If you’re a cheesecake lover and a cookie fanatic, get ready for a treat that will blow your mind—cheesecake cookies! Imagine the rich, creamy taste of cheesecake combined with the soft, chewy texture of a perfectly baked cookie. Sounds like dessert heaven, right?
Now, picture this: It’s a cozy evening, and you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to commit to baking a full cheesecake. Enter cheesecake cookies—all the indulgence of cheesecake, wrapped up in a delicious, handheld cookie that’s easy to make and even easier to devour. Whether you’re looking for a new favorite dessert, an easy holiday bake, or a crowd-pleasing treat, this recipe is guaranteed to become your new obsession.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the best cheesecake cookie recipe, with expert baking tips, variations, and storage hacks to make sure your cookies turn out perfectly soft, creamy, and delicious every single time. Ready to bake? Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Cheesecake Cookies
These cheesecake cookies are about to become your new favorite dessert, and here’s why:
Perfectly Soft & Creamy
Each bite delivers that signature cheesecake creaminess while maintaining the chewy, melt-in-your-mouth texture of a cookie. Thanks to real cream cheese and a touch of cheesecake pudding mix, these cookies capture the authentic flavor of classic cheesecake in a handheld treat.
Quick & Easy to Make
Unlike traditional cheesecake, which requires a water bath, hours of chilling, and a perfect bake, these cookies are simple and foolproof. From mixing to baking, you’ll have warm, fresh cookies ready in under 30 minutes!
Versatile & Customizable
Love classic New York-style cheesecake? Keep them plain. Prefer a fruity twist? Top them with strawberries, blueberries, or a drizzle of caramel. You can even mix in Oreos, chocolate chips, or nuts for extra indulgence.
Great for Make-Ahead & Freezing
These cookies store beautifully in the fridge and freeze well for up to 3 months. Whether you’re prepping for a party, gifting them to a friend, or saving a secret stash for yourself, they’ll stay just as fresh and delicious as the day you baked them.
A Crowd-Pleasing Treat
Perfect for holidays, birthdays, bake sales, or just a casual sweet tooth craving, these cheesecake cookies are guaranteed to impress. The combination of familiar cookie comfort and luxurious cheesecake flavor makes them a universal favorite.
Key Ingredients & What Makes Them Special
To create the best cheesecake cookies, we’re using a few secret ingredients that give them their signature soft, creamy, and rich flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and why each ingredient is essential:
🧈 Salted Butter – The Base of a Perfect Cookie
Using salted butter balances the sweetness and enhances the richness of the cookies. If you only have unsalted butter, just add a pinch of extra salt to the dough.
🧀 Cream Cheese – The Star Ingredient!
For a true cheesecake flavor, always use full-fat cream cheese in a block—not the spreadable kind in a tub! The block cream cheese gives these cookies their velvety, creamy texture.
🍚 Granulated Sugar & Powdered Sugar – The Sweet Duo
A combination of granulated sugar (for structure) and powdered sugar (for softness) ensures that these cookies have the perfect chewy yet tender bite, just like real cheesecake.
🥚 Eggs – For Moisture & Structure
Eggs help bind the ingredients together, giving the cookies stability while keeping them moist and rich.
🍦 Vanilla Extract – Enhancing the Cheesecake Flavor
A generous splash of pure vanilla extract elevates the tangy cream cheese and makes these cookies taste just like a classic New York cheesecake.
🍮 Cheesecake Pudding Mix – The Secret to Creaminess!
This is the game-changer! Using instant cheesecake pudding mix (just the dry powder, not prepared pudding) adds an extra boost of cheesecake flavor while making the cookies incredibly soft.
🌾 All-Purpose Flour – The Structure Builder
Flour provides the necessary structure, helping the cookies hold their shape without becoming too dense.
🥄 Baking Soda – The Rising Agent
A little baking soda gives the cookies a slight lift and softness, preventing them from being too heavy.
🧂 Salt – A Flavor Enhancer
Salt may seem like a small detail, but it plays a huge role in balancing sweetness and bringing out all the flavors in the dough.
How to Make Cheesecake Cookies (Step-by-Step Guide)
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s walk through the step-by-step process to make these soft, creamy cheesecake cookies. This method ensures your cookies come out perfect every single time!
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Essentials
✅ Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
✅ Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
✅ Prepare a small bowl of granulated sugar for rolling the dough before baking.
Step 2: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese & Sugar
1️⃣ In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ cup of salted butter and ¼ cup of cream cheese.
2️⃣ Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat them together on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color (about 2 minutes).
3️⃣ Add ½ cup of granulated sugar and continue mixing until fully incorporated.
👉 Pro Tip: Creaming the butter and cream cheese properly is key to achieving that soft and smooth texture in your cookies!
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
1️⃣ Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add 2 eggs and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.
2️⃣ Mix on low speed until everything is well combined and smooth.
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
1️⃣ Gradually add the following dry ingredients to the mixture:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- ½ cup of powdered sugar
- 1 (3.4 oz) box of instant cheesecake pudding mix (just the dry powder!)
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 2️⃣ Mix on low speed until a soft and slightly sticky dough forms.
👉 Pro Tip: Don’t overmix! Overmixing can make the cookies dense instead of soft and chewy.
