Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies
Delightfully creamy and minty, Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies combine rich cheesecake flavors with the refreshing zing of peppermint, making them a festive holiday treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour Light and fluffy, serving as the canvas for our cookies.
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda This tiny powerhouse will add just the right amount of lift.
- 0.25 teaspoon salt A pinch to enhance flavors and balance sweetness.
- 0.5 cups butter, softened Luxuriously creamy, it will give our cookies that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1 cup brown sugar Deeply caramel-like, it adds moisture and a hint of richness.
- 1 piece egg Binding all the components and lending a touch of richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Sweet and aromatic, bringing warmth to the blend.
- 0.5 teaspoon peppermint extract The star of the show—cool and refreshing.
Cheesecake Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened Decadently rich, it forms the creamy center of our cookies.
- 0.25 cups powdered sugar Sweetening the cream cheese to perfection.
- 0.25 cups crushed peppermint candies For that festive crunch and a burst of minty freshness.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy and light.
- Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract, mixing well until fully combined.
- Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until a rich dough forms.
- In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until velvety smooth.
- Scoop tablespoons of cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, creating an indentation in the center.
- Fill each well with a teaspoon of the cheesecake mixture.
- Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies atop the cheesecake filling.
Baking
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are still soft.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened for easy mixing. Don't rush chilling or cooling periods; they help flavors meld and improve texture.