Cherry-Centered Cheesecake Cookies

My grandmother has been making these cheesecake cookies for years. They are always a huge hit! Because of the cream cheese, these cookies won't keep as long as others. Be sure to refrigerate any left over.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 164 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 3 (20 ounce) cans cherry pie filling, drained

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl.

Step 2

Combine cream cheese, butter, and sugar in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix until incorporated. Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture, and mix until just combined. Refrigerate dough until firm, at least 30 minutes.

Step 3

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 4

Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Pour graham cracker crumbs into a shallow bowl; roll dough balls in the crumbs. Place balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Make an indentation in the center of each ball with the back of a tablespoon measure. Place 3 cherries in each indentation.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven, switching and rotating the sheets halfway through, until edges are golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.