Cheesecake Cookies

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These Cheesecake Cookies are one of everyone’s favorites during the holidays. They’re tender, light and will melt in your mouth!

This Christmas cheesecake cookie recipe results in creamy, like a crispy cheesecake, cookies; A unique crowd pleaser.

A closeup on the cheesecake cookie coated in powdered sugar.

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History of Cheesecake

Cheesecake started to show up around the fifth century BC in Greece. Eventually it made it’s way around the world. Cheesecake as we know it today has only been around for the last 90 years, when it was started to be made with cream cheese.

Why This Dessert Recipe is a Keeper

  • 30 Minutes: This delicious cookie will be ready to eat in about 30 minutes.
  • Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients can be found in your pantry or fridge. Softened cream cheese is the star so remember to set it out.
  • Family Friendly: The whole family is going to go crazy for these bite-sized cookies.
  • Perfect for the Holidays: Since these cookies don’t take long to make, they’re perfect to whip up for a holiday party for those who love cheesecake flavor.

If you’re looking for more cookie recipes, try these Strawberry Crunch Cookies, Lemon Curd Cookies and Brownie Cake Cookies from Mix

Should these cheesecake cookies be crispy or chewy?

Cookies on a baking sheet.

These cookies will be crispy like how a cheesecake is but they’re also light and fluffy.

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Variations and Substitutions to Help you Love this Recipe

  • Sugar Substitute: change the calories by working with a sugar free version of your favorite sweeteners. No liquid, make sure it is a one to one substitute. It will taste like cheesecake.
  • Cookie Pieces: Try adding your favorite cookie crumbled up to make Oreo cheesecake cookies for a cookies and cream flavor to the cookie dough balls. This is a great recipe that your family will love these cookies.
  • Brown Sugar: Try sprinkling brown sugar on the top instead of powdered sugar.
  • Chill: The remaining dough should be chilled to keep cookies from spreading too much.

How to Make Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies

Christmas cream cheese cookies come together in just a few easy steps. If you want cheesecake but do not have a lot of time, make the cookie instead. Let us know if you made this recipe we love reader interactions.

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These are the basic easy to follow steps for making Cheesecake Cookies. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Mixing the cookie dough.

STEP 1: Prep

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare your baking sheet with parchment paper. Set out your regular cream cheese before you make the cookie dough..

STEP 2: Cream Together Cream Cheese Mixture

In a large bowl, use a stand mixer to beat together butter and cream cheese and granulated sugar. Add egg and vanilla or two teaspoons of almond extract. Whisk together ingredients with the sugar until smooth.

STEP 3: Gradually Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet until Ball of Dough Forms

Next, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt and mix until a dough forms.

Forming the cookies and baking.

STEP 4: Dough Balls

Scoop out about a tablespoon of cookie dough with a cookie scoop, and roll into 1 ½ inch spheres. Place cookie dough onto a lined baking sheet (you might need 2 pans), leaving at least 1 ½ inches apart from each other.

STEP 5: Bake the Cream Cheese Balls

Bake time of 11-13 minutes. Allow to cool completely then sprinkle with powdered sugar. The cheesecake cookies are soft and the cookies taste just like cheesecake.

Recipe FAQs for Cheesecake Cookies

Maybe. These cookies were not tested with fruit/jam in the dough.

Sure! Remember that sometimes gluten free flour bakes differently that regular flour, but go ahead and use the same measurements. You can also use vegan cream cheese to make these cheesecake in a cookie.

Store the soft cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers at room temperature or in the fridge. Keep the cookies in a freezer for up to 3 months in a freezer bag or airtight container.

Milk and cheesecake cookies.

Expert Tips for Making This Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies Recipe

  • Chips: Use white chocolate chips for cream cheese chocolate chip cookies.
  • Nuts: Maybe add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter.
  • Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies: Try a dollop of strawberry jam, or raspberry jam, for strawberry flavor cheesecake cookies.
  • Drizzle: Melt some chocolate and drizzle on top of the cookies. Or make a chocolate cheesecake, even add semisweet chocolate chips and make a new recipe. These cookies are delicious.
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Make these Cheesecake Cookies more like cheesecake by rolling them in a graham cracker crust.
  • Frosting: Cream cheese frosting adds even more creamy goodness to the cookies. Top with some festive sprinkles or sanding sugar.
  • Extract: You can use vanilla extract or even cream cheese extract for even more flavor.
  • Zest: Use orange or lemon zest to add a nice citrusy flavor to the cookies dough before baking.

More Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies Recipes

A closeup on the cheesecake cookie coated in powdered sugar.
4.94 from 29 votes

Cheesecake Cookies

Yield: 18 cookies
Prep: 18 minutes
Cook: 13 minutes
Total: 31 minutes
These Cheesecake Cookies are one of everyone’s favorites during the holidays. They’re tender, light and will melt in your mouth!
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons Butter, softened (about ½ cup)
  • 4 ounces Cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 Large egg, whisked at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoon Almond extract
  • 1 ¾ cup Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • Powdered sugar for garnishing

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together softened butter and cream cheese with granulated sugar.
  • Add egg and almond extract. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Next, add the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Mix until a cookie dough forms.
  • Roll the cookie dough into 1 ½ inch spheres. Place gently on a cookie sheet (you may have to bake it on 2 pans), leaving at least 1 ½ inches apart from each other.
  • Bake for 11 to 13 minutes. Allow to cool then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Expert Tips

 
  • Chips: Use white chocolate chips for cream cheese chocolate chip cookies.
  • Nuts: Maybe add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter.
  • Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies: Try a dollop of strawberry jam, or raspberry jam, for strawberry flavor cheesecake cookies.
  • Drizzle: Melt some chocolate and drizzle on top of the cookies.
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Make these cookies more like cheesecake by rolling them in a graham cracker crust.
  • Frosting: Cream cheese frosting adds even more creamy goodness to the cookies. Top with some festive sprinkles or sanding sugar.
  • Extract: You can use vanilla extract or even cream cheese extract for even more flavor.
  • Zest: Use orange or lemon zest to add a nice citrusy flavor to these cookies.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

5 thoughts on “Cheesecake Cookies”

    • It is a stickier dough. The recipe is correct. Refrigeration will allow it to firm up. Also try using damp hands as you roll them.

      Reply

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