3-Ingredient shortcut dough • Cheesecake-filled • 30 minutes to craveable

Crinkly strawberry cookies wrapped around a cool-vanilla cheesecake center—soft, tangy, and dusted pretty for date night or bake sales.

Broken strawberry cheesecake cookie on parchment, creamy center; Strawberry Cool Whip Cookies; Baked Desserts Easy.

Why You’ll Love It

Cake-mix + Cool Whip hack → true Baked Desserts Easy and Easy Desserts To Bake.
Cheesecake center → makes them Special Cookies Recipes without extra fuss.
Big strawberry flavor → add crushed freeze-dried berries for real Baking Strawberries.
Party or date-night ready → heart-shape option screams Bake For Boyfriend.
Flexible sizes → minis for platters (Bake Sweets), standard for gifts.

Ingredients (notes only)

Cookie Dough (shortcut)

Strawberry cake mix (15.25 oz) – structure + color
Frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed – tender chew
Egg – binds; dough will be sticky (normal)
Freeze-dried strawberries, crushed – boosts flavor without moisture (optional)
Powdered sugar – for rolling

Cheesecake Filling

Cream cheese, room temp – ultra smooth
Sugar + vanilla + pinch salt – classic cheesecake taste

Optional Finish

Lemon-vanilla glaze or white-chocolate drizzle; pink sprinkles for Things To Bake With Strawberries trays.

Step-by-Step

Filling first: Beat 6 oz cream cheese + 3 Tbsp sugar + 1 tsp vanilla + pinch salt. Scoop 18 mini mounds (½ Tbsp each) onto parchment; freeze 15 minutes.
Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two sheets with parchment.
Dough: In a bowl, mix 1 box strawberry cake mix + 1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip + 1 egg until thick and sticky. Fold in 1 cup crushed freeze-dried strawberries (optional).
Portion: Scoop 1½ Tbsp dough, coat hands/palm with powdered sugar, flatten to a disc.
Fill & seal: Place a frozen cheesecake mound in the center, wrap dough around, pinch seams, roll in powdered sugar.
Bake: Place 2 in. apart; bake 10–12 min until set with light cracks (centers will be soft).
Set & finish: Cool on sheet 5 min, then rack. Drizzle glaze or dip half in melted white chocolate if you like.
Heart-shape option: Gently pinch the top into a V before baking—cute Bake For Boyfriend touch.

Pro Tips

Dough is sticky—powdered sugar = your friend.
Freeze filling so it stays creamy after baking.
Use freeze-dried (not fresh) strawberries in dough to avoid sogginess.
Bake one tester; adjust time ±1 min for your oven.
For brighter color, add ¼ tsp strawberry powder or a dot of gel color.

Variations (mapped to interests)

Mini Strawberry Cheesecake Bites (Bake Sweets, Special Cookies Recipes): 2-tsp scoops, 8–9 min.
Cool Whip Only (no fill) (Strawberry Cool Whip Cookies): Skip filling; roll, bake 9–10 min; glaze.
Birthday Party Tray (Easy Desserts For Birthday Party): Sprinkle mix and confetti glaze.
State-Fair Style (Stuff To Make With Strawberries): Sugar coat + white-chocolate drizzle.
Sandwich Cookies (Things To Bake With Strawberries): No fill; bake, then sandwich with cheesecake frosting.

How to Serve

Pile on a cake stand or pink-lined box; add a thin zigzag of glaze and a few strawberry crumbs for pop.

Make Ahead & Storage

Chill dough up to 24 hrs; let soften 10 min to scoop.
Room temp: airtight 2 days.
Fridge: 4–5 days.
Freeze baked or unbaked (filled) balls up to 2 months; bake from frozen, +1–2 min.

FAQs

Can I use homemade whipped cream? Not ideal—unstable. Use frozen whipped topping for structure.
No freeze-dried strawberries? Skip or add 1–2 Tbsp strawberry gelatin powder for color/flavor.
Why did my cookies spread? Warm dough or hot sheets. Keep dough cool; rotate sheets.
Gluten-free? Use a GF strawberry cake mix; dough may need 1–2 Tbsp cornstarch.

Simple Nutrition (estimate, per of 18)

~170 kcal • Fat 7g • Carbs 25g • Protein 2g • Sugar 16g • Sodium 170mg

Sarah

Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

Soft strawberry cake-mix cookies stuffed with a creamy cheesecake center. Quick to mix, pretty to serve, and perfect for parties or date night.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 12

Total Time 35

Servings: 18 cookies

Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 170

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, room temp
3 Tbsp (38 g) granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch fine salt
1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) strawberry cake mix
1 tub (8 oz / 226 g) frozen whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip)
1 large egg
1 cup (25–30 g) freeze-dried strawberries, lightly crushed (optional)
½–¾ cup powdered sugar, for rolling
½ cup powdered sugar (for glaze, optional)
1–2 Tbsp milk (for glaze, optional)
½ tsp vanilla or lemon juice (for glaze, optional)

Equipment

mixing bowls
electric mixer
cookie scoop (#40)
Parchment paper
baking sheets
wire cooling rack

Method

Line a tray; beat filling ingredients smooth. Scoop 18 small mounds; freeze 15 minutes.
Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
Stir cake mix, whipped topping, and egg until thick; fold in crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
Scoop 1½ Tbsp dough, dust hands, flatten, add a frozen filling mound, seal, and roll in powdered sugar.
Arrange 2 inches apart; bake 10–12 min until set with hairline cracks.
Cool 5 minutes; transfer to rack. Drizzle glaze if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 40mgSugar: 16gVitamin A: 150IUCalcium: 30mgIron: 0.7mg

Notes

Use GF cake mix for gluten-free; plant-based cream cheese & topping for dairy-free version (texture softer).
No freeze-dried berries? Add 1 Tbsp strawberry gelatin powder or skip.
Equipment: cookie scoop (#40), parchment, cooling rack.

Alternate Methods:
Air Fryer small-batch: 300–320°F (150–160°C) 6–8 min on parchment, leaving space.
Scratch dough option: Replace cake mix + topping with ½ cup butter, ¾ cup sugar, 1 egg, 1½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt + 2 Tbsp strawberry powder.

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