Description
Soft, tangy, bakery-style cookies infused with fresh lemon, sweet coconut, and a creamy cheesecake swirl. These cookies are thick, chewy, lightly tropical, and bursting with citrus flavor — a bright and irresistible treat perfect for spring, summer, or any cookie tray.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients (makes 18–22 cookies):
For the Cookie Dough:
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
For the Cheesecake Filling:
6 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Optional Add-Ins:
Extra shredded coconut for rolling
White chocolate chips (¼–½ cup)
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth.
Scoop teaspoon-sized portions onto a parchment-lined plate and freeze for 15–20 minutes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
Add egg, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice; mix until smooth.
Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Fold in shredded coconut.
Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough.
Flatten slightly, place a frozen cheesecake piece in the center, and wrap dough around it completely.
Roll into a smooth ball.
Optional: Roll in extra coconut.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Place cookie dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment, spaced 2 inches apart.
Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and centers look soft.
Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Notes
- Flavor Boost: Add an extra tablespoon of lemon zest for stronger citrus.
- Coconut Variation: Toast coconut lightly for deeper flavor.
- Avoid Leaking: Make sure the cheesecake filling stays fully sealed inside the dough.
- Chill Time: For thicker cookies, chill stuffed dough 15–20 minutes before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Cookies
- Method: Baked / Filled Cookies
- Cuisine: American