Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese and Butter Base

Start by adding the softened cream cheese and softened butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

Mix the two ingredients together for about 2 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and fully blended. This step is important because it creates the foundation of the cookie dough. Properly creaming these ingredients helps create a soft texture while ensuring that the cream cheese is evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Make sure both ingredients are at room temperature before mixing. Cold cream cheese can leave lumps in the dough, while softened ingredients blend together effortlessly.

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Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients

Once the cream cheese and butter are thoroughly mixed, add the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.

Continue mixing for another 2 minutes. During this stage, the mixture should become lighter and smoother. The egg helps bind everything together while contributing moisture. The vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile, balancing the tartness of the lemon.

The lemon zest is especially important because it provides fresh citrus aroma and flavor. Since the zest contains the natural oils from the lemon peel, it delivers a bright lemon flavor without adding extra liquid to the dough.

Mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture appears smooth and creamy.

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Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

Now add the self rising cake flour, instant lemon pudding, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar.

Mix on low speed until all the ingredients are combined and a soft dough forms.

The self rising cake flour helps create an exceptionally tender cookie. The instant lemon pudding enhances both the lemon flavor and the softness of the finished cookies. The combination of powdered sugar and granulated sugar creates a balanced sweetness while contributing to the delicate texture.

Avoid overmixing at this point. Once the dry ingredients have been incorporated and no dry pockets remain, stop mixing.

You should be left with a soft and slightly sticky dough.

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Step 4: Chill the Dough

Transfer the dough to a bowl and cover it tightly.

Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Chilling the dough is a crucial step that should not be skipped. Since the dough contains cream cheese and butter, refrigeration allows the fats to firm up and makes the dough easier to scoop and shape.

The resting period also helps the ingredients fully hydrate, resulting in cookies with a better texture and more developed flavor.

After one hour, the dough should feel noticeably firmer while still remaining soft.

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Step 5: Prepare the Baking Sheets

Toward the end of the chilling time, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Using parchment paper prevents sticking and promotes even baking. It also makes cleanup much easier.

Allow the oven to fully preheat before baking. Starting with a properly heated oven helps the cookies bake evenly and develop their signature soft texture.

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Step 6: Portion the Cookie Dough

Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator.

Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon measure, scoop portions of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheets.

Leave a little space between each cookie to allow for slight spreading during baking.

The cookies should be approximately one tablespoon in size. Keeping the portions uniform helps ensure that all the cookies bake evenly.

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Step 7: Shape the Cookies Correctly

Lightly flour your fingertips before touching the dough.

Gently press the tops of the cookie dough portions just enough to slightly shape them.

Be careful not to flatten them completely. The goal is simply to create a slight indentation and help them bake evenly while still maintaining their thick and soft texture.

This small shaping step contributes to the finished appearance of the cookies without sacrificing their tender interior.

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Step 8: Bake Until Just Set

Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes.

The key to achieving the perfect texture is avoiding overbaking. These cookies should remain soft and tender. When done, they will appear set around the edges while still looking slightly soft in the center.

Overbaking can dry them out and diminish the creamy cheesecake-like texture that makes these cookies special.

Keep a close eye on them during the final few minutes of baking.

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Step 9: Cool Completely

Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes.

After they have firmed up slightly, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cooling allows the texture to finish setting and helps the flavors develop. The cookies become even more tender as they cool.

Resist the temptation to stack them while still warm, as this can cause them to stick together.

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Step 10: Finish with Powdered Sugar

When the cookies are completely cool, lightly dust the tops with powdered sugar.

This simple finishing touch adds an elegant appearance and a hint of extra sweetness that complements the bright lemon flavor beautifully.

The powdered sugar also gives the cookies a bakery-style look that makes them perfect for serving at parties, showers, holidays, or family gatherings.

Serve and enjoy.

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