Magically Delicious Lucky Charms Sugar Cookies: Your Ultimate Cream Cheese Recipe for St. Patrick’s Day
Get ready to infuse some Irish charm into your baking with these incredibly soft and sweet Lucky Charms Sugar Cookies! Absolutely perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, this delightful recipe features a beloved cream cheese sugar cookie base, generously frosted with a rich and simple buttercream frosting, and then crowned with a vibrant sprinkle of Lucky Charms cereal. They’re not just cookies; they’re a celebration in every bite, promising a treat that’s both festive and irresistibly delicious.
I recently found myself craving my all-time favorite sugar cookies but also wanted to create something truly special for St. Patrick’s Day. The solution? Combine the best of both worlds! I adapted my tried-and-true cream cheese sugar cookie recipe, giving it a festive makeover with the iconic cereal. The result is a cookie that boasts an unparalleled softness and moisture, a perfect balance of flavor and melt-in-your-mouth consistency. The creamy buttercream frosting adds another layer of indulgence, and let’s be honest, sprinkling a few Lucky Charms on top is the easiest and most fun way to make these cookies holiday-ready!
Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless sugar cookie recipes, many of which were quite good. However, once I discovered this particular cream cheese sugar cookie recipe, I knew my search was over. It delivers an exceptional texture and flavor that truly sets it apart. Whether you prefer to roll out the dough and use cookie cutters for elaborate shapes or simply form balls and flatten them slightly for classic circular cookies, this dough is incredibly versatile and a joy to work with. These cookies are guaranteed to become a new favorite in your home, especially for festive occasions.
WHAT ARE CREAM CHEESE SUGAR COOKIES? THE SECRET TO SUPREMELY SOFT COOKIES
Cream cheese is truly the “secret weapon” in this exceptional sugar cookie recipe. Far from being just a flavor enhancer, cream cheese plays a critical role in the cookie’s texture and overall consistency. It imparts a subtle tanginess that beautifully complements the sweetness of the cookie, adding a layer of complexity not found in traditional sugar cookies. More importantly, the high-fat content and moisture in cream cheese contribute to an incredibly soft, tender, and moist crumb. It helps prevent the cookies from drying out or becoming crumbly, ensuring they stay delightfully chewy for longer. This key ingredient elevates a simple sugar cookie into a rich, melt-in-your-mouth indulgence that stands out from the crowd.
INGREDIENTS FOR LUCKY CHARMS SUGAR COOKIES & FROSTING
Crafting these magically delicious Lucky Charms Sugar Cookies requires a few essential ingredients, each playing a vital role in achieving their perfect texture and flavor:
For the Cookies:
- Butter: I typically use salted butter for a hint of flavor balance, but unsalted works perfectly if you prefer to control the salt content. The most crucial factor is ensuring your butter is properly softened to room temperature, not melted. Melted butter will drastically alter the cookie’s texture, leading to flat, greasy results.
- Sugar: An undeniable staple in any sugar cookie recipe, it provides the core sweetness and contributes to the tender crumb of the cookie.
- Cream Cheese: This star ingredient must also be softened to room temperature for optimal incorporation into the dough. While regular cream cheese offers the best consistency and richness, a low-fat or non-fat alternative can be used, though it might slightly impact the final texture.
- Egg: Just one egg is all you need to act as a crucial binding agent, ensuring the dough holds together beautifully during mixing and baking, preventing crumbling.
- Vanilla and Almond Extract: For the best flavor, I highly recommend using a good quality vanilla extract or even a Vanilla Bean Paste. The almond extract, though optional, truly elevates these cookies, adding a sophisticated depth of flavor. If you have allergies or a strong dislike for almond flavor, feel free to omit it or use extra vanilla instead.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is my go-to for its reliable structure. However, bread flour can add a slightly chewier texture, and pastry flour can create an even more tender crumb if you prefer.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent is essential for giving the cookies a gentle lift. Always check that your baking powder isn’t old or expired, as its effectiveness diminishes over time, impacting your cookie’s rise.
For the Frosting:
- Powdered Sugar: The foundation of our smooth and sweet buttercream, powdered sugar dissolves easily to create a velvety texture, providing that classic frosting sweetness and creamy finish.
- Butter: Similar to the cookies, softened butter is key for the frosting. Salted butter can balance the sweetness, or use unsalted if preferred. Again, no margarine!
- Almond Extract: I adore the flavor almond extract brings to the frosting, perfectly complementing the cookies. However, if you prefer, vanilla extract is a delicious alternative. Both options yield fantastic results.
