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 (approximately 7 oz or 200 g)

If you love the richness of cheesecake and the bright, sweet flavor of strawberries, you’re going to adore this Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe. These gems are a buttery graham cracker cookie base topped with creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting and crowned with luscious strawberry pie filling—a dessert trifecta that feels like a hug in cookie form.

The image shows six round cookies laid out on a white marbled surface, each cookie having three main layers. The first layer is a golden-brown cookie base with a slightly rough texture. On top of that is a smooth, creamy white frosting that is spread evenly in a circle. The third layer is a bright red strawberry topping with whole strawberries covered in a shiny, jelly-like glaze. Small pieces of crumbly light brown crushed topping are sprinkled over the strawberry layer. There are also three fresh strawberries on the surface near the cookies. 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

I can’t stop making these cookies—they hit every note perfectly. Whether I’m baking for a party or just craving something special, these strawberry cheesecake-inspired treats never disappoint.

Flavor Explosion: The combo of graham cracker, cream cheese frosting, and strawberry pie filling creates a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and buttery.
Easy to Make: The dough comes together quickly, and baking time is just 11 minutes—perfect for whipping up a batch on short notice.
Fun Presentation: The frosting spiral topped with glossy strawberry filling makes these cookies look as good as they taste.
Perfect for Sharing: Yields 15 sizable cookies, making them great for gatherings or sweet gifts.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When shopping for this recipe, freshness and quality really shine through. Use real cream cheese and fresh butter for a frosting that’s creamy and smooth, and pick a strawberry pie filling with whole fruit pieces for the best texture on top.

Flat lay of two brown eggs with clean shells, a small mound of golden graham cracker crumbs, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy white cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of salted butter softened to room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl of light brown packed brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of golden cornstarch powder, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red strawberry pie filling, a small pile of pale off-white all-purpose flour, a few whole graham crackers stacked neatly, all arranged with perfect symmetry 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 to the cookie, plus a little salt balances the sweet flavors beautifully.
Brown Sugar: Gives a deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps keep the cookies soft and chewy.
Egg: Binds the cookie dough together while adding tenderness to the final texture.
Vanilla Extract: Provides warmth and enhances the natural flavors in the cookie dough and frosting.
Graham Crackers: Ground into crumbs, they create that signature buttery, slightly spiced, crunchy base reminiscent of classic cheesecake crust.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cookie structure, giving it just the right balance between tender and sturdy.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and become tender without being cakey.
Salt: Essential for balancing sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors.
Cinnamon (optional): Adds a subtle warm spice note, elevating the cookie’s flavor complexity.
Cream Cheese: The star of the frosting that gives it that rich, tangy cheesecake essence.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting smoothly without any graininess.
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the frosting, giving it a perfect silky texture that pipes beautifully.
Strawberry Pie Filling: The finishing touch—juicy, sweet, and slightly tart strawberries add freshness and color.

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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

One of the best things about this Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to match your taste or occasion. Whether you want to add a little extra zing or swap ingredients for dietary needs, making it your own is half the fun!

Variation: For an even more decadent treat, try mixing in some finely chopped white chocolate or white chocolate chips into the cookie dough. I love how the creamy sweetness of the white chocolate perfectly complements the tangy cream cheese frosting and strawberry topping.
Dietary Adaptation: If you want to make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure your graham crackers are gluten-free too. The texture remains just as delightful!
Seasonal Twist: Swap out the strawberry pie filling for raspberry or cherry pie filling when strawberries are not in season. It keeps the vibrant fruit flavor while adding a fresh twist.

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

The image shows three round cookies placed on white parchment paper on a metal baking tray. Each cookie has three layers: the bottom layer is a cracked light brown cookie; on top of the cookie is a smooth, thick layer of white cream; and the top layer is glossy red strawberry topping with whole strawberries covered in shiny red jelly. A silver spoon with red jelly is held above the closest cookie by a woman's hand, ready to add more jelly. In the foreground, a red and white striped cloth is partially visible, and the background features a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Brown Sugar Until Dreamy

Start by combining 1 cup of room temperature salted butter and 1½ cups of brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat them on high speed for at least 3 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the mixture turns creamy and the sugar has started to dissolve, giving it a luscious texture that’s key for soft, chewy cookies.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla for That Fluffy, Flavored Base

Next, add in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to your buttery-sugar mix. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute until everything is fully incorporated and the batter becomes fluffy. This step adds moisture and flavor that bring the cookies to life.

Step 3: Pulverize the Graham Crackers

Place 12 graham crackers (or 2 cups of crumbs) into a blender or food processor and pulse until you get a fine powder. This graham cracker crumb is what makes these cookies so special — giving them that iconic, buttery base reminiscent of a classic cheesecake crust.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix

Add the graham cracker crumbs, 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon (if you like a hint of warmth) to the dough. Mix everything on low speed for about 1 minute until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Your dough should be thick and easy to scoop.

