Soft Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ½ teaspoon baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon salt
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - Pink food coloring, optional

→ Creamy Cheesecake Filling

09 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 - ¼ cup powdered sugar
11 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - ½ cup strawberry jam

→ Decorative Topping

13 - Pink glaze (powdered sugar and a few drops of milk)
14 - Sparkling sugar for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. If using, add a few drops of pink food coloring.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft.
05 - In a separate bowl, blend the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Keep the strawberry jam separate for easy filling.
06 - Scoop out about a tablespoon of cookie dough, flattening it slightly. Place a small spoonful of cream cheese mixture and a dab of strawberry jam in the center. Carefully wrap the dough around the filling, sealing the edges.
07 - Place the filled cookies on the baking sheet, spacing them an inch apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Let cool before decorating.
08 - Drizzle the cooled cookies with pink glaze and sprinkle with sparkling sugar for a delightful finish.