Just the thought of a picnic has me wishing that my favorites will be there when we lay out the blanket. One favorite I’d like to see on a picnic is cheesecake. I really love cheesecake! To make it a bit easier to pack I had an idea to make cheese COOKIES, and I love when ideas like this turn out GREAT, like these did. Earth day is April 22. These will be perfect for Picnic for the Planet.
Celebrate Earth Day and Picnic for the Planet, pack of your favorite items, grab your friends and family and head on out on an adventure to enjoy all the Earth has to offer.
These cookies are cake-like cookies, soft and bake up a bit fluffy. The cheesecake icing and graham cracker crumbs are just the perfect addition to these.
- 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- ½ cup butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6 drops cheesecake flavor (Loranns)
- 2½ cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Icing:
- ½ cup butter (room temperature)
- 2 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 drops cheese cake flavor
- ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
- Beat cream cheese and butter, then add sugar and mix until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time until incorporated.
- Mix in vanilla and cheesecake flavor.
- Add the flour, baking powder and salt to the butter mixture and combine until blended well.
- Roll out on floured surface and cut with cookie cutter into desired shape, I rolled these out to ¼ inch
- Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
- Icing:
- Beat butter and cream cheese, add in sugar, milk and flavor.
- Pipe on completely cooled cookies and then press the frosted side into a dish of graham cracker crumbs so they stick to the icing. Refrigerate so the icing stays firm.
Are you ready to go for a picnic?
Picnic for the Planet is a celebration of the planet we live on, the food it provides and the people we share it with. In short, the planet does a lot for us — we should take it out for lunch!
Megan's Cookin' says
I like to take lemon cakes in a jar on picnics. What a great way to celebrate earth day!
Megan's Cookin' says
I like you on Facebook!
Megan's Cookin' says
I plan on getting my free tree form the city and planting it! We do it every year.
Megan's Cookin' says
I “like” The Nature Conservancy on Facebook.
Megan's Cookin' says
I’m out of order :/ I did #5
https://twitter.com/#!/MeganPires/status/191923226572627969
Rachael S says
I love picnics! These cookies look fabulous! My favorite picnic dish is caprese salad yum!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
If I won the basket, I’d definitely fill it with your scrumptious cookies.
Cynthia Rathunde says
My favorite thing to bring to a picnic is my family. Picnics are a great way to spend quality time together with out the interruption of everyone’s electronics.
Maria says
The cookies are so cute! Perfect for a picnic! Cookies are a must for picnics:)
naomi says
Diane-LOVE LOVE LOVE these! cheesecake cookies-genius!
kimkake says
We always take fruit on our picnics….and COOKIES!! 🙂
Cookin' Canuck says
Those cookies are adorable, Diane! It’s always fun to bring along a special treat on a picnic.
Stephanie says
I liked you on Facebook.
Stephanie says
My favorite thing at a picnic is definitely home made chocolate chip cookies. They are perfect for sharing with friends and family that may tag along!
Pam says
I would bring my whole extended family to my picnic!
Pam says
I would bring the whole extended family on our picnic
Jeanette says
You are just brilliant Diane – making your favorite cheesecake into cookies! I love making sesame noodles for picnics.
Rikki-Dee says
Can’t go wrong with fried chicken.
Sarah says
I like to freeze grapes for picnics, that way if its a while before we eat they are still cool and refreshing and if we eat not long after leaving they still make for a nice cooling treat!
Jillian whitlow says
A bottle of wine or champagne, it adds a little glamour to a low key picnic. Can’t wait to try these!
Jamie Zumhingst says
as long as we are having fun as a family i like to have anything on a picnic! but homemade cookies are always a great addition 🙂
Jamie Zumhingst says
i ‘liked’ you on facebook.
Jamie Zumhingst says
we are going to be with family…doing what i’m not sure yet…but hopefully it’ll be great! :))
Jamie Zumhingst says
i ‘liked’ The Nature Conservancy on facebook.