Step 5: Scoop and Shape the Cookies for Even Baking

Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 to 4 tablespoons), portion your dough onto a prepared baking sheet. Flatten each scoop slightly to approximately 2 inches in diameter. This ensures they bake evenly, with just the right edges starting to crack while keeping a soft center.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake your cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 11 minutes. When they’re done, you’ll notice slight cracks forming around the edges—that’s your sign to take them out. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before moving on to frosting; this keeps the texture spot on and prevents the frosting from melting.

Step 7: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a clean bowl, beat together 4 oz room temperature cream cheese and ½ cup salted butter on medium-high speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, roughly 1 minute. This whipped base will make your cookies irresistibly creamy.

Step 8: Sweeten and Stabilize the Frosting

Gradually add 2½ cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract to your cream cheese mixture. Beat well until smooth and free of any sugar pockets. The cornstarch is a secret weapon here—it helps keep the frosting thick and spreadable without being overly sweet.

Step 9: Pipe the Frosting on Each Cookie

Once the cookies are fully cool, transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with your preferred tip. Starting at the outer edge of each cookie, pipe the frosting in a tight spiral toward the center. This creates a pretty, defined swirl that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.

Step 10: Finish with Strawberry Pie Filling

Finally, spoon about half a can (around 7 oz or 200 g) of strawberry pie filling right into the center of each frosted cookie. For an extra bit of texture and visual flair, sprinkle a few graham cracker crumbs on top. Serve these beauties immediately for the best texture and flavor—enjoy every rich, fruity bite!

Top Tip

Mastering the Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe is all about attention to detail. These tips will help you achieve that perfect balance of textures and flavors every time.

Use a Kitchen Scale: I’ve found that weighing ingredients like butter and flour ensures consistent cookie texture and flavor every time, much better than eyeballing with cups.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mixing until just combined keeps cookies tender and soft. Overmixing can make them tough — trust me, I’ve learned that the hard way.
Cool Completely Before Frosting: Patience is key! Frosting warm cookies melts the cream cheese frosting, so I always wait the full 30 minutes cooling time for the best presentation.
Add Strawberry Pie Filling Last-Minute: To avoid soggy cookies, spoon on the strawberry pie filling right before serving—this preserves that delightful fresh flavor and perfect texture.

How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Two photos show the process of mixing soft ingredients in a clear glass bowl placed on a white marbled surface with a red and white striped cloth nearby. The first photo shows two blocks of pale yellow and white soft ingredients sitting side by side in the empty bowl. The second photo shows these ingredients whipped into a smooth, creamy light beige mixture with visible swirls and airiness. A pastel blue electric mixer with metal beaters is partially inside the bowl, blending the mixture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To add a little extra wow factor, sprinkle crushed graham cracker crumbs on top of the strawberry pie filling for some crunch. Fresh strawberry slices or a small mint leaf can also brighten up the look and complement the cheesecake flavors beautifully.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine as a dessert on their own, but pairing them with a light, refreshing side like a citrusy fruit salad or a cup of hot coffee or tea really rounds out the experience. For celebrations, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted (without the strawberry pie filling), store your cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving, let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to bring out the flavors and soften the frosting.

Freezing

You can freeze raw cookie dough, baked cookies, and frosting separately for up to 3 months. Just be sure to thaw them overnight in the fridge before assembling. Once frosted, it’s best to enjoy them fresh rather than freezing assembled cookies to maintain the ideal texture.

Reheating

If you prefer your cookies a little warm, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 3-4 minutes. Avoid heating after frosting and topping with strawberry filling — that could melt the frosting and make the topping runny.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of strawberry pie filling?

Absolutely! Fresh strawberries can be a delicious alternative. Just chop them finely and toss with a little sugar to macerate before adding on top. However, the pie filling gives that signature sweet, gelled texture similar to Crumbl style cookies.

How do I avoid soggy cookies?

The best way is to add the strawberry pie filling right before serving rather than frosting and topping all at once in advance. This keeps the cookie base crisp and the frosting fresh.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

For a dairy-free version, substitute with dairy-free butter and cream cheese alternatives, and check that your strawberry pie filling is dairy-free. Keep in mind, texture and taste may vary slightly.

What’s the best way to pipe the frosting?

Use a piping bag fitted with a round tip for a smooth spiral from the cookie edge toward the center. It creates that beautiful swirl perfect for holding the strawberry topping.

Final Thoughts

Making this Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe truly feels like a little labor of love, but the result is so worth it! Each buttery graham cracker cookie topped with luscious cream cheese frosting and bright, sweet strawberry pie filling is a bite of pure happiness. Whether you’re serving them at a party or just treating yourself, I hope these cookies bring a smile and a moment of delicious indulgence to your day.