Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies (Printable version)

Buttery vanilla cookies filled with creamy cheesecake center and loaded with sweet freeze-dried strawberries for a delightful dessert twist.

# Ingredient list:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
09 - 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed

→ Cheesecake Filling

10 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
11 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
12 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Optional Topping

13 - 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries, crushed

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Add egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, scraping down the bowl as necessary to ensure even blending.
06 - Gently fold in crushed freeze-dried strawberries until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
07 - Combine cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl. Mix until completely smooth and creamy.
08 - Scoop 1 tablespoon of cookie dough and flatten slightly in your palm. Place 1 teaspoon of cheesecake filling in the center. Cover with a second tablespoon of dough, sealing edges completely to enclose the filling. Roll into a ball and place on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
09 - Bake for 11-13 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers are set.
10 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Sprinkle with extra crushed freeze-dried strawberries, if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The surprise creamy center makes every bite feel like a little dessert treasure hunt
  • Freeze-dried strawberries pack intense flavor without making the dough soggy
  • These look impressive but come together faster than you would expect
02 -
  • Sealing the dough around the filling completely is crucial or the cheesecake will leak during baking
  • These cookies freeze beautifully unbaked, just add an extra minute to the baking time
  • If the dough feels too sticky, chill it for 15 minutes before assembling
03 -
  • Crush the freeze-dried strawberries to different sizes, some powder and some small pieces for texture variety
  • Use a small cookie scoop for consistent dough portions, which helps them bake evenly

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