy Greek yogurt, which adds moisture and a slight tang, ensuring your cookies don’t dry out and have a delightful depth of flavor.
Step 3: Incorporate the dry ingredients
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then fold this mixture into your wet ingredients with a rubber spatula. Be careful not to overmix here—just combine until no dry streaks remain, so your cookies stay tender and light.
Step 4: Prepare the baking sheets
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a spoon or a cookie scooper, divide the dough into 10 or 11 portions, spacing the cookies well apart to give them room to puff up during baking.
Step 5: Chill the dough
Place the baking sheets with cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling step ensures the cookies keep their shape while baking and enhances their texture.
Step 6: Bake the cookies
Preheat your oven to 175℃ (350°F) without fan, then bake the cookies for about 14 minutes. Keep a close eye—when done, the bottoms will be fully baked and golden, while the tops remain pale and soft, which is just perfect for these tender treats.
Step 7: Cool the cookies
Allow your cookies to rest on the baking sheets for a few minutes after baking, then carefully transfer them to a cooling rack. This ensures they set up properly before frosting.
Step 8: Prepare the cream cheese frosting
Whip together the full-fat cream cheese, mascarpone, and sifted powdered sugar with an electric hand mixer for 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy and pipeable. Stop as soon as it reaches the right consistency to prevent separation—this frosting is the cloud-soft crown these cookies deserve.
Step 9: Frost and decorate
Fill a piping bag fitted with your favorite nozzle tip and pipe the frosting generously atop each cookie. For an extra touch of whimsy and fun, sprinkle a few colorful sprinkles or edible decorations over the frosting.
How to Serve Greek Yogurt Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
The beauty of this frosting is that it pairs beautifully with a variety of garnishes. Fresh berries or a dusting of lemon zest can add a hint of brightness, while a sprinkle of cinnamon or crushed nuts gives a cozy, flavorful twist.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine alongside a cup of rich coffee or a soothing cup of herbal tea. You might also offer them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming party platter, arrange the frosted cookies on a tiered serving tray, alternating with fresh fruit and edible flowers. You can also sandwich two cookies together with extra frosting for cute, mini ice cream sandwiches that wow guests and family alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Greek Yogurt Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe treats, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for 2 to 3 days, maintaining their soft texture and creamy frosting.
Freezing
To freeze these cookies, separate frosted and unfrosted ones. Freeze the unfrosted cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. For frosted cookies, freeze on a tray, then wrap carefully to avoid smudging the frosting. Thaw in the fridge when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
Warm unfrosted cookies briefly in a microwave or oven to bring back freshness before frosting. Avoid reheating frosted cookies to prevent melting the cream cheese frosting, which is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.
FAQs
Can I use non-fat Greek yogurt instead of full-fat?
Using non-fat Greek yogurt can work, but full-fat Greek yogurt adds richness and moisture that truly elevate the texture and flavor of these cookies. For the best results, stick with creamy full-fat Greek yogurt.
Is it necessary to chill the cookie dough before baking?
Yes! Chilling the dough helps the cookies keep their shape and prevents spreading during baking, resulting in a perfect balance of soft texture and gentle puffiness.
Can I substitute mascarpone in the frosting?
If mascarpone is unavailable, you can replace it with an equivalent amount of cream cheese, but mascarpone provides a silkier, richer frosting that complements the cookies beautifully.
How long will these cookies stay fresh?
When stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, these cookies will stay fresh and delicious for 2 to 3 days. The Greek yogurt helps keep them moist during this time.
What’s the best way to pipe the cream cheese frosting?
Use a piping bag fitted with a medium-sized round or star nozzle for a neat, attractive swirl. Piping takes advantage of the frosting’s creamy texture and makes each cookie look as delightful as it tastes.
Final Thoughts
These Greek Yogurt Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe are a true delight for the taste buds and a joy to bake at home. They bring together comfort and a refreshing twist that’s perfect for sharing with friends or treating yourself to something special. Trust me, once you try them, these cookies will quickly become one of your favorite sweet adventures in the kitchen!
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Greek Yogurt Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 34 minutes
- Yield: 11 cookies
Description
These Greek Yogurt Cookies are a delightful treat combining a tender, fluffy cookie base with a creamy, rich cream cheese frosting. Made with full-fat Greek yogurt and a touch of vanilla, these cookies offer a subtle tang balanced by sweetness. Perfect for any occasion, they are refrigerated before baking to enhance their texture and paired with a luscious mascarpone frosting for an indulgent finish.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 75 g Unsalted butter (Room temperature)
- 200 g Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 Egg (Room temperature)
- 120 g Greek yogurt (Creamy full fat yogurt, room temperature)
- 185 g All purpose flour (Sifted)
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 300 g Cream cheese (full fat, e.g. Philadelphia, 33%+ fat)
- 100 g Mascarpone (full fat, 41%+ fat)
- 50 g Powdered sugar (Sifted)
Instructions
- Prepare the cookie dough: Using an electric hand mixer, whip the room temperature unsalted butter with granulated sugar for several minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, continuing to blend thoroughly. Fold in the Greek yogurt gently to maintain the airy texture.
- Combine dry ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Carefully fold these into the wet butter mixture using a rubber spatula until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape and chill: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a spoon or cookie scooper to portion out 10 to 11 cookie dough balls, spacing them adequately to allow for expansion. Refrigerate the cookie dough for a minimum of 1 hour to firm up and improve texture during baking.
- Preheat oven and bake: Set your oven to 175℃ / 350°F (non-fan setting). Bake the chilled cookies for approximately 14 minutes. Watch carefully; the bottoms should be fully baked while the tops remain pale and soft.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to rest a few minutes on the baking sheets before transferring them carefully to a cooling rack to prevent breakage.
- Prepare the frosting: Whip together cream cheese, mascarpone, and powdered sugar with an electric hand mixer for 2-3 minutes until it reaches a fluffy, pipeable consistency. Stop whipping immediately to avoid the frosting becoming runny.
- Decorate the cookies: Fill a piping bag fitted with a nozzle tip with the prepared frosting and pipe onto the cooled cookies. Add decorative sprinkles on top if desired.
- Storage: Store any leftover frosted cookies in the refrigerator for 2-3 days to maintain freshness and frosting integrity.
Notes
- Make sure all dairy ingredients and eggs are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Refrigerating the dough before baking helps the cookies hold their shape and develop a tender crumb.
- Do not overmix the cookie dough once the flour is added to avoid tough cookies.
- Monitor baking closely, as the tops should stay light while bottoms are set.
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute Greek yogurt and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives but expect slight texture changes.
- Leftover cookies are best stored refrigerated due to the cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
