The Best Cherry Cheesecake Cookies: Easy, Creamy & Bursting with Flavor
Imagine a cookie that perfectly encapsulates the rich, creamy essence of a classic cheesecake, delivered in a convenient, soft, and utterly irresistible bite. That’s precisely what these incredible Cherry Cheesecake Cookies offer! Infused with luscious cream cheese and a clever touch of cheesecake instant pudding mix, these cookies provide an unparalleled flavor experience that will surprise and delight any dessert lover. Each tender cookie is elegantly crowned with a dollop of vibrant cherry pie filling and then sprinkled with a hint of crunchy graham cracker crumbs, meticulously replicating the beloved components of a traditional cheesecake.
These cookies truly taste remarkably like a classic cheesecake – you might even find it hard to believe! The depth of flavor is so authentic that it rivals a chilled slice of the real thing. The journey to this delicious recipe began with a simple craving to try a Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip cookie variation I had. However, as I started mixing the dough, a spark of inspiration hit: why not enhance the cream cheese base with cheesecake pudding to truly transform them into a decadent, cheesecake-inspired cookie? This spontaneous decision led to an incredibly unique and successful dessert that has become a new favorite.
The cookie dough itself is absolutely heavenly. One of its most appealing features is that it doesn’t require any eggs, making it perfectly safe and incredibly tempting for those who enjoy sampling a bit of dough while baking. If you’re like me and often find the raw dough as delightful as the baked cookies, you’ll appreciate being able to indulge without worry! The dough boasts a consistency akin to a soft sugar cookie, yet it’s distinctly elevated by the presence of cream cheese and the unmistakable, subtle tang of cheesecake flavor from the pudding. This creates a wonderfully rich and adaptable foundation that promises a truly special treat even before it enters the oven.
Even after they’ve cooled, these cookies maintain an extraordinary softness and tenderness, a quality I believe comes directly from the combination of cream cheese and the instant pudding mix. These ingredients work in harmony to create a wonderfully moist crumb that practically melts in your mouth. Initially, I simply added a small amount of cherry pie filling into an indentation on top of each cookie before baking, which yields a lovely burst of fruity flavor. However, the versatility of this recipe encourages experimentation! I’m eager to try mixing in fresh raspberries or blackberries directly into the dough, or perhaps swirling them into the cherry topping for an added layer of freshness and color. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing for customization to suit any preference.
Honestly, these cookies are so incredibly flavorful on their own that they would be absolutely delicious even without any added embellishments – just as a pure, unadorned cheesecake cookie. Their inherent taste is that good. To complete the classic cheesecake experience and add a pleasing textural contrast, I chose to sprinkle a few graham cracker crumbs on top. This not only enhances their visual appeal but also provides a subtle nod to the traditional cheesecake crust. However, these crumbs are entirely optional, and the cookies are equally fantastic without them. This recipe is a prime example of a truly exceptional and adaptable cookie; I am confident that you could add almost any mix-ins or toppings imaginable, and they would consistently deliver an amazing taste.
While my appreciation for a classic cheesecake runs deep, I often find myself gravitating towards cookies, especially when preparing for social gatherings like parties, picnics, or summer potlucks. The convenience of cookies is simply unmatched. Unlike a traditional cheesecake, which typically requires constant refrigeration and careful serving, these Cherry Cheesecake Cookies are wonderfully portable and maintain their deliciousness at room temperature. This makes them an ideal, hassle-free dessert for any event where refrigeration might be limited. I’m already looking forward to exploring numerous variations of this recipe and bringing them to all the summer festivities. Although my tried-and-true Chocolate Chip cookies usually steal the show, I feel these cheesecake-inspired delights are just as good, if not more exciting, and offer a refreshing change of pace. You could even introduce chocolate chips into this dough for a delightful chocolate-cherry cheesecake cookie twist!
Cherry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Ready to bake these extraordinary Cherry Cheesecake Cookies? This easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through creating a batch of soft, flavorful cookies that taste just like your favorite cheesecake. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, you’ll find these instructions straightforward and rewarding.
