Absolutely! Here’s a detailed, long-form recipe for Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies — a heavenly treat with soft, buttery cookie dough, creamy cheesecake filling, and sweet strawberry swirls or bits. These cookies are like a bite-sized version of your favorite dessert!
Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
Servings: 20–24 cookies
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour (minimum for dough & filling)
Bake Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: ~2 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz (1 block) cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cookie Dough:
- ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Strawberry Component:
Option A: Strawberry Jam Swirl
- ⅓ cup high-quality strawberry jam or preserves
Option B: Strawberry Bits
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed (or chopped fresh strawberries, well-dried)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cream Cheese Filling (Cheesecake Center)
- In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to drop 1–1½ teaspoon-sized dollops of the filling onto a parchment-lined plate or tray.
- Freeze for at least 1 hour, or until solid.
Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until combined.
- If using freeze-dried strawberries, fold them in gently at this stage. If using jam, set it aside for swirling later.
- Chill the dough for at least 30–60 minutes (it helps with shaping and flavor).
Step 3: Assemble the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Use a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) to scoop out dough. Flatten each ball in your hand to form a disk.
- Place a frozen cheesecake ball in the center of the disk.
- Wrap the dough around the filling and roll it back into a ball, sealing all edges.
- If using jam, gently swirl about ½ teaspoon on top of each cookie and lightly press it in with a knife tip or toothpick.
Step 4: Bake
- Place cookie balls about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and centers look just set (do not overbake).
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5–10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Optional Garnish:
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar
- Add a small piece of fresh strawberry or a dot of jam on top after baking
Storage & Freezing
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. You can also freeze unbaked, filled dough balls and bake from frozen (add 2–3 minutes to bake time).
Tips & Variations
- Fresh Strawberries? If using fresh, make sure they’re well-dried and chopped small to avoid excess moisture.
- Jam tip: Use thick, high-quality jam or strawberry curd to prevent runny results.
- Make mini cookies: Use smaller scoops and cheesecake centers for bite-sized treats.
- Add graham: Mix crushed graham crackers into the dough or sprinkle on top for extra cheesecake vibes.
Would you like a printable version, or an image of how these cookies typically look?