Christmas Raspberry Cream CookiesIntroduction

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.

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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
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.

Variation

There are many delightful twists you can try to match your holiday style:

• Lemon Raspberry Cookies – Add 2 teaspoons of lemon zest to the dough for a bright citrus flavor.
• White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies – Drizzle melted white chocolate over the baked cookies.
• Chocolate Dough Version – Replace ¼ cup of flour with cocoa powder for a chocolate-raspberry combo.
• Strawberry Cream Cookies – Swap raspberry filling with strawberry preserves for a sweeter fruit note.
• Linzer-Inspired Version – Sandwich two cookies with raspberry cream and dust the tops with powdered sugar.

Each variation gives the holiday classic a fun and festive twist.

Cooking Note

These cookies don’t spread too much, thanks to the cream cheese and butter structure. That means they hold their shape beautifully and are great for gifting. Avoid overbaking — they should be soft when removed from the oven. As they cool, they firm up into the perfect tender cookie.

If your jam is too runny, mix it with 1 tablespoon cornstarch before filling the cookies. This keeps the raspberry center thick and glossy.

Serving Suggestions

• Perfect for Christmas cookie boxes
• Serve warm with hot chocolate or peppermint tea
• Add to a dessert table with chocolate truffles and peppermint bark
• Pair them with eggnog for the ultimate holiday treat
• Stack in a festive tin for gifting
• Add them to a cookie charcuterie board with shortbread, gingerbread, and sugar cookies

These cookies shine anywhere they go and add a bright pop of festive color.

Tips

• Chill the dough for easier shaping if your kitchen is warm.
• Use seedless raspberry jam for a smoother finish.
• Do not overfill the indent — jam bubbles can overflow.
• Store in airtight containers to keep them soft.
• Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature.
• For cleaner indent shapes, use the bottom of a rounded teaspoon.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Nutritional Information (Approx. per cookie)

Calories: 140
Protein: 1.5g
Sodium: 80mg

FAQs

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be chilled for up to 48 hours or frozen for up to 3 months.

Q: Can I use flavored cream cheese?
Stick to plain cream cheese for consistency and structure.

Q: How do I prevent the cookies from cracking?
Roll the dough smoothly and press gently when making the indent.

Q: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum.

Q: Why did my cookies spread too much?
Your butter may have been too warm. Chill the dough 20 minutes before baking.

Conclusion

Christmas Raspberry Cream Cookies are the kind of holiday dessert that bring warmth, beauty, and flavor to every celebration. Their buttery, soft texture and jewel-like raspberry centers feel nostalgic, cheerful, and perfectly festive. Whether they’re served at a holiday gathering, packed into thoughtful gift tins, or enjoyed with a cozy drink beside the Christmas tree, these cookies become a tradition the moment you bake them.

Once you add them to your holiday collection, they’re the recipe everyone asks for year after year — the cookie that makes Christmas feel like Christmas.