Strawberry Cream Cheese Cookies

Soft, chewy, and bursting with fresh strawberries, these Strawberry Cream Cheese Cookies are the ultimate sweet treat. Cream cheese gives them a rich, tender texture while white chocolate chunks add just the right amount of sweetness. Perfect for summer baking or anytime you want a fruity, indulgent cookie, this recipe is easy to follow and yields 36 delicious cookies.

Ingredients

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups roughly chopped fresh strawberries
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for strawberries)
• 6 oz white chocolate baking chips (½ bag)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a small bowl, combine chopped strawberries and lemon juice. Set aside.
3. Sift together 1¾ cups flour, baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt. Set aside.
4. In a stand mixer or medium bowl with hand mixer, cream together butter and cream cheese for 1½–2 minutes. Scrape down sides.
5. Add granulated sugar and continue mixing for another 1–1½ minutes.
6. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
7. Gradually add sifted flour mixture, ½ cup at a time, mixing on low.
8. Add white chocolate chips, mixing just until combined.
9. Drain lemon juice from strawberries and sprinkle 2 tbsp flour over berries. Toss to coat and discard excess flour.
10. Gently fold strawberries into dough. Chill dough in refrigerator for 10 minutes.
11. Using a 1–1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, place dough balls 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.
12. Bake for 13–15 minutes or until edges are golden. Let cookies rest 5 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Serving and Storage Tips

• Serve cookies warm with a glass of milk or as part of a dessert platter.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
• Cookie dough can also be frozen before baking for convenient fresh cookies later.

Variations

1. White Chocolate Macadamia Strawberry Cookies – Add macadamia nuts for extra crunch.
2. Strawberry Chocolate Chip Swirl – Use milk chocolate chips instead of white chocolate.
3. Strawberry Lemon Zest Cookies – Add 1 tsp lemon zest for a citrusy twist.
4. Gluten-Free Version – Substitute with a gluten-free flour blend.
5. Vegan Strawberry Cookies – Use vegan butter, egg replacer, and dairy-free chocolate chips.
6. Oat Strawberry Cookies – Add ½ cup rolled oats for chewy texture.
7. Coconut Strawberry Cookies – Fold in ½ cup shredded coconut for tropical flavor.
8. Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies – Swirl cream cheese on top before baking.
9. Double Berry Cookies – Mix in ½ cup fresh blueberries with strawberries.
10. Strawberry Almond Cookies – Add ½ cup chopped almonds for nutty flavor.
11. Strawberry Shortcake Cookies – Top baked cookies with crushed shortcake cookies.
12. Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cookies – Dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate.
13. Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cookies – Add 1 tsp vanilla bean paste instead of extract.
14. Spiced Strawberry Cookies – Add ½ tsp cinnamon and ⅛ tsp nutmeg.
15. Strawberry Jam Filled Cookies – Make an indentation in the center and fill with strawberry jam before baking.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen strawberries?
   Yes, but thaw and drain them thoroughly to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
2. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
   Yes, dough can be chilled for up to 24 hours before baking.
3. Do I have to chill the dough?
   Chilling helps prevent spreading and keeps cookies thick and chewy.
4. Can I use frozen white chocolate chips?
   Yes, but make sure they are at room temperature to mix evenly.
5. How do I prevent strawberries from sinking?
   Coating chopped strawberries with flour helps distribute them evenly in the dough.
6. Can I substitute butter with margarine?
   Yes, though butter provides richer flavor and better texture.
7. Can I reduce sugar?
   You can reduce sugar slightly, but it may affect sweetness and texture.
8. What if my cookies are too soft?
   Bake for an extra 2–3 minutes until edges are golden.
9. Can I make mini cookies?
   Yes, reduce baking time to 10–12 minutes for smaller cookies.
10. How should I store leftover cookies?
    Keep in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze for longer storage.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Cookies are a delightful combination of soft, chewy texture and fresh, fruity flavor. The cream cheese adds richness while the white chocolate chunks make each bite indulgent without being overly sweet. Perfect for summer gatherings, bake sales, or a simple homemade treat, these cookies are sure to impress family and friends. With easy-to-follow steps and versatile variations, this recipe allows you to customize the cookies to your taste, whether you prefer nutty, chocolaty, or extra fruity versions. Enjoy them fresh from the oven or share them as a thoughtful, homemade gift—either way, they’re guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

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