Ingredients for Cherry Cheesecake Cookies
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 Tbsp. milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 (3.4 oz) cheesecake instant pudding mix
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cherry pie filling
- Graham cracker crumbs for topping, if desired
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, softened cream cheese, and milk. Using an electric mixer, cream these ingredients together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and perfectly blended. Ensure there are no visible lumps of cream cheese.
- Next, gradually beat in the sugar until it’s fully incorporated. Then, add the cheesecake instant pudding mix and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Slowly add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Mix on a low speed until the flour is just incorporated and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tougher cookies. The dough will be delightfully soft and pliable.
- Using a medium-sized cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons per cookie), portion out the dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Leave approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- With your thumb or the back of a small measuring spoon, create a slight indentation in the center of each cookie dough ball. This pocket will hold the delicious cherry pie filling.
- Carefully spoon a small amount of cherry pie filling into each indentation. Avoid overfilling, as the filling will naturally spread a little during baking.
- For that classic cheesecake look and a delightful texture, generously sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over the cherry pie filling and around the edges of each cookie. This step is optional but highly recommended for an authentic touch.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. Look for the edges to be set and the bottoms to turn a very light golden brown. The centers may still appear slightly soft, but they will firm up as the cookies cool.
- Once baked, remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these incredibly soft, creamy, and flavorful Cherry Cheesecake Cookies!
More Fruity Cookie Delights to Explore
If you’ve fallen in love with the delightful fruity notes and creamy texture of these Cherry Cheesecake Cookies, then you’re in for a treat! We have a curated selection of other favorite fruity cookie recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings and expand your baking horizons. Each recipe offers a unique burst of flavor, perfect for any occasion or simply for indulging your sweet tooth:
- Blueberry Banana Cookies: A comforting and wholesome cookie combining the sweetness of ripe bananas with juicy bursts of blueberries.
- Raspberry Meltaway Cookies: Delicate, buttery, and literally melting in your mouth, these cookies are infused with a delightful tart raspberry flavor.
- Blueberry Cream Cookies: Wonderfully soft and creamy cookies, generously studded with plump blueberries, making them an instant crowd-pleaser.
- Banana Pudding Cookies: All the nostalgic, comforting flavors of classic banana pudding transformed into a chewy, delightful cookie.
- Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies: A fantastic pairing of sweet, tart cherries and rich chocolate chips, offering a perfectly balanced and satisfying bite.
CHERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 3 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1 Tbsp. milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 3.4 oz cheesecake instant pudding mix
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cherry pie filling
- graham cracker crumbs for topping if desired
Instructions
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Cream butter, cream cheese and milk with an electric mixer until well blended.
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Beat in sugar, pudding mix and vanilla and then mix in the flour.
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Use a medium-sized cookie scoop to scoop out dough onto a cookie sheet. With your thumb, make a slight indentation on the top of each cookie. Scoop a little bit of the cherry pie filling into each indentation. If desired, sprinkle some graham cracker crumbs on top.
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Bake cookies at 350° for 8-10 minutes (until the bottoms start turning a very light golden brown). Cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!
And now for a brief, delightful diversion from our delicious cookie journey! This is our sweet puppy, Sydney. She’s actually just about to celebrate her first birthday, which, in dog years, means she’s rapidly approaching adulthood. But no matter her age, she’ll always be our little puppy! And no, I haven’t quite reached the point (nor do I ever plan to) where I consider her one of my “kids,” but she certainly holds a very special place in our family’s hearts. We’re all incredibly fond of her playful spirit and loving nature. For Christmas, my thoughtful brother gifted her this adorable raincoat. He decided she definitely needed one, especially since we live in Washington state, a place well-known for its frequent rain. It made for a truly memorable and fun photo shoot, and she looked absolutely charming in it! Sometimes, a little break for a cute puppy photo is just what you need before diving back into the wonderful world of baking delicious treats.