Smooth and sweet with a hint of creamy tang, it’s no wonder that cheesecake tops many favorite dessert lists. From the purist who loves it in its simplest form to the fan who appreciates every flavor, there’s a cheesecake for almost everyone. For the team at Moore Appliance, Jeanette’s strawberry cheesecake cookie cups are our cheesecake choice, combining classic berry flavor with a sweet cookie crust.

 An (Almost) Guilt-Free Treat: Strawberry Cheesecake Cookie Cups

A slice of cheesecake can be a rich and filling indulgence. But Jeanette’s strawberry cheesecake cookie cups are miniature-sized, taking some of the guilt out of this dessert’s pleasure. We’ll review the simple steps that go into preparing these cheesecake cookies. But first, we’ll share cheesecake’s ancient origin story as well as some fun facts about the dessert we know and love.

Origin of Cheesecake

Did you know that cheesecake has been around for thousands of years? The first cheesecake ingredients of baked honey, wheat, and cheese date back to ancient Greece in 2000 B.C. Additional evidence even suggests that cheesecake may have been served to athletes at the first Olympic games. Once the Romans conquered Greece, the recipe spread throughout Europe, with each culture contributing different flavors and cheeses.

By the turn of the 20^th century, cheesecake had crossed the Atlantic. When it did it became the dessert we know today with the American invention of cream cheese. As in Europe, regions of the United States soon developed their own cheesecake preferences. While the beloved New York style is heavy and served alone, Philadelphia cheesecakes are lighter and served with fruit, chocolate, or other toppings.

Fun Facts About Cheesecake

Cheesecake is one of those desserts that inspires passionate feelings and numerous innovations. Here are some of our favorite fun facts about cheesecake, revealing how much this dessert is loved throughout the world:

• July 30^th is National Cheesecake Day in the United States.
• Austria once issued strawberry cheesecake-flavored postage stamps.
• The most expensive cheesecake was made at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. With three mocha-infused cheeses, it sold for $300/slice.
• The largest cheesecake ever made was by Philadelphia Kraft Foods Mexico, weighing 4,703 lbs.

Strawberry Cheesecake Cookie Cups Recipe

While this classic strawberry cheesecake recipe uses fresh strawberries for flavor, its miniature size and sugar cookie crust give it an innovative spin. Here’s how to make Jeanette’s strawberry cheesecake cookie cups:

Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 18

Cookie Cup Ingredients:

• 2-¼ c. flour
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 c. butter
• 1 ½ c. sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla

Strawberry Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:

• 1 c. heavy whipping cream
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 c. sugar
• ½ c. mashed fresh strawberries

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 2 regular-sized muffin tins with cooking spray. Beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat in flour, baking soda, and salt. Place 3 Tbsp. of dough in each cup, pressing the dough down and around the sides. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and press down the center of each cookie to form a well.

For the filling, whip cream until soft peaks form. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped cream and strawberries. Spoon into cooled cookie cups and garnish with a fresh strawberry, if desired. Enjoy!

Jeanette’s strawberry cheesecake cookie cups are perfect for when you just need a few bites of rich cheesecake indulgence. We hope you enjoy this luxurious sweet treat!