Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

This thumbprint cookies recipe make soft, buttery, and filled with a creamy cheesecake center and sweet strawberry jam.

Valentine’s Day always sneaks up on me, and suddenly I’m thinking about treats for classroom parties or just something sweet to make at home.

These strawberry cheesecake thumbprint cookies are perfect Valentine’s Day cookies because they’re cute, pink, and feel a little special without being a whole thing.

They’re easy enough to throw together during nap time or after school, and they travel well too.

I’ve sent these to school parties before and they always come home with an empty container.

They’re also great if you just want a small batch of sweet treats for Valentine’s Day without going overboard!

Ingredients for Strawberry Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

• Cream cheese gives the cookies that soft, cheesecake texture that makes them hard to stop eating.
• Butter adds richness and helps the cookies bake up tender instead of dry.
• Granulated sugar sweetens everything just enough without overpowering the cheesecake flavor.
• Egg helps bind the dough so the cookies hold their shape.
• Vanilla extract adds that familiar bakery flavor that makes these taste extra yummy.
• All purpose flour gives the cookies structure while keeping them soft.
• Baking powder helps the cookies puff slightly so they’re not dense.
• Salt balances the sweetness so the flavor doesn’t fall flat.
• Strawberry jam sits right in the center and adds that sweet, fruity bite everyone loves.

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

1. Preheat and Prep

Turn the oven on and line a baking sheet because it’s always easier to start there

I’ve skipped this step before and paid for it later.

Parchment paper saves a lot of cleanup.

2. Cream the Cream Cheese and Butter

Mix the cream cheese and butter together until it’s smooth with no lumps.

This is what gives the cookies that cheesecake texture, so it’s worth taking a minute.

Fully softened cream cheese makes this way easier.

3. Add the Sugar

Pour in the sugar and mix until everything looks fluffy and well combined.

It should look lighter and smell really good!

Scraping the bowl helps everything mix evenly.

4. Mix in the Egg and Vanilla

Add the egg and vanilla and mix until the dough smooths back out.

It might look a little loose at first but it comes together fast.

Cracking the egg in a small bowl helps avoid shell surprises.

5. Add the Dry Ingredients

Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt just until a soft dough forms.

Overmixing can make the cookies tough so stop as soon as the flour disappears.

Less mixing is better here.

6. Roll the Dough

Roll the dough into small balls and place them on the baking sheet with some space between each one.

They don’t spread a ton but still need room.

Slightly damp hands keep the dough from sticking.

7. Make the Thumbprints

Press your thumb or the back of a spoon into the center of each dough ball.

You want a good indent without pushing all the way through.

If the dough cracks, just pinch it back together.

8. Add the Strawberry Jam

Spoon a little strawberry jam into each indent without overfilling.

It spreads a bit while baking anyway.

A teaspoon keeps things neat without fussing.

9. Bake the Cookies

Bake until the cookies are set and just lightly golden on the bottom.

They’ll still look soft on top when they’re done.

Waiting for browning usually means they’re overbaked.

10. Cool Before Moving

Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before moving them.

They’re delicate right out of the oven but firm up as they sit.

Giving them a minute saves broken cookies.

A Sweet Little Treat Everyone Loves

Sometimes you just want a dessert that feels a little special without turning the kitchen upside down.

These are one of those cookies that look impressive but don’t actually take a ton of effort, which I really appreciate on busy days.

They’re sweet, creamy, and honestly hard to stop eating once you start.

I love making these as Valentine’s Day cookies because they feel festive without needing food coloring or extra steps.

If you’re bringing something to share or just want a treat at home, these always disappear fast.