Jamie Zumhingst says
following the nature conservancy and tweeted.
https://twitter.com/#!/JamieZumhingst/status/191976656511045632
Jamie Zumhingst says
following all hands on earth & tweeted.
https://twitter.com/#!/JamieZumhingst/status/191977014956269570
julie says
Earth day is my birthday, so I would picnic with my family
julie says
I visited the nature conservancy website I think I will get my family together for a beach picnic on earth day
Samantha says
These sound amazing Diane! I can’t wait to try this recipe! YUM!
julie says
I liked the nature conservancy on facebook
SandyN says
My favorite item for a picnic is a veggie wrap and/or potato salad!
SandyN says
I follow Created by Diane on facebook.
Cori says
Brie and crackers
[email protected] says
Mmmmm. Just, MMMMM! I wish we were next door neighbors.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
You’re killing me with all these awesome cookies! Thanks for this recipe, love them!
Soha Molina says
sandwiches to a picnic
Nasyrah (@nashnordin) says
Wow! That looks beautiful. The first picture makes it looks like nuggets! 🙂
alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
very fun and creative cookies as always!
Paula says
Not entering the giveaway. Just had to say how novel and original these little cheesecake cookies are.
Michelle says
I would love to have a picnic with my boyfriend.
Michelle says
I like Nature.org on facebook
Angel S says
I love to take berry desserts or watermelon to picnics..
Angel S says
I like Nature Conservancy on facebook..
Carolyn says
We love taking Welch Dessert Cakes on a picnic. It’s about the only time I make them, so the family really enjoys it when I do.
Londa says
Favorite picnic food: Jimmy John’s #2! 🙂
Rosie Bradley says
My favorite thing to take on a picnic is a pasta salad, great bread, yummy cookies and lemonade to quench your thirst! Mmmmmm!!!
Zee says
wow this looks amazing!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
What a perfect way to make cheesecake portable! So cute too in the heart shape.
Christopher Sorel says
I would bring my smoked ribs and have mu wife come with her potato salad the best
Christopher Sorel says
Like Created by Diane on facebook
Christopher Sorel says
working with my sons boy scouts to clean up local park
Christopher Sorel says
like” The Nature Conservancy on Facebook
Christopher Sorel says
follow nature on twitter and tweet https://twitter.com/#!/cjsorel/status/192215926282792960
Christopher Sorel says
follow all hands on twitter and twet https://twitter.com/#!/cjsorel/status/192216175567056896
Jocelyn says
I love to bring cupcakes to picnics. So much easier and no fork needed:-) These cookies are awesome!!!!
Jocelyn says
I like Created by Diane on facebook:-)
shirley says
My favorite thing to bring is a board game. Those cookies look tasty!
MaryBeth says
My bring-along picnic food is usually a fruit salad or brown sugar baked beans.
gail says
cheese and crackers
gail says
liked you on fb
gail says
visited the website and i plan on taking my recyclables to the recycle center on earth day
gail says
liked NC on fb
Becca from It's Yummilicious says
My perfect picnic would consist of my favorite fried chicken, great music, and a soft breeze!
Becca from It's Yummilicious says
I DEFINITELY like you on Facebook!
Becca from It's Yummilicious says
I celebrate every Earth day by planting a tree seedling at my favorite cabin in the woods of Door County Wisconsin!
Becca from It's Yummilicious says
I follow the Nature Conservancy on Twitter and Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/#!/ItsYummi/status/192285571769569282
Becca from It's Yummilicious says
I “like” the Nature Conservancy on Facebook!
Bridget says
I love bringing pasta salad to a picnic – whole wheat pasta, and LOTS of roasted or grilled veggies… filling, delicious, and nutritious.
Bridget says
I visited the Nature Conservancy website, and saw that there’s a picnic on Boston Common. That might be fun to go to, or perhaps my husband and I will take a hike in the woods near my house.
Rebecca May says
I love to bring a kite, my handsome fiance, and a wonderful bottle of summer dessert wine to my favorite nature centers and to just sit back, lay in the grass, and watch the clouds go by!
