Cheesecake Cookies combine everything you love about classic cheesecake in an easy, handheld cookie form. Soft graham cracker cookies are baked with a simple cheesecake filling right in the center, then topped with your favorite fruit or pie filling for the perfect finishing touch.
If cheesecake is one of your favorite desserts, these cookies are a must-try. The graham cracker base is soft and chewy, the cheesecake filling is rich and creamy, and the topping options make them endlessly customizable for holidays, parties, or just because.
Recipe Highlights
- All the flavor of cheesecake, no springform pan required: These cookies give you that classic cheesecake taste without water baths, long bake times, or complicated steps.
- Soft, chewy, and creamy: The graham cracker cookie base stays tender while the cheesecake filling adds a rich, smooth contrast.
- Perfect for customizing: Use cherry pie filling, fresh berries, or any fruit topping you love to make these your own.
- Great make-ahead dessert: These cookies store well in the fridge, making them ideal for parties, holidays, or prep-ahead treats.
Ingredients in Cheesecake Cookies
- Graham cracker crumbs – You will need 2 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs for the cookie dough. You can use pre-crushed graham cracker crumbs or you can easily make your own. You will need about 20 full graham crackers. The best way to get uniform crumbs that are fine enough is to crush them in the blender. I like to do about 6-7 graham crackers at a time. If you put too many graham crackers in the blender at once, it will be difficult for the blender to blend them all at once.
- Flour – All-purpose flour works best.
- Baking powder – This is the leavening agent in the cookies. For best results, make sure your baking powder isn’t old or expired.
- Butter – You will need 1 cup of softened butter (2 sticks). For best results, use real butter.
- Brown sugar – A cup of brown sugar adds the right amount of flavor and sweetness. Fresh brown sugar works best.
- Eggs – You will need two eggs for these cookies and the yolks and egg whites need to separated. The egg whites are added to the cookie dough and the yolks to the cheesecake filling.
- Cream cheese – The cream cheese needs to be softened to room temperature before mixing with the other ingredients.
- Sugar – Just 1/2 cup of granulated sugar will sweeten up the cheesecake filling.
- Vanilla extract – This just adds a little bit of flavor to the filling. The higher the quality of vanilla, the better the flavor!
Tips for the Best Cheesecake Cookies
Full instructions for making the recipe can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.
- Line your pans: Parchment paper or silicone baking mats make removal easy and prevent sticking.
- Soften, don’t melt the butter: Soft butter ensures a tender cookie. Melted butter will cause spreading.
- Use a cookie scoop: This keeps the cookies uniform in size and helps them bake evenly.
- Don’t overbake: The cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when removed from the oven. They’ll finish setting as they cool.
Storage Instructions
Store Cheesecake Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. These cookies are best served chilled.
FAQs
How many graham crackers make 1 cup of crumbs?
About 8 full graham cracker sheets equal 1 cup of crumbs. You’ll need roughly 20 sheets for this recipe.
What type of cream cheese works best?
Regular cream cheese works best, but low-fat or non-fat varieties can also be used. Just make sure it’s fully softened before mixing.
How do I soften cream cheese quickly?
Cut it into smaller pieces and let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes, or microwave for 10–15 seconds, checking often to avoid melting.
What toppings work best?
Cherry pie filling is classic, but strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, or fresh fruit all work beautifully. Crushed cookies or candy also make fun variations.
More delicious cheesecake cookie recipes to try:
- Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake Cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with cookies-and-cream flavor thanks to cocoa powder, cream cheese, crushed Oreos, and optional chocolate chips.
- Made with sugar cookie dough and a creamy cheesecake layer, Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Bars are an easy one-pan dessert finished with fun sprinkles on top.
- Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies are buttery, soft cookies flavored with cream cheese, raspberries, and white chocolate for a tender, cheesecake-inspired treat.
- With creamy cheesecake stuffed inside sprinkle-filled cookie dough, Cheesecake Stuffed Funfetti Cookies combine two favorite desserts into one colorful, indulgent bite.
- Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies blend rich chocolate flavor with creamy cheesecake for soft, chewy cookies that are always a crowd favorite.
Cheesecake Cookies are graham cracker cookies baked with a simple cheesecake filling and topped with your favorite fruit or pie filling.
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