Name: Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, room temperature; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3/4 cup fresh strawberries, diced (or frozen, thawed and dried); Optional: 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

8 oz full-fat cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 cup fresh strawberries, diced (or frozen, thawed and dried)

Optional: 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2: Wash, dry, and dice the strawberries into small pieces about 1/4 inch in size. Blot them with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt.

Step 4: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes using a hand mixer.

Step 5: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.

Step 6: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two batches, mixing on low speed or folding gently with a spatula until just combined.

Step 7: Gently fold in the diced strawberries and, if using, the white chocolate chips. If the dough feels too wet, chill it in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes before baking.

Step 8: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can shape the dough into hearts if you like.

Step 9: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers are set but still soft.

Step 10: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for a smooth batter and tender cookies.

Make sure to dry the strawberries thoroughly to avoid soggy cookies.

If the kitchen is warm or the dough feels loose, chill it before baking to help cookies hold their shape.

For a gluten-free version, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free graham cracker crumbs.

Adding white chocolate chips enhances the sweetness and adds a lovely creaminess.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but be sure to thaw them completely and blot them dry to remove as much moisture as possible to prevent soggy cookies.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

To make them dairy-free, you can try substituting cream cheese and butter with plant-based alternatives, but results may vary. Look for dairy-free cream cheese and butter substitutes designed for baking.