Description
Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies are a delicious fusion of two beloved desserts: creamy cheesecake and sweet strawberry shortcake. These soft, chewy cookies are made with a rich, cheesecake-inspired base and are filled with chunks of fresh strawberries and a hint of tangy cream cheese. The result is a delightful cookie that combines the best of both worlds—refreshing strawberry and the indulgent richness of cheesecake. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a treat, these cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional for extra flavor)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped into small pieces
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Ingredient Highlights
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is the star of these cookies, adding a rich, tangy flavor that mimics the taste of cheesecake.
- Fresh Strawberries: Chopped fresh strawberries provide natural sweetness and moisture, making these cookies juicy and delicious.
- Butter: The butter adds a rich, tender texture to the cookies, ensuring they have a soft and chewy consistency.
- White Chocolate Chips: White chocolate chips add an extra layer of sweetness and creamy texture that complements the tang of the cream cheese (optional but highly recommended).
Instructions
Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and well-combined.
- Add the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough to ensure the cookies remain soft.
- Fold in the Strawberries and White Chocolate Chips (if using): Gently fold in the chopped strawberries and white chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Shape and Bake the Cookies:
- Scoop the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden, and the centers are set. The cookies may appear soft in the middle but will firm up as they cool.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 110-130 kcal
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 2g