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Soft Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Cookies

Soft bakery-style cookies filled with creamy cheesecake and swirled with warm cinnamon sugar, finished with a light vanilla glaze that tastes just like a cinnamon roll.

Ingredients
  

For the Cheesecake Filling

  • 6 oz cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl

  • cup brown sugar
  • tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

For the Cookie Dough

  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • teaspoons vanilla extract

Optional Vanilla Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 –3 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. The mixture should feel light and spreadable, not stiff.
  • Scoop teaspoon-sized portions onto a parchment-lined plate and freeze for 45–60 minutes so the filling stays creamy and doesn’t leak while baking.
  • In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in the melted butter until a thick, spreadable paste forms. It should hold its shape when stirred. Set aside.
  • Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl to ensure even distribution and tender cookies.
  • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both sugars for 2–3 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, mixing until smooth and glossy.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix just until a dough forms. If the dough feels sticky, chill it for 10 minutes instead of adding extra flour.
  • Gently fold the cinnamon mixture into the dough using a spatula. Stop early so visible cinnamon ribbons remain rather than fully blending it in.
  • Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Place a frozen cheesecake portion in the center, wrap the dough around it completely, and roll into a smooth ball with no filling exposed.
  • Refrigerate the assembled cookie balls for at least 1 hour. Chilled dough spreads less and bakes up thicker.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Place cookies about 2½ inches apart and bake for 12–15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
  • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and drizzle lightly over fully cooled cookies.