Debbie says
I promised my daughter that we would have a picnic on Memorial Day weekend, and since the closest she’s ever come to a real picnic is when we have strawberry picnics on the living room floor, I’d say I’ll have to bring some strawberries to our picnic.
Bridget says
I “like” the Nature Conservancy on Facebook
Barbie says
I know this is silly, but as a child my mom must have taken us on hundreds of picnics and she always packed a small bag of sugar. We would picnic on a hill behind my parents house, pick wild flowers, play in the trees and when it was over we would take the bag of sugar to the ant hill and feed the ants. The ant hill is still there and now I take my children with a bag of sugar to feed the ants. That is a picnic to me.
Kathy says
Chocolate and vanilla Checkerboard cake
Barbie says
We always plant a tree for Earth Day, but I thibk this year we will make recycle bins as well
Barbie says
I like you on Facebook.
Mandy says
I live over sees and have never found cheesecake flavoring. Do you have another suggestion for me to try this recipe?
Diane says
They will taste fine without the cheesecake flavoring, I would add an additional 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Here is a link to the flavor on Amazon if that helps http://www.amazon.com/LorAnn-Oils-Cheesecake-Flavouring-dram/dp/B0000VLRII/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335209014&sr=8-2
Almond extract might be nice, but you can certainly add any flavor you’d prefer. lemon, strawberry, raspberry…. the possibilities are endless. The graham cracker crumbs will give them the feeling of cheesecake with any flavor I think.
Jean A says
Favorite item to bring on picnic is pastries!
Jean A says
Visit National Park!
Jean A says
Liked Nature Conservancy
Jean A says
Tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/jeandfsh/status/192300749160587264
Jean A says
Tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/jeandfsh/status/192301211146395649
Tracy Luke says
The most favorite things I bring to a picnic are my loved one. Somehow the food always seems to taste better, no matter what it is.
Krissy says
My perfect picnic would be me, my hubby, our 2 kids and our dog Barney. PB&J would be in our picnic basket along with some yummy potato chips.
Krissy says
For Earth Day this year we plan on buying a new tree for our front yard and planting it. Also we might do some more recycling that week than our normal routine. We have 3 recycle bins that we normally fill up on a weekly basis.
Krissy says
I “like” The Nature Conservancy on Facebook.
Jasey @ Crazy Daisy says
Really, my favorite thing to bring to a picnic is my kiddos and husband. I love to treat with homemade treats, and lemonade 🙂
Krissy says
I “Like” Created by Diane on facebook.
Claudia Barragan says
perfect picnic with my family, fresh fruit cheese and crackers.
Olivia says
My favorite things to bring are watermelon and potato salad!
Olivia says
I also ‘like’ you on Facebook
Tracy says
Pan bagnat, potato chips and watermelon.
Magic of Spice says
Love this project and love these gorgeous cookies!
Namitha says
Love these cookies, perfect picnic cookies indeed 🙂 I do take some home made cookies for all our family picnics
Eve says
My favorite item to bring to a picnic is watermelon! Thanks for the giveaway!
Heather says
Aside from wonderful food and drink, my favorite thing to bring to a picnic is reusable silverware and plates and napkins–just dump back in the basket at the end and wash at home. Way better than disposables!
Amy says
I love picnic with my kids. Our favorite things to bring are salad, sandwiches, and cookie bars. 🙂
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
“Liked” Created by Diane on facebook
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
For the Earth Day, I would love to host a picnic and raise awareness to love our planet!
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
“liked” The Nature Conservancy on Facebook
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/192412664918589440
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
following all hands on earth and tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/192412922142662656
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Ashlei says
I love tomato soup in a thermos or grapes at picnics.
Jeanne Zavesky says
I love to bring sandwiches and a batch of Paula Deen’s lemon bars! mmmmm
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Did you say “cheesecake”?! Yum…these cookies look so sweet and delicious. Our girls live for picnics…they would be my chosen picnic guests. 🙂
Rebby says
My fave item to bring on a picnic is spinach dip and a baguette! Your cream cheese cookies look to die for by the way!! Might be my new fave picnic item!!
