Cheesecake Cookies

 
Cheesecake Cookies

Cookie Crust 
(for about 12-14 cookies)

 1 cup ground almonds

1cup cheerios cereal ( finally crushed) or 1 cup graham cracker crumbs

 

 

4tbl melted butter

1 tbl sugar

Oven at 350F
In a medium size bowl, combine ground almonds, finely crushed cheerios Cereal, sugar, add butter and work the mixture until is moist and stick together when pressed between fingers.

Making Cookie Shapes
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a round cutter, place 1 packed tbl of the crust mixture into a inner circle of the cutter. Using your hands press down tightly, and also up the sides of the cutter, forming a “tart” like shape. Gently lift the cutter and release the cookie leaving it on the baking sheet, continue with the rest of the crust mixture until you are done.
Bake the crust cookies at 350F for 8 minutes, until edges are lightly brown. Let cool on the baking sheet.
Lower the oven to 325F

 

1/2 pkg Cream cheese 4oz(1oz =28.3grams) – you can easily substitute for ricotta cheese, farmer’s cheese, or combination

1/3cup sugar

1tbl fresh lemon juice

zest of half lemon

1egg

 

In a medium size bowl, beat cream cheese with a hand mixer, starting on low speed and increasing, add sugar, egg, lemon juice and lemon zest, beat after each addition until smooth.

Fill the Cookies

Gently drop one1tbl of cream cheese filling on each cookie, gently spread the filling, take care not to go over the edges.
Bake at 325F for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Filling on freshly baked cookies will looked puffed, it will flatten as it cools.

Using a small knife or a spatula, carefully remove cookies from the baking sheet, and place them into the round treat cups,
I bought mine at Michael’s Craft Store. 
Chill and Serve. I wouldn’t stack these in any way, they need to be stored in one layer.

 Inside of the cookie is soft with a crispy crust.

Decorate with roasted coconut to create a nest like shape, place few candy eggs in the middle

 Shave chocolate on the top

 Use a pretty meringue rose(recipe)

 

 

4oz(114grams) sweetened, shredded coconut
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper
Oven at 350F
Spread the coconut in one layer onto the baking sheet.
Bake for 5 minutes, watch very carefully, you will need to stir the coconut, to ensure even toasting.
Edges always brown quicker than middle part so be watchful and don’t let it burn. Once your coconut is toasted, lightly brown, golden in color let it cool completely before adding to any recipe.Set aside.