Soft Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies – Sweet & Creamy Bites Recipe
Soft Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies are delightful sweet and creamy bites combining tender, pink-hued cookie dough with a luscious cheesecake filling and a fruity strawberry jam center. Finished with a delicate pink glaze and sparkling sugar, these cookies offer a perfect balance of rich, creamy texture and fruity sweetness, ideal for special occasions or anytime indulgence.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 18-20 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cookie Dough:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring (optional)
Creamy Cheesecake Filling:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup strawberry jam
Decorative Topping:
- Pink glaze (made with powdered sugar and a few drops of milk)
- Sparkling sugar for garnish
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is essential to achieve soft, tender cookies. Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until smooth. If desired, add a few drops of pink food coloring to give the dough a vibrant pink hue.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful to avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a separate small bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. Keep the strawberry jam in a separate bowl for easy assembly.
- Assemble the Cookies: Scoop about one tablespoon of the cookie dough and flatten it slightly in your hand. Place a small spoonful of the cream cheese mixture in the center of the dough, then add a dab of strawberry jam atop it. Carefully wrap the dough around the filling, sealing the edges well to prevent leaks during baking.
- Bake: Arrange the filled cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately one inch apart to allow for slight spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely before decorating.
- Decorate with Glaze and Sugar: Drizzle the cooled cookies with a delicate pink glaze made by mixing powdered sugar with a few drops of milk. Finally, sprinkle sparkling sugar on top for a beautiful, festive finish.
Notes
- Softened butter and cream cheese should be at room temperature for easier mixing.
- For a more pronounced strawberry flavor, use high-quality strawberry jam.
- Do not overmix the dough to maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Ensure edges of dough are well sealed to avoid filling leakage.
- Cookies should be completely cool before icing to prevent glaze from melting.
- Pink food coloring is optional but adds lovely visual appeal.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.
Keywords: strawberry cheesecake cookies, soft cookies, sweet cookies, creamy filling, dessert cookies, baked treats, strawberry jam cookies