Description
Sweet cherry cheesecake cookies blend creamy richness with fruity charm, creating an irresistible dessert that melts in your mouth. Each bite promises a delightful balance of tangy cream cheese and luscious cherry goodness you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (21 ounces/595 grams) cherry pie filling
Sweeteners and Binding:
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
- Create the cookie base by whipping softened butter and sugar until airy and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, ensuring complete integration.
- Separately combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing until a cohesive dough develops.
- Craft the creamy cheesecake filling by blending cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until silky and uniform in texture.
- Form cookie dough into tablespoon-sized spheres, positioning them evenly across baking sheets with 2-inch spacing.
- Gently press a thumb or spoon indentation into the center of each cookie dough ball, creating a perfect vessel for filling.
- Delicately spoon cream cheese mixture into the cookie centers, ensuring precise and even distribution.
- Crown each filled cookie with cherry pie filling, strategically placing 1-2 cherries for maximum visual and flavor appeal.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until cookie edges turn golden and centers stabilize. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Notes
- Swap cream cheese for dairy-free alternatives like vegan cream cheese to make these cookies suitable for lactose-intolerant or vegan diets.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain a perfect round cookie shape during baking.
- Use fresh cherries as a healthier alternative to pie filling, chopping them finely and mixing with a touch of honey for natural sweetness.
- Experiment with different fruit preserves like raspberry or blueberry to create unique flavor variations that still complement the creamy cheesecake center.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg