Name: Sweet Potato Pie Cheesecake Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes (cooked and cooled); 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup sour cream

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Description:
Sweet Potato Pie Cheesecake Cookies are a delicious twist on two classic desserts—sweet potato pie and cheesecake. These soft, chewy cookies are packed with the rich, spiced flavor of sweet potato pie filling, combined with the creamy texture of cheesecake. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth treat that perfectly captures the essence of fall and holiday baking. These cookies are a must-try for anyone who loves the comforting flavors of sweet potato pie with a cheesecake flair.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet & Spicy Flavor: The warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger mimic the flavor of a traditional sweet potato pie.
Cheesecake Creaminess: The cream cheese in the dough gives the cookies a rich, velvety texture that makes them irresistible.
Perfect for Fall: These cookies bring together the best of autumn with sweet potato and pie-inspired flavors, making them perfect for the season.
Easy to Make: These cookies come together quickly and are easy to bake, making them a great addition to any holiday dessert table.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, providing structure to the cookies.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and a deep, comforting flavor.
Ground nutmeg: Pairs perfectly with the cinnamon, enhancing the spiced flavor.
Ground ginger: Complements the cinnamon and nutmeg, adding a hint of warmth.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the cookie dough.
Cream cheese: Provides the cheesecake-like creaminess and tenderness in the cookies.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps achieve a chewy texture.
Brown sugar: Adds a hint of molasses flavor and moisture to the cookies.
Egg: Helps bind the dough together and provides structure.
Cooked sweet potato: Provides the characteristic sweet potato flavor and softens the dough.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

For the Cheesecake Filling:

Cream cheese: The base of the cheesecake filling, giving it a smooth, creamy texture.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling, making it light and fluffy.
Vanilla extract: Adds depth to the cheesecake filling.
Heavy cream: Ensures the filling is rich and smooth.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potato Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Stir in the mashed sweet potato. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheesecake Filling

In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Slowly add the heavy cream and continue beating until the filling is creamy and thick.

Step 3: Shape and Fill the Cookies

Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, scoop out portions of the cookie dough and form them into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet. Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, create an indentation in the center of each cookie ball. Fill the indentation with a small amount of the cheesecake filling.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies are set. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once cooled, enjoy these decadent Sweet Potato Pie Cheesecake Cookies with a cup of coffee or as a delightful dessert for any occasion!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I use canned sweet potato puree instead of fresh sweet potatoes?
Yes, you can use canned sweet potato puree. Just make sure it’s plain and not flavored or sweetened.

Q2: Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. Scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring them to an airtight container. Bake them straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Q3: Can I make these cookies without cream cheese?
The cream cheese gives these cookies their signature cheesecake flavor and texture, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute it with mascarpone or ricotta cheese for a similar result.

Q4: How long can I store these cookies?
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be refrigerated for up to a week if you prefer them chilled.

Q5: Can I make these cookies smaller?
Yes, you can make smaller cookies by using less dough per cookie. Just reduce the baking time slightly to ensure they don’t overbake.

Q6: Can I use a different filling for these cookies?
You can substitute the cheesecake filling with a different filling, such as a chocolate ganache or a simple vanilla frosting.

Q7: How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. They will continue to firm up as they cool.

Q8: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake them ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for several days.

Q9: Can I add nuts to these cookies?
Yes, you can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for added texture and flavor.

Q10: Are these cookies suitable for making gluten-free?
To make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the other ingredients, like baking powder, are also gluten-free.

Sweet Potato Pie Cheesecake Cookies combine the flavors of sweet potato pie with the creamy richness of cheesecake, creating a truly unforgettable cookie experience. Enjoy them as a fall or holiday treat, or anytime you crave a sweet, spiced indulgence!