These sweet, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are topped with a tangy cream cheese icing that perfectly complements their delicate texture. Similar to shortbread, every bite offers a heavenly combination of flavors, making them irresistible. These cookies might just be the best Christmas treat ever!
This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links, I get a small percentage back at no cost to you! For more information see my disclosure policy.
Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap "Jump to Recipe" at the top of the page.
Get Away Today is my FAVORITE company to book my Disney vacations. Get discounts and the BEST customer service by checking prices below. Don’t forget to use the coupon code: Clubhouse10 to save even more! Tap the yellow button below to check prices and see more Disney World Deals from Get Away Today!
Why You'll Love These Cookies
These cookies are probably my favorite Christmas cookies, ever! When I was growing up, my grandma would spend days in the kitchen baking Christmas cookies. She would pack them all up in a giant Tupperware type box for us to take home and eat. We would have to eat them quickly before my dad would consume them all after we went to bed!
I can’t quite pin down the exact reason that I love this delicious cookie so much. There are so many to choose from. They actually live up to their “melt-away” name. When you take a bite, they pretty much melt in your mouth. Mmmmm…I want to go get one right now.
The icing is a tangy cream cheese frosting that totally compliments the sweetness of the Melt-Away Christmas cookies. You can color the frosting red or green for Christmas, which is what my mom usually does, or you can opt to leave it white and top them with some cute Christmas sprinkles. The choice is yours!
Melt Away Cookie Ingredients
*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Softened Butter: For these melt away cookies, you can use either salted or unsalted butter, which ever you prefer.
- All-Purpose Flour: For these melt away cookies, you can use either bleached or unbleached all-purpose flour.
- Corn Starch: Corn starch is one of the ingredients that gives these cookies their melt in your mouth texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Using powdered sugar in the dough adds to their sweetness and texture.
- Milk: You should only need a small amount of milk if your dough is too dry.
- Softened Cream Cheese: For the frosting, you will want to use cream cheese that is at room temperature so it will be easy to mix.
- Powdered Sugar:You will need powdered sugar, sometimes called confectioners' sugar, for the frosting,
- Vanilla Extract: The vanilla extract helps to bring out the flavor of the frosting. Feel free to use a little bit of almond extract as well.
- Christmas Sprinkles: These are optional, but they add a festive touch to these melt away cookies. You can also use food coloring to create red or green frosting.
How to Make Melt-Away Christmas Cookies
[Step 1] Begin by beating the softened butter until it is light and fluffy.
[Step 2] In a separate bowl, mix together the cornstarch, powdered sugar, and flour.
[Step 3] Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter and mix until moistened. It may take a couple of minutes for it to start to come together. You can check if it is moist enough by pinching some dough with your fingers. If it holds together, it is ready. If it is still too dry, add a teaspoon of milk.
[Step 4] Use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon) to measure the cookies, then roll dough between your hands to make a ball. Place them on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart and gently flatten the dough slightly with the bottom of a glass. Make a small well in the center of the cookie using your thumb or finger.
[Step 5] Bake the cookies at 350 degrees for 10 minutes making sure to watch them carefully to avoid over baking. Remove them from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack after 1 minute.
[Step 6] Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese in a small bowl or food processor, until smooth. Add the vanilla and the powdered sugar a little at a time. Mix until incorporated. If desired, add food coloring to the frosting now.
[Step 7] Use a piping bag or a Ziplock bag with the corner cut off, to add the frosting to the tops of the cookies. Top with sprinkles.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Small Cookie Scoop
- Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper
- Baking Sheet and Cooling Rack
- Piping Bags
- Gel Food Coloring, if desired
How to Store Meltaway Butter Cookies
These cookies should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for best results. If stacking these cookies in the container, add a layer of parchment paper or wax paper in between.
They will keep for up to 5 days, but are best enjoyed within the first 3 days. You can also freeze these cookies for up to one month by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Baking Tips & Tricks:
- Make sure to measure your ingredients accurately for the best results.
- Try rolling the cookie dough balls in your hands before making the thumbprint indent. This will result in a smooth finish.
