Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

Have you ever bitten into something and instantly felt like summer was dancing on your tongue? That’s exactly what happens when you bake these strawberry cheesecake cookies. Soft and chewy, filled with a creamy cheesecake center, and packed with juicy strawberries and sweet white chocolate chips — it’s everything I love about easy strawberry desserts wrapped up into one perfect cookie.

The scent of ripe strawberries in the sun-drenched square still lingers…

When I was about eight, we lived in a tiny village near Florence for a season. One weekend, my mom and I wandered into the local market. It was overflowing with baskets of sun-warmed strawberries, their sweet perfume filling the air. I remember biting into one, juice running down my chin, thinking, this must be what happiness tastes like. Every time I bake these cookies, that memory blooms fresh again — pure, simple, messy joy. These cookies are like summer joy baked into every bite.

If you’re craving more strawberry magic, don’t miss my Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake — another strawberry-packed dessert you’ll love!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll want to gather before you start:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted or softened

• 1 cup brown sugar

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup white chocolate chips

• ¾ cup chopped dried strawberries or fresh strawberries

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese

• ¼–⅓ cup powdered sugar

• ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Optional Additions:

• 1 tsp lemon zest for a fresh twist

• Swap a handful of white chocolate chips with semi-sweet chips for a richer cookie.

Fresh vs. Dried Strawberries:

If you’re baking in the heart of summer, fresh strawberries bring a bright burst of juicy flavor. But when winter wraps its chilly arms around us, I reach for dried strawberries — they add a cozy, chewy pop that reminds me sunshine isn’t too far away.

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

Let’s roll up our sleeves and bake something beautiful!

1. Make the Cheesecake Filling

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and optional vanilla until smooth. Scoop tiny teaspoons of filling onto a parchment-lined plate and freeze for 30–60 minutes.

✨ Eva’s Tip: Partially freezing the filling keeps the centers ultra-creamy without melting all over!

This step is always a family affair in our kitchen. Emma and Lily love helping me roll the cheesecake into little balls — although, if I’m being honest, more than a few “mysteriously” vanish into giggling mouths before they make it to the freezer!

2. Prepare the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, stirring well.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring just until combined. Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and strawberries.

✨ Eva’s Tip: If you’re using fresh strawberries, chop them fine and pat them dry with paper towels to avoid soggy spots in your cookies.

3. Shape and Fill the Cookies

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten into a little disk. Place a frozen cheesecake ball in the center, wrap the dough around it, and gently roll it into a ball.

✨ Eva’s Tip: A cookie scoop is your best friend here — and trust me, even little hands can help. Noah loves pretending he’s “the official scooper!”

4. Chill the Dough

Pop the cookie balls into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This short chill gives the butter a chance to firm up and helps the cookies bake thick and luscious.

✨ Eva’s Tip: Chilling is a game-changer — it’s why our cookies stay soft and chewy, even two or three days later (if they last that long!).

5. Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 11–13 minutes, until the edges are just set and the centers are slightly underbaked. They’ll firm up as they cool.

Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

And then? Try not to eat five in one sitting. (No judgment here!)

Seasonal Twists You’ll Love

Want to keep your strawberry cheesecake cookie magic rolling through every season? Here’s how:

🌸 Spring Vibes: Fresh strawberries + a little lemon zest = sunny, bright cookies that taste like a spring picnic.

🌿 Summer Sunshine: Go wild with juicy strawberries and enjoy these cookies cold from the fridge on a hot afternoon!

🍂 Fall Cozy: Swap in dried strawberries and add a pinch of cinnamon for warm, snuggly vibes.

❄️ Winter Wonderland: Dried strawberries + semi-sweet chocolate chips = cozy treats perfect for nibbling by the fire.

✨ Eva’s Note: I especially love baking these in winter — when the days feel short and gray, a batch of strawberry-studded cookies is pure sunshine on a plate.

If this recipe has you dreaming of more strawberry bliss, I’ve got just the thing: my Strawberry Cheesecake Bars. They’re creamy, fruity, and just the right balance of tangy and sweet — basically everything you love about cheesecake, but in bar form (and yes, they travel well for picnics!).

Make It Bakery-Style (Optional Crumbl Copycat!)

If your house is anything like ours, bigger cookies equal bigger smiles.

Here’s how to make bakery-style strawberry cheesecake cookies:

• Use a ¼-cup cookie scoop to make giant cookies.

• Bake 1–2 extra minutes, but keep those centers soft and gooey.

• Chill your dough overnight for even richer flavor.

• Once cooled, drizzle a little melted white chocolate over the top — Emma calls this “cookie jewelry” and insists on doing the honors.

Split one of these babies open and you’ll see that gorgeous creamy cheesecake center peeking out. Heaven!

Frequently Asked Questions about Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

There you have it, sweet friends — a cookie that’s part summer sunshine, part creamy cheesecake, and all kinds of irresistible.

If you bake a batch of these strawberry cheesecake cookies, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram — seeing your kitchen creations always makes me so happy. 💖

Until next time, sending you love, warm ovens, and cinnamon-sugar hands,

— Eva

Printable Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

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