Hello, my fellow baking enthusiasts! Fall is upon us, and that means it's time to indulge in all things pumpkin. Today, I'm sharing a recipe that will make your taste buds dance with delight: Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies. They're like a warm, cozy hug for your soul.
Ingredients You'll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves
- ½ cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- ½ cup of packed light-brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat. This will make your clean-up a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. It's like a warm spice hug in a bowl.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
- In another bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light-brown sugar until it's creamy and dreamy. It's all about that buttery goodness.
Step 4: Add the Egg and Vanilla
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until it's all perfectly combined. You want it to be as smooth as a fall breeze.
Step 5: Pumpkin Magic
- Now, fold in that glorious canned pumpkin puree. Your cookie dough is about to get all pumpkin-licious!
Step 6: Create the Cheesecake Filling
- In a separate bowl, whip up the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until it's smooth and heavenly.
Step 7: Assemble Your Cookies
- Drop spoonfuls of the pumpkin cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Make a little well in the center of each cookie with your thumb or the back of a spoon. This is where the cheesecake magic will happen!
Step 8: Fill with Cheesecake Love
- Spoon a dollop of the cheesecake mixture into the well of each cookie. It's like a sweet surprise waiting to burst out!
Step 9: Bake and Enjoy the Aroma
- Pop those trays of cookie goodness into the preheated oven for about 12-14 minutes or until the cookies are set and slightly golden around the edges. Your kitchen will smell like a pumpkin paradise.
Step 10: Cool and Savor
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once they've cooled a bit, it's time to dive in.
Step 11: Share the Love
- Share these Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies with friends, and family, or just enjoy them with a warm cup of tea. They're the perfect fall treat that'll have everyone asking for the recipe!
There you have it, friends - a recipe that's sure to make your fall a little sweeter. These Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies are the perfect combination of pumpkin spice and creamy cheesecake goodness. So, roll up your sleeves, put on your coziest sweater, and let's bake some fall magic!
Happy baking, and enjoy every delicious bite! 🍂🎃🍪