Description
Delight in these zesty Lemon Coconut Cheesecake Cookies, featuring a perfect balance of tangy lemon and creamy cheesecake flavors with a delightful coconut crunch. Soft, chewy, and baked to golden perfection, these cookies make a luscious treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup coconut flakes (sweetened or unsweetened)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Wet Ingredients
Add-ins & Toppings
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cream Butter and Sugars: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time to incorporate them fully. Then stir in the lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined to infuse the dough with refreshing citrus flavor and aroma.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make the cookies tough.
- Fold in Coconut and Cream Cheese: Gently fold in the coconut flakes and softened cream cheese until smooth and evenly distributed, which adds rich creaminess and a delightful chewy texture.
- Form Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop dollops of dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, spacing them adequately to allow for spreading.
- Bake and Cool: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers remain soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Notes
- For best texture, do not overmix the dough once the flour is added.
- Using fresh lemon zest and juice provides a brighter flavor than bottled lemon juice.
- Sweetened coconut flakes add extra sweetness, so adjust sugar amounts if preferred.
- Softened cream cheese should be at room temperature for easier incorporation.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
