Autumn Delight: Vermont's Cheesecake Filled Pumpkin Cookies

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Vermont Autumn in Every Bite: Cheesecake Filled Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

Vermont, renowned for its picturesque fall landscapes and cozy traditions, is the perfect backdrop for enjoying all things autumn. When the air turns crisp and the leaves paint the hillsides in gold and amber, it’s time to embrace the flavors that define the season. Among the many fall treats, Cheesecake Filled Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies stand out as a warm, sweet, and irresistibly cozy dessert that fits right into the Vermont vibe.

These cookies aren’t just any pumpkin spice treat. The soft, chewy cookie is delicately spiced, filled with rich cheesecake goodness, and dusted with pumpkin-spiced sugar for the perfect balance of sweetness and warmth. Whether you’re enjoying a night by the fire, hosting friends for a fall gathering, or indulging after a day of leaf-peeping, these cookies bring a little taste of Vermont’s fall magic to your kitchen.

What Makes Them Special?

There’s something about pumpkin spice that just says autumn in Vermont. The sweet notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves fill the air as these cookies bake, creating an aroma that’s comforting and inviting. But the real surprise comes in the form of a creamy cheesecake center that adds an indulgent touch to the already delicious cookie. Each bite offers a burst of flavor with the warmth of spice, the smoothness of the filling, and the perfect hint of sweetness. They are not just cookies; they are an autumn celebration.

Recipe: Cheesecake Filled Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

For the Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies:

• 2 ⅓ cups (290g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp (5g) cornstarch
• 2 tsp (6g) baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
• 2 tsp (10ml) vanilla extract

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

For Rolling:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp pumpkin spice

Directions:

1. Prepare the Cookie Dough:
   In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin spice. In another bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until fully combined. Chill the dough for 30-45 minutes.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
   In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm.
3. Assemble the Cookies:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix granulated sugar and pumpkin spice in a shallow bowl. Take 1 tablespoon of chilled dough, flatten it into a disk, and place 1 teaspoon of cheesecake filling in the center. Cover with another flattened disk, seal the edges, and gently roll into a ball. Roll the cookie ball in the pumpkin spiced sugar and place on the baking sheet.
4. Bake and Cool:
   Bake for 8-12 minutes until the cookies are golden and set. Let them cool for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

These cookies capture the essence of Vermont’s fall — warm, comforting, and filled with delightful surprises. The combination of pumpkin spice and cheesecake filling makes them perfect for cozy nights in, or as a show-stopping treat for autumn gatherings.

As the leaves fall and the chilly breeze settles in, these Cheesecake Filled Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies bring a little warmth and sweetness to every bite, making them the ultimate autumn indulgence in the Green Mountain State.

Here are some great sources for the Cheesecake Filled Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies recipe:

1. In Bloom Bakery offers a detailed recipe for pumpkin cheesecake cookies, emphasizing techniques like drying the pumpkin puree to avoid excess moisture. The recipe includes freezing the cream cheese filling before assembly to ensure a creamy center inside the cookies​(In Bloom Bakery).
2. Sugar Spun Run provides an approachable take on pumpkin cheesecake cookies, with a rich cream cheese filling wrapped in pumpkin-spiced cookie dough. Their recipe suggests rolling the cookie dough balls in cinnamon sugar for extra flavor​(Sugar Spun Run).
3. The Novice Chef breaks down the process of making these cookies with a clear step-by-step guide, including tips on how to make your own pumpkin pie spice and ensuring the cheesecake filling remains intact during baking​(The Novice Chef).

These sources provide excellent variations on the classic cheesecake-filled pumpkin cookie, ensuring that your cookies turn out soft, spiced, and perfectly creamy!