Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Cookies (Printable)
Soft, chewy cinnamon roll-inspired cookies with creamy cheesecake centers and a cinnamon sugar swirl.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cookie Dough
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/4 cup brown sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Cheesecake Filling
09 - 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
11 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
13 - 1/4 cup brown sugar
14 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
→ Optional Glaze
15 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
16 - 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
17 - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract; beat until combined.
04 - Gradually mix dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, blending just until incorporated.
05 - In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
06 - In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon.
07 - Scoop 1 tablespoon of cookie dough and flatten into a disk. Place 1 teaspoon cheesecake filling in the center. Top with another tablespoon of dough and seal the edges. Roll gently to form a ball.
08 - Place dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Use your thumb to make a small indent in the center of each ball.
09 - Drizzle about 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon sugar swirl into each indent.
10 - Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
11 - For optional glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The gooey cheesecake center is the kind of secret you’ll want to keep—until someone takes a bite.
- The scent of cinnamon spiraling through your home just might lure people into the kitchen before the timer rings.
02 -
- Chilling your shaped dough balls before baking keeps the cookies thick and chewy, preventing flat, spread-out disks.
- Letting the cream cheese soften fully means no lumpy bits hiding in your filling—a lesson learned the hard way on a rushed day.
03 -
- A sprinkle of extra cinnamon sugar on top makes the cookies sparkle and taste bakery-fancy.
- Rolling the cookies in your hands seals the edges tight so the filling stays lush inside.