- Milk: A small amount of milk helps achieve the desired frosting consistency. You can use regular cow’s milk or a plant-based alternative like almond, coconut, or cashew milk. Adjust the amount of milk to make your frosting thicker or thinner according to your preference for spreading or piping.
- Food Coloring: To make these cookies truly festive for St. Patrick’s Day, a few drops of green food coloring are a must! For a more intense and vibrant hue, opt for a gel or paste food coloring over liquid drops.
- Lucky Charms: The star topping! You’ll need about 1-2 cups of Lucky Charms cereal, depending on how heavily you want to adorn each cookie. For an extra touch of magic, I often pick out some extra marshmallows from the box to ensure each cookie gets a generous sprinkle of those iconic, colorful shapes.
HOW TO MAKE LUCKY CHARMS SUGAR COOKIES: A SIMPLE GUIDE
Creating these festive Lucky Charms Sugar Cookies is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for perfectly baked treats:
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). A properly preheated oven is crucial for even baking and consistent results.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, softened butter, and softened cream cheese. Beat them together with an electric mixer for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well-creamed. This step incorporates air, contributing to the cookie’s tender texture.
- Add Flavor and Binder: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the creamed mixture. Continue to mix for another 1-2 minutes until everything is fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed just until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated and the dough comes together smoothly. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill the Dough: This is a critical step! Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Chilling allows the butter to firm up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking, and also deepens the flavors.
- Roll and Cut: Once chilled, remove the dough from the refrigerator. Lightly flour a clean surface and your rolling pin. Roll out the dough to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes. If you prefer simple circular cookies, you can skip the cookie cutters: scoop out tablespoons of dough, roll them into balls, place them on your baking sheet, and use the bottom of a greased measuring cup or glass to gently flatten each ball to a 1/4-inch thickness.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the cut-out cookies on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or just until the edges are barely turning golden. The centers may still look slightly soft, but they will set as they cool. Overbaking will result in hard, dry cookies.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5-10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They must be entirely cool before frosting.
To Make the Frosting: In a separate bowl, combine all the frosting ingredients (powdered sugar, softened butter, almond extract, and milk). Using an electric mixer, beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy. If desired, add a few drops of green food coloring and mix until evenly distributed. Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread a generous amount of frosting onto each one. Immediately sprinkle the Lucky Charms cereal on top of the frosting before it has a chance to set, ensuring they adhere well. Enjoy your festive and delicious cookies!
Lucky Charms Sugar Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup butter softened to room temp
- 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temp
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp almond extract
- 3 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
Frosting:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 tsp almond extract
- milk to desired consistency about 2-4 Tbsp
- food coloring optional
- 2 cups Lucky Charms cereal
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°.
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Mix sugar, butter, cream cheese together for about 2-3 minutes.
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Add egg, vanilla and almond extract and mix for another 1-2 minutes. Add the flour and baking powder and mix just until mixed in and smooth.
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Chill for at least 2 hours. Roll out on floured surface to about 1/4” thick and cut out with cookie cutters. (If you prefer to just make circle cookies, you can scoop out tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Place on the cookie sheet and use the bottom of a greased measuring cup or glass to flatten the ball to a 1/4″ thickness.)
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Bake for 8-10 minutes…just until barely turning golden on edges. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
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To make the frosting, mix all of the frosting ingredients together with a mixer until smooth. Spread onto completely cooled cookies. Sprinkle the Lucky Charms on top of each cookie before the frosting sets.
Nutrition
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST SUGAR COOKIES EVERY TIME
Achieving perfect sugar cookies requires attention to a few key details. Here are some invaluable tips to ensure your Lucky Charms Sugar Cookies turn out wonderfully every time:
- Don’t Add Too Much Flour to Sticky Dough: Sugar cookie dough is naturally a bit sticky, especially before chilling. Resist the strong urge to continually add more flour to the dough before it has been sufficiently chilled. Adding too much flour throws off the delicate balance of wet to dry ingredients, resulting in cookies that are dry, dense, and crumbly instead of soft and tender. The chilling process is what truly firms up the dough, making it much more manageable for rolling and cutting without altering its perfect consistency.
- Use Softened, Not Melted, Butter: This is a critical distinction! The butter needs to be softened to room temperature, where it’s pliable but still holds its shape. Using melted butter will completely change the chemistry of the dough, leading to flat, greasy cookies that spread too much in the oven. Room temperature butter creams beautifully with sugar, incorporating air for a lighter texture.
