Name: Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 56 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup salted butter, room temperature (226 g); 1½ cups brown sugar (290 g); 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 12 graham crackers (2 cups of crumbs) (192 g); 2 cups all purpose flour (275 g); 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional); 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature; ½ cup salted butter (113 g); 2½ cups powdered sugar (225 g); 2 Tablespoons cornstarch (17 g); 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ can strawberry pie filling

If you love the rich creaminess of cheesecake and the fresh burst of strawberries, then this Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe is going to be your new favorite treat. These cookies combine a crumbly graham cracker base with luscious cream cheese frosting and a sweet strawberry topping that'll make your kitchen smell incredible.

The image shows six round cookies on a white marbled surface, each cookie topped with three main layers: a base cookie layer that is light brown and textured, a middle layer of smooth off-white cream spread evenly in a circular shape, and a top layer consisting of bright red strawberry sauce with whole strawberries in the center, lightly sprinkled with small crumbles of light brown cookie crumbs. Two whole strawberries, one whole and one sliced in half, are placed next to the cookies on the surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I can't get enough of these cookies—they strike the perfect balance between sweet and tangy with a texture that’s both soft and crunchy. Once you try them, you’ll want to make them again and again!

Distinctive Flavor: The graham cracker cookie base gives these cookies a nostalgic, slightly spiced crunch you don’t find in your average cookie.
Creamy Frosting: The luscious cream cheese frosting is fluffy and just tangy enough to complement the sweet strawberry topping perfectly.
Restaurant-Quality at Home: This recipe delivers that iconic Crumbl-style cookie experience right from your own kitchen.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you're baking for a party, a cozy night in, or gift-giving, these cookies impress everyone.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you dive in, grab the freshest ingredients you can find—especially the cream cheese and strawberries for that standout flavor. Also, weighing ingredients instead of relying on cups makes a huge difference in baking consistency.

Flat lay of a small stick of salted butter with a slightly softened texture, a neat pile of light brown sugar crystals, one large whole brown egg with a smooth clean shell, a few fresh vanilla beans arranged simply, fine golden graham cracker crumbs in a small white ceramic bowl, a small mound of fine all-purpose flour, a pinch of coarse salt crystals beside a small heap of pale cinnamon powder, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth cream cheese, another small white ceramic bowl with soft salted butter, a small white bowl heaped with powdered sugar, a small white bowl containing fine white cornstarch, and a small white bowl holding bright glossy strawberry pie filling with whole fresh strawberry pieces, all ingredients arranged in perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salted butter: Adds richness and moisture while balancing flavors with a touch of saltiness.
Brown sugar: Provides deep, caramel notes and helps keep the cookies soft.
Large egg: Binds everything together and adds structure.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its sweet, aromatic notes.
Graham crackers: Ground into crumbs, they create that classic graham cracker crust flavor and add great texture.
All-purpose flour: The base dry ingredient giving the cookies their perfect crumb.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread just right.
Salt: Heightens flavors and balances sweetness.
Cinnamon (optional): Adds a subtle warmth that complements the graham crackers beautifully.
Cream cheese: The star of the frosting, lending creaminess and a slight tang.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting while keeping it smooth and silky.
Cornstarch: Stabilizes the frosting for that perfect pipeable consistency.
Strawberry pie filling: Adds freshness and that irresistible sweet strawberry burst topping.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make your own with small tweaks to suit your taste or occasion. Whether you're craving a twist on the classic or catering to dietary needs, there’s so much room to play!

Gluten-Free Variation: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and use gluten-free graham crackers. I’ve tried this for a friend’s gathering, and the cookies came out just as delicious—no one guessed they were gluten-free!
Seasonal Twist: Instead of strawberry pie filling, try blueberry or cherry pie filling for a seasonal berry burst. Last summer, I made a blueberry cheesecake cookie version that was an instant hit on warm evenings.
Less Sweet Option: Reduce the brown sugar by ¼ cup and cut the powdered sugar in the frosting to 2 cups for a slightly less sweet bite. Perfect if you prefer a milder sweetness to balance the rich cream cheese.
Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute the butter and cream cheese for dairy-free versions. I've found that this swap works wonderfully when dairy sensitivities pop up, and you still get that creamy frosting texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

A close-up of three cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has three layers: the bottom layer is a cracked light brown cookie with a soft texture, the middle layer is a smooth and fluffy creamy white frosting spread evenly, and the top layer is a bright red strawberry covered in shiny red strawberry jelly, which a spoon is gently placing on one of the cookies. A striped beige and red cloth is partially visible in the foreground. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Brown Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by beating 1 cup of room temperature salted butter with 1½ cups brown sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes. This step is crucial because you want to dissolve the sugar crystals and create a light, fluffy base for your cookie dough. The mixture should look noticeably lighter in color and a bit puffy when you're done.

Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla Extract

Next, crack in one large egg and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed for about 1 minute until everything is fully combined and the batter feels airy. This helps incorporate some moisture and flavor, setting the stage for delicious cookies.

Step 3: Prepare the Graham Cracker Crumbs

Use a blender or food processor to pulse 12 graham crackers until they become a fine crumb—about 2 cups worth. This adds a lovely texture and that classic graham cracker flavor that defines these cookies. Make sure they’re finely ground so they blend perfectly into the dough.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients into the Dough

Combine your graham cracker crumbs with 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, and if you like, ½ teaspoon cinnamon. With your mixer on low speed, mix these dry ingredients into your wet batter for about 1 minute, just until everything comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender.

Step 5: Scoop and Shape the Cookies

Use a large cookie scoop (3-4 tablespoons) to portion out the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Gently press each mound down to approximately a 2-inch diameter. This flattens the cookies just enough so they bake evenly and get those delightful cracks around the edges.

Step 6: Bake at 350°F for 11 Minutes

Pop them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 11 minutes, or until the cookie edges start to crack and look set. Remember, they might feel a bit soft in the middle but will firm up as they cool. Once done, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely—this cooling time of about 30 minutes is key before frosting.

Step 7: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a clean bowl, beat 4 oz of room temperature cream cheese and ½ cup salted butter until fluffy—about 1 minute on medium-high speed. Gradually add 2½ cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract, mixing well until your frosting is smooth and free of sugar lumps. This creamy frosting is what elevates these cookies to that luxurious Crumbl style.

Step 8: Pipe Frosting and Add the Strawberry Topping

Transfer the frosting to a piping bag and create a spiral starting from the edge of each fully cooled cookie working inward. Top each one with a generous spoonful of strawberry pie filling from half a can, adding a fresh, fruity burst to balance the rich cream cheese. For a nice touch, sprinkle a few extra graham cracker crumbs on top. Then, dive in and enjoy!

Top Tip

These tips will help you nail the perfect Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies every time—making your baking experience smoother and your treats even more delicious!

Weighing Ingredients: I always weigh my ingredients instead of relying on cups. It makes such a difference for consistent cookie texture and flavor.
Timing the Strawberry Topping: I learned to add the strawberry pie filling just before serving. This keeps the cookies from getting soggy overnight and maintains that fresh burst of fruitiness.
Perfect Cookie Scoop: Using a large 3-4 tablespoon scoop helps create uniform cookies that bake evenly and look bakery-perfect.
Cooling Completely: Patience is key! Letting cookies cool fully before frosting prevents the frosting from melting and sliding off.

How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

The image shows two side-by-side photos on a white marbled surface with a red and white striped cloth in the background. The left photo displays a clear bowl holding two blocks of soft, light cream-colored ingredients, placed side by side. The right photo shows the same clear bowl with a fluffy, creamy white mixture with visible swirls and texture, and a light blue electric mixer with beaters partially inside the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To make these Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies even more visually stunning, try sprinkling extra graham cracker crumbs for a lovely crunch and rustic look. Fresh strawberry slices or a light dusting of powdered sugar also add a charming touch. For special occasions, a small mint leaf on top can provide a pop of green and a hint of freshness.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine on their own but pair beautifully with a few complementary sides. Consider serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence. A cup of freshly brewed coffee or a light, fruity herbal tea rounds out the experience perfectly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to keep them in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Before serving, bring the cookies to room temperature—this really brings out the creamy frosting's flavor and soft texture.

Freezing

If you want to plan ahead, you can freeze the raw cookie dough, baked cookies, and cream cheese frosting separately for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the components slowly in the fridge, then frost and top with strawberry pie filling just before serving for best results.

Reheating

Since these cookies taste best at room temperature, there's no need to reheat. If you prefer a slightly warmed cookie, gently heat for about 10 seconds in the microwave, but avoid warming the frosted cookie too much or your frosting may soften excessively.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of strawberry pie filling?

Absolutely! Fresh strawberries can be a great alternative. Just chop them finely and toss with a bit of sugar or glaze to mimic the pie filling’s sweetness and texture.

How do I prevent the frosting from melting on warm cookies?

Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before piping the cream cheese frosting. Warm cookies will cause the frosting to soften and slide off.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, but be sure the graham crackers are also gluten-free. The texture might vary slightly but should still be delicious.

What’s the best way to pipe the frosting?

Use a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Start at the outer edge of the cookie and pipe in a spiral inward to the center for an even, bakery-style look.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed this step-by-step guide to making these irresistible Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies. They’re truly a perfect blend of crunchy, creamy, and fruity that will delight anyone lucky enough to try them. Whether for a special occasion or just a sweet treat, these cookies bring a little extra joy to every bite. Happy baking and even happier tasting!