If you’re here, thank you—truly. Sharing recipes like these Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies is one of my greatest joys, and the fact that you’re reading this means we’re kindred spirits in the kitchen. Let me tell you, this cookie recipe is something special. Right after I baked the first batch, I knew it had to be shared. These little delights are soft, creamy, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor—strawberry cheesecake cookies are everything you love about dessert, packed into a sweet, handheld bite.
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What Are Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies?
Strawberry cheesecake cookies are a hybrid dessert combining the comforting, buttery goodness of cookies with the creamy, tangy sweetness of cheesecake. Each cookie has a soft sugar-cookie-like base, a dollop of creamy cheesecake filling, and bits of real strawberry (or jam!) swirled throughout. They’re soft-baked, a little gooey in the center, and just the right amount of indulgent.
Why You’ll Fall in Love With These Cookies
- Creamy + chewy: That cheesecake swirl isn’t just for looks—every bite gives you creamy tang paired with soft cookie texture.
- Fruit-forward flavor: Real strawberries or strawberry preserves make these shine with fresh, natural sweetness.
- Perfect for any occasion: They feel fancy but are secretly super simple to make!
- Customizable: You can easily switch out the fruit or even add a little white chocolate for extra decadence.
What Do Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Taste Like?
Imagine biting into a tender sugar cookie, only to discover a creamy cheesecake center and little bursts of juicy strawberry. They’re rich and buttery, slightly tangy from the cream cheese, and balanced with the natural sweetness of strawberries. Think: summer picnic meets elegant dessert bar.
Benefits of This Recipe
- No need to make a whole cheesecake! These cookies bring the same flavors in a fraction of the time.
- Freezer-friendly for make-ahead baking.
- Great for gifting or parties—they look fancy without much effort.
- Kid-approved but sophisticated enough for adult palates.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cookie Dough:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Swirl:
- ⅓ cup strawberry jam or finely diced fresh strawberries
- Optional: a drop of red food coloring for a vibrant swirl
Tools You’ll Need
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Freezer-safe plate or tray (for freezing filling)
Ingredient Swaps and Additions
- Jam vs fresh strawberries: Jam gives a more uniform swirl, while fresh berries offer bursts of texture.
- Add-ins: White chocolate chips, crushed graham crackers, or even a pinch of lemon zest can take these to another level.
- Make it gluten-free: Just sub in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Low-sugar option: Use a reduced-sugar jam and reduce granulated sugar by ¼ cup (the cookie will be less sweet but still delicious).
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
Step 1: Make the Cheesecake Filling
In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Drop 1-teaspoon dollops onto a parchment-lined plate and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the egg and vanilla; mix until combined. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Assemble the Cookies
Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough, flatten into a disc, and place a frozen cheesecake dollop in the center. Top with another smaller piece of dough and seal the edges. Gently swirl a teaspoon of strawberry jam over the top using a toothpick or the tip of a butter knife.
Step 4: Bake
Place cookies on a lined baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–14 minutes, until edges are set but centers are still slightly soft. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
What to Serve with Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
- A glass of cold milk or almond milk for dunking!
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
- Fresh strawberries and mint for a dessert platter.
- Coffee or a fruity herbal tea for a charming afternoon treat.
Pro Tips for Cookie Success
- Don’t skip freezing the filling—this keeps it from melting into the dough.
- Room temp butter and cream cheese are key for smooth mixing.
- Let cookies cool fully before storing, or the filling might weep.
- Bake one test cookie first to check spreading—chill dough slightly if they flatten too much.
How to Store Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheating: Enjoy them chilled, or warm slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds for that just-baked feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes! Just thaw and blot them dry before chopping to avoid soggy dough.
Do these need to be refrigerated?
Yes—because of the cream cheese filling, store them in the fridge.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely. Make and freeze the cookie dough (stuffed and all) on a baking tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag and bake from frozen—just add 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
Wrapping It All Up
There’s just something magical about cookies that taste like your favorite slice of cheesecake—sweet, soft, slightly tangy, and utterly satisfying. These Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies check every box: pretty enough for a party, easy enough for a weekday, and delicious enough to disappear in minutes.
If you loved this recipe, here are a few more reader favorites to add to your dessert rotation:
- Loaded Butterscotch Cheesecake – Rich, buttery, and totally over-the-top in the best way.
- Marry Me Shrimp Pasta – Because who said dinner can’t be just as romantic as dessert?
- Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Mac and Cheese – A perfect sweet-meets-savory dinner to follow up with a strawberry cheesecake cookie finale.
📌 Don’t forget to Pin this recipe and tag your creations on Pinterest @RecipeDuneP! I absolutely love seeing what you bake.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approx.)
- Calories: 170
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 2g
Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies: A Dreamy Dessert Worth Baking Again and Again
These Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies are soft, rich, and filled with creamy cheesecake centers and swirls of real strawberry jam. Every bite is like a mini cheesecake, wrapped in a buttery cookie shell—easy to make, totally irresistible, and perfect for sharing (or not!).
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
-
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
-
¾ cup granulated sugar
-
1 large egg
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
-
½ tsp baking powder
-
¼ tsp baking soda
-
¼ tsp salt
For the Cheesecake Filling
-
6 oz cream cheese, softened
-
¼ cup powdered sugar
-
½ tsp vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Swirl
-
⅓ cup strawberry jam or finely diced fresh strawberries
-
Optional: 1–2 drops red food coloring (for a brighter swirl)
Instructions
-
Make the Cheesecake Filling:
In a small bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drop teaspoon-sized dollops onto a parchment-lined plate and freeze for 30–60 minutes. -
Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add the egg and vanilla, and mix until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix dry ingredients into the wet until a soft dough forms. -
Assemble the Cookies:
Scoop 1½ tablespoons of dough and flatten slightly. Place one frozen cream cheese dollop in the center, then cover with another smaller piece of dough. Seal the edges and gently roll into a ball. Swirl about 1 teaspoon of strawberry jam over the top using a toothpick or knife.
-
Bake:
Arrange cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–14 minutes, or until edges are set but centers still look slightly soft. Cool 5 minutes on the pan before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
-
Don’t skip freezing the filling—it keeps the cream cheese from melting into the dough!
-
For a smoother swirl, use jam; for texture, go with chopped strawberries.
-
Chill dough slightly before baking if cookies spread too much during your test batch.
-
Store in the fridge due to the cheesecake filling, and enjoy cold or lightly warmed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: strawberry cheesecake cookies, cheesecake cookies, strawberry cookies, stuffed cookies, cream cheese cookies