Strawberry cream cheese cookies are soft, chewy, and delicious treats that are perfect for any occasion. They are made with fresh or freeze-dried strawberries, cream cheese, butter, sugar, and other simple ingredients. The cream cheese filling in the center of each cookie adds a tangy and creamy contrast to the sweet and fruity strawberry flavor. These cookies are easy to make and bake, and they will keep well for several days in an airtight container. In this article, you will learn how to make these cookies, what ingredients you need, some tips and variations, and some frequently asked questions.
Ingredients
To make these strawberry cream cheese cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- All-purpose flour: This is the base of the cookie dough and provides structure and texture.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These are the leavening agents that help the cookies rise and spread.
- Salt: This enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.
- Granulated sugar: This adds sweetness and helps create a chewy texture.
- Unsalted butter: This adds richness and moisture to the cookies. You can use salted butter if you prefer, but omit the salt from the recipe.
- Cream cheese: This is the key ingredient for the filling and the dough. It makes the cookies soft and adds a tangy flavor. You can use regular or reduced-fat cream cheese, but avoid using fat-free or whipped varieties.
- Eggs: These bind the ingredients together and add some lift to the cookies.
- Vanilla and almond extract: These enhance the flavor and aroma of the cookies. You can use only vanilla extract if you don’t have almond extract, or substitute with lemon extract for a citrus twist.
- Strawberry jam: This is the filling for the cookies and adds a burst of strawberry flavor. You can use store-bought or homemade jam, or any other flavor of jam you like.
- Fresh or freeze-dried strawberries: These are optional, but they add some extra strawberry flavor and texture to the cookies. If you use fresh strawberries, chop them into small pieces and gently fold them into the dough. If you use freeze-dried strawberries, crush them into powder and mix them with the flour.
Instructions
To make these strawberry cream cheese cookies, follow these steps:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate, and freeze for at least an hour or until firm.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and freeze-dried strawberries if using. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and beat until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until a soft dough forms. If using fresh strawberries, fold them in gently with a spatula.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least an hour or until easy to handle.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
- Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Place on the prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly with your palm. Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
- Using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, make a small indentation in the center of each cookie. Fill each indentation with about half a teaspoon of jam.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips and Variations of strawberry cream cheese cookies
- To make these cookies more festive, you can sprinkle some granulated sugar or sanding sugar on top of the jam before baking. This will add some sparkle and crunch to the cookies.
- You can also drizzle some melted white chocolate or cream cheese frosting over the cooled cookies for extra decadence.
- You can use any flavor of jam or preserves you like, such as raspberry, blueberry, apricot, or peach. You can also use Nutella, peanut butter, or dulce de leche for a different filling.
- You can use a cake mix instead of flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt for a shortcut. Just follow the directions on the package and add the cream cheese, butter, egg, and extracts. You may need to adjust the amount of dough and jam depending on the size of the cookies.
- You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions and answers about these strawberry cream cheese cookies:
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh or freeze-dried?
Yes, you can, but you need to thaw them and drain them well before chopping and adding them to the dough. Frozen strawberries will release more moisture and make the dough wetter and stickier, so you may need to add more flour to adjust the consistency.
How do I store these cookies?
You can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. The cream cheese filling will keep the cookies soft and moist, but you can also microwave them for a few seconds to warm them up before serving.
Can I make these cookies vegan or gluten-free?
Yes, you can, but you will need to use some substitutes. For vegan cookies, you can use vegan butter, vegan cream cheese, a flax egg, and vegan jam. For gluten-free cookies, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and check the labels of the other ingredients for any gluten traces.
How many calories in a strawberry cheesecake cookie?
According to one source, a strawberry cheesecake cookie has about 133 calories per serving. A serving size is one cookie, which is about 25 grams.
What is strawberry cookie made of?
There are different recipes for making strawberry cookies, but one common ingredient is fresh strawberries. For example, one recipe uses strawberry cake mix, cool whip, an egg, and powdered sugar to make soft and fluffy cookies. Another recipe uses all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, granulated sugar, cream cheese, butter, an egg, vanilla extract, and fresh strawberries to make moist and rich cookies.
Do cookies with cream cheese need to be refrigerated?
It depends on the amount and type of cream cheese used in the cookies. For items with a large amount of cream cheese, like cheesecake, it’s best to refrigerate after baking to prevent bacterial overgrowth and food poisoning. Other items, like brownies and cookies, that only have a small amount of cream cheese don’t need to be refrigerated, since the flour and sugar absorb excess moisture. However, refrigerating cookies with cream cheese can help them stay fresh longer and prevent them from drying out or becoming too soft.
Can you freeze cheese cookies?
Yes, you can freeze cheese cookies, either before or after baking. To freeze unbaked cookie dough, shape it into balls or logs and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags. Freeze for up to six months and bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time. To freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to six months and thaw at room temperature or in the oven.
How long do cookies last?
The shelf life of cookies depends on a variety of factors, such as the type, ingredients, storage method, and freshness of the cookies. In general, cookies will last for about three days at room temperature, if stored correctly in an airtight container or bag. Cookies can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to six months. However, different types of cookies may have different storage requirements and expiration dates. For example, cookies with dairy or egg-based fillings or frostings should be refrigerated or frozen as soon as possible, while cookies with strong flavors should be stored separately from other cookies to prevent flavor mixing.
What is the best way to store cookies?
The best way to store cookies is to keep them in an airtight container or bag at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. This will help prevent cookies from becoming stale, soft, or hard. However, some cookies may benefit from different storage methods, depending on their texture and ingredients. For example, soft cookies can be kept moist by adding a slice of bread to the container, while crispy cookies can be kept crisp by leaving the container slightly open to allow some air circulation. Cookies with perishable fillings or frostings should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, while cookies with strong flavors should be stored separately from other cookies.
Can you store homemade cookies?
Yes, you can store homemade cookies, as long as you follow some basic guidelines. First, let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before storing them, to avoid condensation and sogginess. Second, choose an appropriate container or bag for your cookies, based on their type, texture, and ingredients. Use airtight containers or bags for soft cookies, and looser containers or bags for crispy cookies. Separate cookies with different flavors or fillings, and use parchment paper or wax paper between layers of cookies to prevent sticking. Third, store your cookies in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard. Avoid storing cookies near heat sources, such as ovens, stoves, or radiators, or in humid places, such as bathrooms or dishwashers. Fourth, enjoy your cookies within a few days, or freeze them for longer storage. Frozen cookies can be thawed at room temperature or in the oven.
How should I store cookies overnight?
If you want to store cookies overnight, you can follow the same steps as for storing cookies at room temperature. However, if your cookies have any dairy or egg-based fillings or frostings, such as cream cheese, whipped cream, or custard, you should store them in the refrigerator or freezer, to prevent spoilage and food poisoning. Also, if your cookies are very soft or delicate, you may want to store them in a single layer, rather than stacking them, to avoid crushing or breaking them.
How do you store cookies short term?
If you only need to store cookies for a short term, such as a few hours or a day, you can use a simple container or bag that is not airtight. For example, you can use a cookie jar, a cookie tin, or a plastic bag with a small opening. This will allow some air to reach the cookies, which can help keep them crisp and fresh. However, this method is not suitable for cookies with perishable fillings or frostings, or cookies with strong flavors, as they may spoil or lose their flavor quickly. For these cookies, you should use an airtight container or bag, and store them in the refrigerator or freezer.