Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

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.

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

1. 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.
2. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two sheets with parchment.
3. 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).
4. Portion: Scoop 1½ Tbsp dough, coat hands/palm with powdered sugar, flatten to a disc.
5. Fill & seal: Place a frozen cheesecake mound in the center, wrap dough around, pinch seams, roll in powdered sugar.
6. Bake: Place 2 in. apart; bake 10–12 min until set with light cracks (centers will be soft).
7. Set & finish: Cool on sheet 5 min, then rack. Drizzle glaze or dip half in melted white chocolate if you like.
8. 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