These cookies are blowing up on TikTok, and I have to admit, I was a bit surprised at first! Most viral recipes there are quick and easy, but this one takes a bit more effort. However, let me tell you, the end result? A solid 20 out of 10! You’ve got to try them.
Viral Tiktok Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 6 oz 170 g cream cheese, cold
- 3 tablespoons 38 g granulated white sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
For the Spiced Sugar:
- ¼ cup 50 g granulated white sugar
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
For the Pumpkin Cookies:
- ½ cup 122 g canned pumpkin puree (Libby’s)
- 1 ¾ cups 219 g all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup 168 g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup 220 g light brown sugar
- 2 egg yolks at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- Line a small cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until fluffy and sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes.
- Scoop the cheesecake filling into 16 portions onto the baking sheet. Freeze until firm.
For the Spiced Sugar:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.
For the Pumpkin Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Pat dry the canned pumpkin with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla, mix until pale and fluffy.
- Mix in the dried pumpkin, then gradually add the dry ingredients until combined.
- Scoop the dough into 16 portions, then roll into balls. Flatten each ball and place a frozen cheesecake ball in the center. Enclose the cheesecake ball with the cookie dough and roll into a ball again. Roll the cookie dough balls in pumpkin spice sugar.
- Transfer the cookie dough balls to the prepared baking sheets and bake in batches for 12-13 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!