Cheesecake cookies are small baked cakes made with ingredients such as cream cheese, sugar, flour, melted butter, and eggs. Vanilla extract, lemon peel, graham crackers, and chopped nuts can also be used in the cookies. Although the cookies are similar in taste to cheesecake, they are usually crispier and flatter than a traditional cheesecake. Cheesecake cookies can be eaten without utensils, making them more portable and convenient than cake, as well. The shape of this type of cookie can vary, but is usually round or square.
The ingredients used in cheesecake cookies include many of the same ingredients included in a traditional cheesecake recipe. Softened butter, sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and flour are used as the base of the cookie batter, while ingredients like crushed graham crackers, lemon peel, and chopped nuts can also be added for more texture and flavor. The cook can also create a crust for the cookies, if preferred, with components such as brown sugar, flour, butter, and chopped pecans. If a crust is made, the filling for the cookies will usually consist of cream cheese, sugar, and eggs.
After all of the ingredients needed are combined and made into a batter, the cookies are generally shaped into round balls or spread out over a cookie sheet to be cut into squares later. The cookies are usually baked for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the amount. If the cookies are made with a crust and a filling, the crust ingredients are baked before the filling is added. After the crust has baked and cooled, the filling is poured and evenly spread over the crust and the cookies are baked again.
The cookies are normally eaten by themselves, but they can also be garnished with mint leaves, lemon zest, berries, or cherry pie filling. Chocolate or melted caramel can also be drizzled on top of the cookies before serving. In addition, if the cook prefers a chocolate cheesecake flavor, chocolate chips can also be mixed in with the batter before baking.
Cheesecake cookies are a good choice for those who enjoy the taste of cheesecake, but prefer a dessert that is easier to eat and more portable. In addition, cheesecake cookies are a unique type of cookie that is not as common as traditional cheesecake or other desserts. They are also individually-sized and excellent for serving to guests or children during parties and holiday celebrations.
