Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe: A Sweet Twist on Classic Cheesecake

Who doesn’t love a sweet, creamy cheesecake? Now, imagine turning that delicious dessert into a soft, chewy cookie. Enter the Strawberry Cheesecake Cookie—a mouthwatering treat that combines the tangy goodness of cheesecake with the sweet, fruity flavor of strawberries, all wrapped up in a cookie. This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves classic cheesecake and wants an easy, portable way to enjoy it. Let’s dive into how to make these irresistible cookies from scratch.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup chopped strawberries (fresh or frozen, thawed)
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional for extra sweetness)
• 1/4 cup crushed graham crackers (for that cheesecake crust flavor)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for best results. Add both the granulated sugar and brown sugar, and continue mixing until fluffy and light.
3. Add Vanilla: Mix in the vanilla extract, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the batter.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined.
5. Fold in the Strawberries and Optional Add-ins: Gently fold in the chopped strawberries and, if desired, the white chocolate chips and crushed graham crackers for that extra cheesecake touch.
6. Scoop and Shape: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden and the center is set. Be careful not to overbake, as you want these cookies to stay soft and chewy.
8. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe Notes:

• Strawberry Tips: Fresh strawberries will give a better flavor, but frozen strawberries are fine as long as you thaw and drain them to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
• White Chocolate: For a creamier flavor, adding white chocolate chips works beautifully, but you can skip them if you want to keep it more like a traditional cheesecake.
• Graham Cracker Crumbs: These give the cookies that iconic cheesecake crust flavor, but if you don’t have them, crushed vanilla wafer cookies also do the trick.

Time and Serving:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Servings: Makes about 24 cookies

Storage:

• At Room Temperature: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• In the Freezer: If you’d like to save some for later, these cookies freeze wonderfully. Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, where they can stay fresh for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply leave them at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Breakdown (Per Serving):

Extra Tips to Make the Recipe Perfect:

• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense cookies.
• Chill the Dough: If you find the dough too sticky to work with, chilling it for 30 minutes before scooping can make it easier to handle.
• Add a Cheesecake Glaze: For extra cheesecake flavor, drizzle a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and cream cheese on top of the cookies once they’ve cooled.

How to Serve:

• Serve with Coffee or Tea: These cookies are great for an afternoon snack, so pair them with your favorite hot beverage for a delightful treat.
• Top with a Strawberry: For a fun presentation, top each cookie with a fresh strawberry or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Serve as a Dessert: These cookies make an excellent dessert for dinner parties or family gatherings. Serve them alongside other fruit-based desserts like berry tarts or fruit salad.

Kitchen Tools Needed:

• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Cookie scoop or spoon
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Cooling rack

Health Benefits of Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies:

• Rich in Vitamin C: Strawberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C, which is great for immune health and skin care.
• Calcium: The cream cheese and butter in the recipe provide some calcium, which supports bone health.
• Antioxidants: Strawberries are rich in antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and support overall well-being.

FAQs:

Q1: Can I use frozen strawberries in this recipe?
A1: Yes, frozen strawberries are fine to use. Just be sure to thaw and drain them before adding them to the dough to avoid excess moisture.

Q2: How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A2: You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for proper structure.

Q3: Can I add other fruits to these cookies?
A3: Absolutely! Blueberries, raspberries, or even diced peaches would pair wonderfully with the cheesecake flavor.

Q4: Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
A4: You can use dairy-free butter and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative to make these cookies dairy-free.

Q5: How should I store these cookies for the best freshness?
A5: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months for longer storage.

Final Thoughts:

These Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies are the perfect blend of cheesecake and cookie, with just the right balance of tangy strawberries and sweet cream cheese. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a sweet snack, these cookies are sure to impress. They’re simple to make, full of flavor, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. So, what are you waiting for? Get baking, and enjoy these delicious treats!