Week 15: New York Cheesecake Cookies

I randomly came across this recipe in a binder of dessert recipes that my mom had, and it seemed different enough to try. Plus, the idea of a cake-themed cookie has intrigued me as of late.

This is pretty easy to make, although it is one of those types of cookies you need to plan out ahead of time so you can soften the cream cheese…or you can microwave it on a plate outside of its wrapper?

Because I used aluminum baking sheets, baking them took a little longer, so you might need to increase the time to 17-18 minutes.

Also, these taste a lot better refrigerated!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups finely crushed graham crackers (1 sleeve)
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg, separated
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, flour and baking powder.
3. In a separate medium bowl, beat together the butter with the brown sugar using an electric hand mixer. Add the egg white and beat until well combined.
4. Add to the graham cracker crumbs and blend until just combined.
5. In a separate medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar, egg yolk, lemon zest and vanilla until well combined. Set aside.
6. Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop out the cookie dough and place on a nonstick or parchment lined baking sheet. (If you do not have an ice scoop, then measure out the dough into scoops of about 2 tablespoons.) Flatten slightly, pressing your thumb in the center of the ball to create a small bowl shape. Repeat with the remaining dough. Spoon the cream cheese into the indents in the cookies.
7. Bake until the filling is barely set and the cookies are lightly golden, 12 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets before removing them and cooling completely on a wire rack.

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