Step 5: Shape & Roll the Cookie Dough
1️⃣ Use a cookie scoop (#40 size) or a tablespoon to measure 1 ½ tablespoons of dough per cookie.
2️⃣ Roll each ball of dough in the bowl of granulated sugar to give it a lightly crisp exterior.
3️⃣ Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 6: Flatten the Cookies
1️⃣ Take the bottom of a drinking glass and gently press each cookie to flatten them slightly.
2️⃣ The cookies will not spread much in the oven, so this step ensures they bake evenly.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
1️⃣ Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes.
2️⃣ The cookies will puff up slightly and crack on top when they’re done.
3️⃣ Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes.
👉 Pro Tip: The cookies may look slightly underbaked in the center, but don’t worry—they’ll firm up as they cool!
Step 8: Chill & Enjoy!
1️⃣ Once completely cooled, transfer the cookies to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
2️⃣ Cheesecake cookies taste best when chilled, just like real cheesecake!
Pro Tips for the Best Cheesecake Cookies
Want to make bakery-quality cheesecake cookies every time? Follow these expert baking tips to achieve the perfect soft, creamy, and flavorful cookies!
Tip #1: Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese
Always use block-style, full-fat cream cheese, not the spreadable kind in a tub. The higher fat content gives these cookies their signature creamy texture and rich cheesecake flavor.
Tip #2: Don’t Overmix the Dough
Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can develop too much gluten, making the cookies tough instead of soft and chewy.
Tip #3: Chill the Dough for Thicker Cookies
If you want extra thick cheesecake cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before scooping and baking. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
Tip #4: Always Serve Chilled for the Best Texture
These cookies taste just like cheesecake when served cold! After baking, let them cool completely and store them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before eating.
Tip #5: Experiment with Toppings & Mix-Ins
Want to get creative? Try these delicious ways to customize your cheesecake cookies:
- 🍓 Fresh Berries – Add strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries on top.
- 🍫 Chocolate Chips – Mix in white, dark, or milk chocolate chips for extra indulgence.
- 🍪 Oreo Crumbles – Stir in crushed Oreos for Oreo cheesecake cookies.
- 🥜 Nuts – Walnuts, pecans, or almonds add a satisfying crunch.
- 🍯 Caramel or Honey Drizzle – A light drizzle of caramel or honey takes them to the next level.
Your New Favorite Cookie Awaits!
If you love cheesecake and cookies, these cheesecake cookies are about to become your new go-to dessert. With their creamy texture, rich flavor, and soft, chewy bite, they’re perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a cozy night in, a bake sale, or a holiday treat. Plus, they’re easy to make and totally customizable, so you can tweak them to fit your cravings!
Now that you’ve got the perfect cheesecake cookie recipe, why stop here? Check out more delicious cookie recipes that will take your baking game to the next level:
🍪 Soft & Chewy Lofthouse Cookies
🍫 Ultimate Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies
🎂 Decadent Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Which flavor twist are you trying first? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this recipe with fellow cheesecake lovers! Happy baking!
Cheesecake Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
- Cookie scoop (#40 size) or tablespoon
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Drinking glass (for flattening cookies)
Materials
- 1/2 cup salted butter softened
- 1/4 cup full-fat block cream cheese
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus extra for rolling
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 3.4 oz box instant cheesecake pudding mix
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add granulated sugar and mix until incorporated.
- Scrape down the bowl, then add eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add flour, powdered sugar, pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and roll in granulated sugar.
- Place dough balls on the baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Flatten each dough ball slightly using the bottom of a drinking glass.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until cookies are slightly puffed and cracked on top.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best cheesecake-like texture.
Frequently Asked Questions :
What cookies to use for cheesecake?
The best cookies for a cheesecake crust include Graham crackers, Oreo cookies, vanilla wafers, and shortbread cookies. Graham crackers are the classic choice, but Oreos add a chocolatey twist, while vanilla wafers and shortbread give a buttery flavor.
What is Snoop Dogg’s cookie recipe?
Snoop Dogg’s famous cookie recipe is his Rolling in the Dough peanut butter chocolate chip cookies from his cookbook From Crook to Cook. It includes peanut butter, brown sugar, chocolate chips, and a hint of cinnamon.
Do cheesecake cookies have to be refrigerated?
Yes! Since cheesecake cookies contain cream cheese, they must be refrigerated to prevent spoilage. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
What makes NY cheesecake different?
New York cheesecake is denser, richer, and creamier than other types. It uses lots of cream cheese, heavy cream, eggs, and sometimes sour cream for an ultra-smooth texture. It’s also baked in a water bath to prevent cracks.
What biscuits can I use for a cheesecake base?
Popular biscuits for a cheesecake base in the USA include:
Graham crackers (classic, slightly sweet)
Oreo cookies (for a chocolate crust)
Biscoff cookies (caramelized flavor)
Shortbread cookies (buttery and crumbly)
Can you make cheesecake with chocolate chip cookies?
Yes! You can crush chocolate chip cookies to make a crust or even mix cookie dough into the cheesecake batter. Some recipes layer cheesecake filling over a chocolate chip cookie base for a decadent treat.