- Cream Butter and Sugars Thoroughly: Dedicate about 2-3 minutes to creaming together the butter, sugar, and cream cheese. This process, known as creaming, is vital for incorporating air into the mixture, which results in a lighter, softer cookie. Don’t rush this step; it significantly impacts the final texture of your cookies.
- Always Preheat Your Oven: Ensure your oven is fully preheated to the specified temperature before placing your cookies inside. A consistent, hot environment allows cookies to set quickly and bake evenly, preventing them from spreading excessively and ensuring they rise properly.
- Utilize Parchment Paper or a Silicone Baking Mat: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This simple step is a game-changer! It prevents cookies from sticking to the pan, ensures even heat distribution, and makes transferring them off the sheet incredibly easy without damaging their perfect shape.
- Maintain Consistent Dough Thickness: When rolling out your dough, aim for a uniform thickness of about 1/4 inch. If the dough is too thin, your cookies will bake up crispy, hard, and prone to breaking. Conversely, if the dough is too thick, the cookies may not bake all the way through, resulting in raw centers. Consistency is key for uniform baking and ideal texture.
- Avoid Overbaking: Sugar cookies can go from perfectly soft to dry and hard in a matter of seconds. Keep a close eye on them! They may not appear fully “done” on top, but as soon as the edges begin to turn a very light golden brown, it’s time to remove them from the oven. They will continue to cook slightly on the hot baking sheet and firm up as they cool, resulting in that coveted soft, chewy center.
HOW DO YOU KEEP SUGAR COOKIES SOFT AND FRESH?
One of the fantastic benefits of this cream cheese sugar cookie recipe is its inherent ability to stay softer for longer, thanks to that magical ingredient! The cream cheese adds an incredible amount of moisture and tenderness to the dough, which naturally helps prevent the cookies from drying out quickly. To maximize their freshness and ensure they remain delightfully soft, it’s crucial to store them properly after they’ve completely cooled. Simply place the frosted and decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. This barrier prevents air exposure, which is the primary culprit behind stale cookies. Additionally, remember to roll out the cookie dough to the recommended 1/4-inch thickness; cookies that are rolled too thin tend to bake up crispier and can become brittle sooner.
HOW LONG WILL DECORATED SUGAR COOKIES LAST?
With proper storage, your beautifully decorated Lucky Charms Sugar Cookies can maintain their quality and freshness for a surprisingly long time. If kept in an airtight container at room temperature, they will typically remain delicious for up to one week. For even longer preservation, you can refrigerate them for up to two weeks, though the texture might become slightly firmer. For the ultimate long-term storage, undecorated baked cookies or even the unbaked dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw and decorate as needed!
MORE FESTIVE ST. PATRICK’S DAY TREATS TO TRY:
If you’re looking to expand your St. Patrick’s Day dessert menu beyond these enchanting Lucky Charms Sugar Cookies, here are some other festive and delicious ideas to bring extra cheer to your celebration:
- FUN & FESTIVE ST. PATRICK’S DAY DESSERTS
- ST. PATRICKS DAY SUGAR COOKIES
- MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- EASY PISTACHIO CREAM PIE
- MINT MUDDY BUDDIES
- THE BEST MINT BROWNIES
- MINT CHIP DIP
- MINT CHOCOLATE POKE CAKE
- MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE
- MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP CREAM PIE
- MINT OREO BALLS
- CHOCOLATE PISTACHIO PINWHEEL COOKIES for ST. PATRICK’S DAY
- ST. PATRICKS DAY HOT CHOCOLATE BOMBS
- MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS
- DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MINT COOKIES
Lucky Charms Sugar Cookies are the epitome of soft, sweet, and perfectly festive for St. Patrick’s Day! This incredible cream cheese sugar cookie recipe creates an unparalleled tender crumb, beautifully complemented by a luscious simple buttercream frosting, and made extra special with a generous topping of crunchy Lucky Charms cereal. They’re a truly magical treat that will bring joy to any celebration.
I recently stumbled upon this picture from about 13 years ago, and I couldn’t help but laugh. This captured our very first experience at Disney World, which, to put it mildly, was a complete disaster. It was pouring rain the entire day, my son S threw up multiple times, most of the rides kept shutting down due to lightning, and we ended up abandoning our plans after a miserable three hours. It took us nearly seven more years before we were brave enough to attempt another visit! We’re actually headed back this week for Spring Break, and I’m crossing my fingers for a much more enjoyable and magical experience than our last trip!
