baci's baking | Strawberry Cheescake Cookies

With Spring and Summer approaching and the weather getting beautiful, I look for new and improved ways to incorporate fruits (they are 100x better when they are in season). I came across a picture of these Strawberry Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookie and it looks DELICIOUS!!

Image from Tasty Kitchen

I found this recipe from Tasty Kitchen!

I look forward to making these soon. They make homemade cookies, but you can buy cookies from any local store as well.

Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
Original Recipe from Tasty Kitchen
(Printer-friendly Link)

Ingredients

1 cup Shortening

¾ cups Sugar

¾ cups Brown Sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla

2 whole Eggs

2-½ cups Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1 teaspoon Salt

2 cups Chocolate Chips

1 box Cheesecake-flavored Pudding Mix, 3 Ounce Box

1 cup Milk

1-½ cup Whipped Topping (like Cool Whip)

1 pound Strawberries, Sliced Thick

Preparation Instructions

1) Heat oven to 350°F.

2) In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugars until creamy. Add the vanilla and eggs, one at a time, and mix well after each addition.

3) In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda and salt) then add this into the shortening mixture and mix well. Add the chocolate chips and mix again.

4) Place the dough on a baking sheet using a cookie scoop to ensure the cookies are all the same size. Bake for 9-11 minutes. The cookies will look undercooked. Remove from the pan immediately and allow to cool completely.

For the cheesecake frosting:

1) Mix to combine the pudding mix and milk until partially set. Fold in the whipped topping. Use more or less whipped topping depending on the flavor you want.

To assemble:

1) Spread a layer of cheesecake frosting on the bottom of half of the cookies. Add thick slices of strawberries then add another cookie on top of each and press gently to sandwich them together. Store in the refrigerator. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving.

ENJOY!!