Rebby says
I “Like” Created by Diane on facebook (Rebecca Roberts)
Rebby says
I think I will plant some trees this Earth Day!
Rebby says
I “like” The Nature Conservancy on Facebook (Rebecca Roberts)
Rebby says
I Follow The Nature Conservancy on Twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/RebTheCatSitter/status/192482027835113472
@rebthecatsitter
Rebby says
I follow All Hands On Earth on Twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/RebTheCatSitter/status/192482602039521280
@rebthecatsitter
Holly says
These cookies look wonderful. I found cheesecake flavoring on Amazon.com, but am not quite sure which type to buy. There seems to be a 1 dram size of flavoring and larger sizes of oil for candies. Can you please clarify it for me? I am ready to get them baking!
Lisa [With Style and Grace] says
love the idea of cheesecake cookies and these are just too cute!
NANCY M says
My girls love to take “mini” sandwiches. Something about bite sized food makes it more fun.
NANCY M says
I “liked” you on Facebook.
NANCY M says
We are planting a new tree this year!
NANCY M says
I liked Nature Conservancy on Facebook.
Jennifer Perry says
Well typically I want a lot of great fruit and cheese for a picnic but now I want to make these!!!!! yum! We have an all school picnic and I’ll be bringing these….
Samantha says
I usually bring a nice pasta salad! Can’t beat that in the warm, summer months!
Samantha says
I already “like” your facebook page!
Jennifer says
Favorite thing to bring on a picnic? My daughters of course! And a great sandwich with lots of veggies and an extravagant cheese.
Kathy says
My favorite thing to bring to a picnic is my kids and potato salad;)
Kathy says
I like Nature Conservancy on FB!!
Terry entwistle says
I like to take cupcakes on a picnic.
Sue says
I love to have watermelon on a picnic!
Sue says
I LIKE you on facebook:)
Madeline says
Thanks so much for supporting The Nature Conservancy this Earth Day, Diane! Your cheesecake cookies look so delicious! And what a perfect portable snack for a picnic.
-Madeline, The Nature Conservancy
Shawna Steffen says
My favorite picnic item is deviled eggs. A bit tricky to transport, but they’re so yummy.
megan p says
I would picnic with anyone except the ants 🙂
Katie says
my favorite thing to bring on a picnic is cheese!
Katie says
For Earth Day, if the weather is nice, I’ll probably go visit the local botanical garden!
Theresa J says
My favorite item to bring to a picnic is lemonade
Theresa J says
I “Like” Created by Diane on facebook
Theresa J says
I Visited The Nature Conservancy website and I will be at Coachella this Earth Day
Sondi Hardy says
Lovely idea! 🙂
Athena R says
I love going on picnics with my honey. We usually take sandwiches and fruit.
Athena R says
I TNC on FB.
Athena R says
I follow TNC on Twitter and tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/GoddessFoodie/status/193368634163347457
JoAnn says
Potato salad! 🙂
Carolyn A says
Pesto pasta salad with roasted bell peppers.
Meryl says
Pasta salads.
Louis says
Cold shrimp with cocktail sauce.
Julie says
like picnicing in the park close by
Julie says
like u on fb Julie A Scott Laws
Julie says
like NC on fb Julie A Scott Laws
Veronica @ My Eats & Treats says
I would love to enjoy a beautiful day outdoors with my mom and grandma, sharing a big bowl of colorful fruit salad while bathing in the sun and sharing laughter.
Veronica @ My Eats & Treats says
I liked the Nature Conservancy on Facebook!
Veronica @ My Eats & Treats says
I follow the Nature Conservancy on Twitter! @MyEatsAndTreats
Veronica @ My Eats & Treats says
I like your Facebook page!
Carmen says
I’d love to go on a picnic with my husband and daughter, with some cold fried chicken, biscuits, coleslaw and watermelon.
kita says
OMG how have I never had a cheesecake cookie before?
Kassandra says
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