Lemon Poppy Seed Cheesecake Cookies

These Lemon Poppy Seed Cheesecake Cookies are thick, soft, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor! Topped with a rich, velvety cheesecake frosting, these cookies are the perfect combination of tangy, sweet, and creamy. The poppy seeds add a subtle crunch that takes these cookies to the next level. Whether you’re making them for a family gathering, a party, or just to treat yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to impress!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to make: No complicated steps, just simple, delicious cookies.
Bursting with lemon flavor: Lemon zest and juice give these cookies a bright, citrusy taste.
Creamy cheesecake frosting: A smooth, tangy topping that complements the cookies perfectly.
Perfect for any occasion: These cookies are great for holidays, parties, or an everyday treat!

Lemon Poppy Seed Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the full ingredient list and measurements, check out the recipe card below.

Cookies:

110g butter, melted
200g granulated sugar
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
210g all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp poppy seeds
1/2 tsp salt

Cheesecake Frosting:

200g cream cheese (cold)
75g powdered sugar
1 tbsp agave or honey
120g heavy cream (cold)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Poppy seeds for garnish
Lemon slices for decoration (optional)

Ingredients You’ll Need For Lemon Poppy Seed Cheesecake Cookies

Step-By-Step Instructions

1: Prepare the Butter

Melt the butter in a microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. Allow it to cool to room temperature before using. This step ensures the butter incorporates properly into the dough without making it too greasy.

2: Infuse the Sugar with Lemon Zest

In a mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and fresh lemon zest. Use your fingers to rub them together until the mixture resembles wet sand. This process helps release the natural oils in the lemon zest, enhancing the citrus flavor of the cookies.

3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Add the cooled melted butter to the sugar mixture and whisk for about a minute until fully incorporated. Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. This creates a smooth, flavorful base for the cookie dough.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cheesecake Cookies Step-By-Step

4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, poppy seeds, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients separately ensures even distribution of the leavening agents, leading to a consistent texture in the cookies.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a rubber spatula. Mix until just combined overmixing can lead to dense cookies. The dough should be soft but not overly sticky.

6: Chill the Dough

Using a cookie scoop, portion out 11 evenly-sized cookie dough balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking and enhances the flavors.

7: Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 355ºF (180ºC) while the dough chills. Once ready, bake 6 cookies at a time on a prepared baking sheet for 10-11 minutes or until the edges are set and slightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Bake the Lemon Poppy Seed Cheesecake Cookies

8: Prepare the Cheesecake Frosting

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the cold cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and agave or honey until smooth. Add in the cold heavy cream and whip until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip, as it can cause the frosting to become too thick.

9: Assemble the Cookies

Once the cookies are fully cooled, transfer the cheesecake frosting to a piping bag fitted with a round tip (such as Wilton 2A). Pipe a swirl of frosting on top of each cookie, starting from the center and moving outward. Sprinkle with poppy seeds and garnish with a lemon zest or slice for an elegant finish.

Expert Baking Tips

Chill the dough to prevent spreading.
Use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements.
Use cold cream cheese for the perfect frosting consistency.
Let cookies cool completely before adding frosting.

Best Lemon Poppy Seed Cheesecake Cookies

FAQs

What makes these Lemon Poppy Seed Cheesecake Cookies unique?

These cookies combine the tangy zest of lemon and the subtle crunch of poppy seeds in a soft cookie, topped with a rich, creamy cheesecake frosting. The unique blend of flavors and textures makes them a delightful treat for any occasion.

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon zest?

For the best flavor, fresh lemon zest is recommended as it provides a vibrant citrus aroma that bottled lemon juice cannot match. If fresh lemons aren’t available, you might use a small amount of lemon oil or extract as a substitute, but adjust quantities as these are more concentrated than fresh zest.

How important is it to chill the cookie dough before baking?

Chilling the dough is crucial as it helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and ensures they maintain a nice, thick texture. The chill time allows the ingredients to meld together, resulting in a more flavorful cookie.

What are the keys to making the cheesecake frosting perfect?

. Ensure that the cream cheese is cold and the heavy cream is well-chilled before you begin.
. Mix until just combined without overbeating to keep the frosting light and airy.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time? How should I store them?

Yes, you can prepare these cookies in advance. The unfrosted cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for up to a month. The frosting can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated. Assemble with frosting just before serving to maintain the best texture and freshness.

Easy Lemon Poppy Seed Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Storage & Freezing

Refrigerate: Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to a month. Let them thaw at room temperature before frosting.

Looking for more delicious cookie recipes? Try these!

These lemon poppy seed cheesecake cookies are the ultimate dessert, combining bright citrus flavors with a rich cheesecake frosting. Whether you’re a fan of crispy lemon poppy seed cookies or prefer a soft, chewy texture, this lemon poppy seed cookie recipe is a must-try. Perfect for any occasion, these poppy seed cookies will quickly become a favorite in your baking rotation. Enjoy every bite!

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