- Do not overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies.
- If you do not have a small cookie scoop, you can use a tablespoon to shape the cookies.
- Be careful when baking and make sure to watch the cookies closely as they can burn quickly.
- For easier clean up when making the cream cheese frosting, use a food processor instead of a mixing bowl. This will also result in a smoother and more consistent frosting.
- For best results, use full-fat cream cheese for the frosting.
- Feel free to add different sprinkles or toppings to customize these cookies for different occasions or holidays. Overall, have fun with this recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use salted butter in this recipe? Yes, you can use salted butter but make sure to reduce the amount of added salt in this easy cookie recipe.
- Can I substitute the cream cheese for something else? You can try using a dairy-free cream cheese alternative or making a different type of frosting altogether.
- Can I make these cookies ahead of time? Yes, you can make the dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days before baking. You can also freeze the dough for up to one month.
Recipe Variations
- Add a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest or a bit of lemon extract to the cookie dough to make Lemon Meltaway Cookies.
- Use a tablespoon of vanilla extract in the cookie dough to make Vanilla Meltaway Cookies.
- Add a tablespoon of almond extract and chopped almonds to the cookie dough to make Almond Meltaway Cookies.
- Instead of vanilla extract, use almond or peppermint extract for different flavor profiles.
- Use different types of nuts in the dough, such as pecans or almonds, for added texture.
- For a chocolate version, add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the cookie dough and top with chocolate sprinkles or chips.
Final Thoughts
These Melt Away Cookies are a delicious and easy buttery cookie to make for any occasion, especially the Christmas season. With their delicate texture and creamy frosting, they are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. Get creative and have fun with this recipe, adding your own personal touches and variations. And don't forget to share these cookies with family and friends – after all, good food is meant to be shared!
More Festive Cookie Recipes
- Eggnog Sugar Cookies
- Snowball Christmas Cookies
- Gingerbread Sugar Cookies
- Frosted Eggnog Cookies
- Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
Watch the Video Here:
Did you try this recipe? Make sure to give it a five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below!
Christmas Melt-Away Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 Cup Butter softened
- 1 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour
- ¾ Cup Corn Starch
- ¾ Cup Powdered Sugar
- 3-4 Teaspoons Milk if necessary
Cream Cheese Icing
- 4 Ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Cookies
- Beat the softened butter until it is light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the cornstarch, powdered sugar, and flour.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter and mix until moistened. It may take a couple of minutes for it to start to come together. You can check if it is moist enough by pinching some dough with your fingers. If it holds together, it is ready. If it is still too dry, add a teaspoon of milk.
- Use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon) to measure the cookies, then roll dough between your hands to make a ball. Place them on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart and gently flatten the dough slightly with the bottom of a glass. Make a small well in the center of the cookie using your thumb or finger.
- Bake the cookies at 350 degrees for 10 minutes making sure to watch them carefully to avoid over baking. Remove them from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack after 1 minute.
Cream Cheese Icing
- Beat the softened cream cheese in a small bowl or food processor, until smooth. Add the vanilla and the powdered sugar a little at a time. Mix until incorporated. If desired, add food coloring to the frosting now.
- Use a piping bag or a Ziplock bag with the corner cut off, to add the frosting to the tops of the cookies. Top with sprinkles.
Karen says
Do these have to be refrigerate because of cream cheese topping
mindymoser says
Yes! I always keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator 🙂
Barb says
Can these be made ahead of time and frozen?
Mindy says
Yes! I do it every year.
MeMe says
The cookies sound so delicious. How do you freeze them?
Mindy says
I put them in a plastic container with wax paper between each layer and freeze for a month or two!
Jacky says
3/4 Cup cornstarch? Seems like that a lot. I made them they look just like the picture, but taste I can Taste starchy
Mindy says
3/4 cup is the correct amount. The frosting helps balance out the starch.
Hollie says
These cookie are absolutely delightful. Melt in your mouth goodness. I followed the recipe for the cookies exactly except I rolled into balls and baked without flattening and I used a powdered sugar almond extract glaze. A new favorite Christmas cookie. Thank you for sharing.