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Cheesecake Cookies with Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

4.7 from 80 reviews

These Cheesecake Cookies feature a creamy, dreamy cheesecake filling surrounded by soft, flavorful cookie dough with hints of strawberry and vanilla. Rolled in sugar for a delicate crunch, these cookies bake to perfection with slightly crisp edges and soft centers, making for an irresistible dessert treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon strawberry extract
  • 1 teaspoon red or pink food coloring (optional)
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • ⅔ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

  • About 1 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cheesecake Filling: Beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. Using a teaspoon or small spoon, drop 1–2 teaspoon-sized dollops onto a parchment-lined tray. Freeze these dollops for 30 to 60 minutes until firm.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter together with packed brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, strawberry extract, and red or pink food coloring (if using) until everything is fully combined and uniform in color.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: On low speed, incorporate all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture just until combined. The dough should be thick and not sticky.
  5. Stuff Cookies: Take about 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten it into a disc in your hand. Place one frozen cheesecake dollop in the center, then completely encase it with the dough, sealing it well. Roll the filled dough ball smoothly and then coat it evenly with granulated sugar.
  6. Bake: Arrange the sugar-coated cookie balls on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookie edges should be set, but the centers remain soft. Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet to allow the cheesecake filling to firm up inside.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure cream cheese is fully softened before mixing for a smooth filling.
  • Freezing the cheesecake filling is essential; it prevents leaking while baking and keeps the center creamy.
  • Red or pink food coloring is optional but adds a festive touch to the dough.
  • Use room temperature egg to maintain even dough texture.
  • Cool cookies completely on baking sheet for filling to set properly before handling or storing.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the cheesecake filling fresh.

Keywords: Cheesecake cookies, stuffed cookies, cream cheese filled cookies, strawberry extract cookies, soft cookies with creamy filling