There are some recipes you come back to every Christmas — not because they are trendy, but because they feel like home.
These Cream Cheese Walnut Shortbread Cookies are exactly that kind of recipe for me.
I remember baking these on a quiet winter afternoon, when the kitchen felt warm, the oven was doing its job, and there was no rush to impress anyone. Just simple baking, done slowly. The kind where you wait patiently for the cookies to cool before sneaking one with a cup of tea.
Shortbread cookies are usually known for their buttery crumb, but adding cream cheese changes everything. It makes the dough softer, richer, and gives the cookies a gentle tang that balances the sweetness beautifully. And when you add toasted walnuts, you get that lovely crunch that makes each bite interesting.
This is not a fancy or complicated recipe. It’s the kind of baking that’s meant for real homes — where measurements matter, but perfection doesn’t. The dough comes together easily, and the cookies bake into soft, tender rounds with lightly golden edges.
These cookies are perfect for:
• Christmas cookie boxes
• Tea-time treats
• Gifting during the festive season
• Or simply baking for yourself on a winter evening
Eggless Cream Cheese Walnut Shortbread Cookies – A Cozy Christmas Bake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour ((240 grams) )
- 1 teaspoon
salt
- 1 cup walnuts (chopped & lightly toasted) ((125 grams))
- 3/4 cup
unsalted butter, softened
((170grams)) - 113 grams cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup sugar ((170 grams))
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add chopped walnuts and mix well. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla and mix briefly.
- Add flour mixture and mix gently until just combined.
- Roll dough into balls, place on lined tray, and lightly flatten.
- Bake for 14–16 minutes, until edges turn light golden.
- Cool completely before storing.
Video
Notes
🌟 Baking Tips
• Do not over-mix once flour is added• Bake just until edges are lightly brown
• Cookies firm up as they cool
• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days Happy baking 💛
— Deepali
#BakeWithDeepali
