These Lemon Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies are the perfect balance of tangy lemon cookies with a creamy, strawberry-infused cheesecake filling. Made with freeze-dried strawberries, these cookies are soft, delicious, and have a beautiful pop of flavor. Ideal for any celebration, picnic, or simply a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to become a new favorite. Plus, they’re easy to make and perfect for making ahead!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2-4 drops lemon oil (or lemon extract)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon sea salt
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
⅓ cup granulated sugar for coating the cookies

For the Filling:

13 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
9 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
¼ cup strawberry powder (freeze-dried strawberries)
Optional: Extra strawberry powder for garnish

Directions

Make the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter and granulated sugar until creamy. Add the egg, lemon zest, lemon oil, vanilla extract, and salt, and mix until fully combined.
- Add the flour and baking powder, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into 28 small balls and coat each in granulated sugar. Place them on the baking sheets and press down gently to flatten into medallions about ¼ inch thick.
- Bake for 8-9 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Let the cookies cool completely.
Make the Filling:
- In a medium bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Add the cream cheese and whisk until smooth.
- Stir in the strawberry powder and mix until fully incorporated. Chill the filling in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before assembling the cookies.
Assemble the Cookies:
- Once the cookies have cooled and the filling is chilled, place a heaping tablespoon of filling onto the bottom of half of the cookies.
- Top each filled cookie with the remaining cookies and gently press together until the filling begins to spill out slightly.
- If desired, sprinkle extra strawberry powder on the sides for a decorative touch. Chill the sandwiches in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrients (Per Cookie)

Calories: 200 kcal
Carbohydrates: 23g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Sodium: 105mg
Potassium: 56mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 14g

A Perfect Balance of Tangy and Sweet

One of the standout features of Lemon Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies is the perfect balance between the tanginess of the lemon cookies and the sweetness of the creamy cheesecake filling. The cookies themselves are soft, slightly crisp at the edges, and flavored with lemon zest and a hint of lemon oil, giving them a bright, fresh flavor that immediately brings a smile to your face. The subtle lemon flavor pairs beautifully with the creamy filling, which is made from a mixture of butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and freeze-dried strawberry powder, adding a berry sweetness with every bite.

The cheesecake filling is smooth, luscious, and just the right amount of sweet. The use of freeze-dried strawberry powder ensures that the filling is infused with a vibrant strawberry flavor without any added moisture, maintaining the perfect texture. The marriage of tangy lemon cookies and rich strawberry cheesecake filling makes for a dessert that’s both refreshing and indulgent, striking the ideal balance of flavors and textures.

The Soft and Flavorful Lemon Cookies

The foundation of these sandwich cookies is the soft lemon cookie. Made with butter, sugar, lemon zest, and a touch of lemon oil or extract, the cookies have a light, airy texture with just the right amount of sweetness. The lemon zest provides a burst of citrusy fragrance, making these cookies truly aromatic and flavorful. The addition of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile, giving it a warm, comforting base that complements the lemon’s tang.

These cookies are soft but firm enough to hold the creamy cheesecake filling in place, creating the perfect sandwich structure. The dough is easy to work with, and after rolling it into small balls and coating them in sugar, the cookies bake up golden brown with a delicate, crisp edge. The end result is a cookie that is both soft on the inside and slightly crisp around the edges, creating a delightful contrast with the creamy filling.

Freeze-Dried Strawberries: The Secret to the Perfect Filling

The strawberry cheesecake filling is what makes these cookies stand out. Instead of using fresh strawberries, which can release too much moisture and make the filling too runny, freeze-dried strawberries are used to create a concentrated berry flavor that won’t affect the texture of the filling. The freeze-dried strawberry powder is stirred into the cream cheese mixture, infusing the filling with a natural strawberry sweetness that complements the tangy lemon cookies perfectly.

The use of freeze-dried strawberries is also what gives the filling its beautiful pink color, making these sandwich cookies visually appealing as well as delicious. The strawberry powder adds both color and flavor, creating a striking contrast with the pale yellow lemon cookies. This simple trick ensures that the filling has a smooth consistency while still packing a punch of natural berry flavor.

The Simple Yet Elegant Presentation

Lemon Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies are as visually stunning as they are delicious. The soft lemon cookies sandwich a vibrant, pink cheesecake filling, and when sprinkled with a bit of extra strawberry powder or powdered sugar, they look truly elegant. These cookies can be made to look even more impressive with minimal effort, making them ideal for any occasion that calls for a dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

If you want to elevate the cookies even further, you can garnish them with a few additional freeze-dried strawberries or a decorative touch of lemon zest. These small details help make these cookies look like they came from a professional bakery, adding an extra layer of sophistication without requiring much additional work.

A Versatile Treat for Any Occasion

Lemon Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies are incredibly versatile and can be served at a variety of occasions. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, picnic, baby shower, or holiday gathering, these cookies are a fun and festive option that will surely delight your guests. Their sweet, tart flavor profile makes them perfect for spring and summer celebrations, while the soft, creamy filling makes them a year-round treat.

These cookies are also great for meal prep or as a make-ahead dessert. Because they hold up well in the fridge, they can be made a day or two in advance, allowing the flavors to meld together and the filling to firm up slightly. This makes them a fantastic option for busy individuals who want to have a dessert ready without the stress of last-minute baking.

Easy to Make and Customize

One of the best aspects of Lemon Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies is how easy they are to make. Despite their impressive appearance and complex flavor, these cookies require minimal effort and use simple ingredients. The dough is quick to mix, and the cheesecake filling comes together with just a few ingredients. The cookies bake in a short amount of time, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights or weekend baking sessions.

Additionally, these cookies are highly customizable. If you prefer a different berry flavor, you can substitute the freeze-dried strawberries with freeze-dried raspberries or blueberries. You can also adjust the sweetness of the filling to suit your taste by varying the amount of powdered sugar, or even experiment with different extracts like almond or vanilla. These cookies are a blank canvas, allowing you to get creative with the flavor and presentation.

Serving Suggestions: Pairing with Beverages

While Lemon Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies are delightful on their own, they can also be paired with a variety of beverages to enhance the experience. A cup of hot tea—whether it’s Earl Grey, chamomile, or green tea—pairs beautifully with the light, tangy flavor of the lemon cookies. If you’re in the mood for something refreshing, a glass of iced lemonade or iced tea can provide a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, complementing the bright flavors of the cookies.

For a more indulgent treat, you can pair these cookies with a glass of dessert wine, such as Moscato or Prosecco, which will enhance the sweetness of the filling and add a touch of elegance to the dessert.

Health Benefits of Using Natural Ingredients

While Lemon Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies are a decadent treat, they also have the benefit of using natural, wholesome ingredients. The use of lemon zest in the cookie dough not only adds flavor but also provides a source of vitamin C, which is important for immune health and skin care. The freeze-dried strawberry powder provides antioxidants, contributing to overall health benefits while adding natural sweetness to the filling. Using cream cheese instead of heavy cream in the filling also provides a smoother, less fatty alternative, making the cookies slightly lighter without sacrificing flavor.

Conclusion

Lemon Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies are a perfect blend of tangy lemon and creamy, strawberry-flavored cheesecake. With a buttery, soft cookie and a rich, strawberry-infused filling, these cookies are sure to become a new favorite for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them at a party, enjoying them as a sweet treat, or preparing them ahead of time, these cookies are a fun and elegant dessert that’s both simple to make and impressive to serve. The balance of flavors, soft texture, and vibrant colors make these cookies a truly delightful indulgence that’s as delicious as it is beautiful.

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