Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Cookies are great. Cheesecake is awesome. But what happens when you COMBINE the two? Magic. These Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies are soft, creamy, and have that classic strawberry tang with a buttery cookie base. Perfect for a cozy weekend bake or even as a last-minute dessert idea.

If you love the idea of combining your favorite desserts, you HAVE to check out this Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Recipe!

I’ll show you how to whip these up in no time, share a few baking tips, and answer FAQs to make sure your cookies turn out PERFECT every single time. Let’s get started!

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WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE COOKIES

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INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

FOR THE COOKIE BASE:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

THE CHEESECAKE FILLING:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• ⅓ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

FOR THE STRAWBERRY MIX:

• 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries (crushed into powder or tiny pieces)
• Optional: Some drops of red food coloring for a pink hue

GARNISH:

• Crushed graham crackers
• Extra freeze-dried strawberries for topping

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HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES

PREP YOUR INGREDIENTS

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. You line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
• You let your butter and cream cheese come to the room temperature. Trust me, this makes mixing SO much easier.

MAKE THE COOKIE DOUGH

1. Beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together in a large bowl until creamy and fluffy.
2. Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
3. You gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low speed until just combined.

CREATE THE CHEESECAKE FILLING

• In a separate bowl, mix the vanilla ,cream cheese, and powdered sugar until it’s smooth and creamy. Set aside.

INCORPORATE THE STRAWBERRY FLAVOR

• Stir the freeze-dried strawberry powder (or tiny pieces) into the cookie dough. If you want that cute pink color, add a few drops of food coloring.

ASSEMBLE THE COOKIES

1. You scoop a tablespoon of cookie dough and flatten it slightly in your hand.
2. You add a teaspoon of the cheesecake filling to the center.
3. Take another scoop of dough, flatten it, and place it on top, sealing the edges.
4. Roll gently into a ball.

BAKE TO PERFECTION

• Place cookie balls on your baking sheet, spacing them out about 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.

COOL & GARNISH

• Let the cookies cool completely. Sprinkle crushed graham crackers or extra freeze-dried strawberries on top for an extra touch.

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TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES

1. Don’t overmix the dough. Overmixing can make the cookies dense instead of soft.
2. Freeze-dried strawberries work best. Fresh strawberries can make the dough too wet.
3. Chill the dough. If your dough feels sticky, pop it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before assembling.
4. Test one cookie first. This helps you adjust the bake time or filling size.

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SERVING IDEAS

• With Coffee: These cookies pair perfectly with a hot latte or iced coffee.
• Dessert Platter: Add them to a tray with brownies and mini tarts for an impressive spread.
• Gift Bags: Wrap them up in cute packaging for holiday gifts.

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES

One of the best things about these Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies is how versatile they are! Want to switch it up? Here are some fun ideas:

• Add White Chocolate Chips: Mix a handful of white chocolate chips into the dough for extra sweetness.
• Go Gluten-Free: Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
• Try a Lemon Twist: Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to your cheesecake filling for a bright, zesty kick that pairs beautifully with the strawberries.

These little tweaks make it easy to personalize the cookies to suit your cravings or even match a theme for special occasions!

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THE SECRET TO PERFECTLY SOFT STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES

If you’ve ever wondered how to make the Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies soft and dreamy, here’s the secret: room-temperature ingredients and just the right bake time. Cold ingredients can lead to uneven mixing, which affects texture. And trust me, pulling the cookies out just as the edges start to set is key—they’ll continue to bake on the tray as they cool.

For extra touch of softness, you can also slightly underbake the cookies and you let them cool completely before enjoying. Soft centers, creamy cheesecake filling, and that strawberry flavor—PERFECTION!

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ARE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES HEALTHIER THAN STORE-BOUGHT TREATS?

While they’re still a dessert, homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies let you control the ingredients, which can be a healthier option than processed store-bought cookies. Using real butter, cream cheese, and freeze-dried strawberries means no artificial flavors or preservatives.

If you’re watching your sugar intake, you can even experiment with reducing the sugar in the cookie dough or using a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener. The result? A slightly healthier version of these irresistible cookies that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

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FUN FACTS ABOUT STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES

Did you know that the idea for Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies was inspired by the dessert mashup trend? Combining two beloved desserts—cookies and cheesecake—creates the ultimate treat that’s soft, creamy, and full of flavor.

And here’s a fun baking hack: If you want the cookies to look extra professional, use a small cookie scoop for even sizing and press a fork lightly on the top before baking for a cute criss-cross design.

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These strawberry cheesecake cookies are everything you didn’t know you needed in a dessert. They’re sweet, creamy, and fruity all at once. Plus, the recipe is so straightforward, even my HUSBAND, who swears he’s “not a baker,” managed to make a batch while I was out running errands. (Okay, I helped with the cleanup!)

Whip these up for your next gathering or just because—it’s always a good day for cookies.

Got your apron on? LET’S DO THIS!

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5 FAQs ABOUT STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES

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