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
April 16, 2012 at 9:10 amI like to take lemon cakes in a jar on picnics. What a great way to celebrate earth day!
Megan's Cookin' says
April 16, 2012 at 9:11 amI like you on Facebook!
Megan's Cookin' says
April 16, 2012 at 9:14 amI plan on getting my free tree form the city and planting it! We do it every year.
Megan's Cookin' says
April 16, 2012 at 9:15 amI “like” The Nature Conservancy on Facebook.
Megan's Cookin' says
April 16, 2012 at 9:18 amI’m out of order :/ I did #5
https://twitter.com/#!/MeganPires/status/191923226572627969
Rachael S says
April 16, 2012 at 9:28 amI love picnics! These cookies look fabulous! My favorite picnic dish is caprese salad yum!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
April 16, 2012 at 9:30 amIf I won the basket, I’d definitely fill it with your scrumptious cookies.
Cynthia Rathunde says
April 16, 2012 at 9:57 amMy 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
April 16, 2012 at 10:06 amThe cookies are so cute! Perfect for a picnic! Cookies are a must for picnics:)
naomi says
April 16, 2012 at 10:13 amDiane-LOVE LOVE LOVE these! cheesecake cookies-genius!
kimkake says
April 16, 2012 at 10:28 amWe always take fruit on our picnics….and COOKIES!! 🙂
Cookin' Canuck says
April 16, 2012 at 10:59 amThose cookies are adorable, Diane! It’s always fun to bring along a special treat on a picnic.
Stephanie says
April 16, 2012 at 11:00 amI liked you on Facebook.
Stephanie says
April 16, 2012 at 11:02 amMy 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
April 16, 2012 at 11:15 amI would bring my whole extended family to my picnic!
Pam says
April 16, 2012 at 11:55 amI would bring the whole extended family on our picnic
Jeanette says
April 16, 2012 at 11:56 amYou are just brilliant Diane – making your favorite cheesecake into cookies! I love making sesame noodles for picnics.
Rikki-Dee says
April 16, 2012 at 12:20 pmCan’t go wrong with fried chicken.
Sarah says
April 16, 2012 at 12:32 pmI 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
April 16, 2012 at 12:38 pmA bottle of wine or champagne, it adds a little glamour to a low key picnic. Can’t wait to try these!
Jamie Zumhingst says
April 16, 2012 at 12:44 pmas 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
April 16, 2012 at 12:45 pmi ‘liked’ you on facebook.
Jamie Zumhingst says
April 16, 2012 at 12:47 pmwe are going to be with family…doing what i’m not sure yet…but hopefully it’ll be great! :))
Jamie Zumhingst says
April 16, 2012 at 12:48 pmi ‘liked’ The Nature Conservancy on facebook.
Jamie Zumhingst says
April 16, 2012 at 12:50 pmfollowing the nature conservancy and tweeted.
https://twitter.com/#!/JamieZumhingst/status/191976656511045632
Jamie Zumhingst says
April 16, 2012 at 12:51 pmfollowing all hands on earth & tweeted.
https://twitter.com/#!/JamieZumhingst/status/191977014956269570
julie says
April 16, 2012 at 1:39 pmEarth day is my birthday, so I would picnic with my family
julie says
April 16, 2012 at 1:42 pmI visited the nature conservancy website I think I will get my family together for a beach picnic on earth day
Samantha says
April 16, 2012 at 1:57 pmThese sound amazing Diane! I can’t wait to try this recipe! YUM!
julie says
April 16, 2012 at 2:11 pmI liked the nature conservancy on facebook
SandyN says
April 16, 2012 at 2:38 pmMy favorite item for a picnic is a veggie wrap and/or potato salad!
SandyN says
April 16, 2012 at 2:38 pmI follow Created by Diane on facebook.
Cori says
April 16, 2012 at 2:56 pmBrie and crackers
[email protected] says
April 16, 2012 at 3:19 pmMmmmm. Just, MMMMM! I wish we were next door neighbors.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
April 16, 2012 at 3:39 pmYou’re killing me with all these awesome cookies! Thanks for this recipe, love them!
Soha Molina says
April 16, 2012 at 4:58 pmsandwiches to a picnic
Nasyrah (@nashnordin) says
April 16, 2012 at 5:47 pmWow! That looks beautiful. The first picture makes it looks like nuggets! 🙂
alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
April 16, 2012 at 5:57 pmvery fun and creative cookies as always!
Paula says
April 16, 2012 at 5:58 pmNot entering the giveaway. Just had to say how novel and original these little cheesecake cookies are.
Michelle says
April 16, 2012 at 8:01 pmI would love to have a picnic with my boyfriend.
Michelle says
April 16, 2012 at 8:03 pmI like Nature.org on facebook
Angel S says
April 16, 2012 at 8:11 pmI love to take berry desserts or watermelon to picnics..
Angel S says
April 16, 2012 at 8:12 pmI like Nature Conservancy on facebook..
Carolyn says
April 16, 2012 at 8:19 pmWe 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
April 16, 2012 at 8:32 pmFavorite picnic food: Jimmy John’s #2! 🙂
Rosie Bradley says
April 16, 2012 at 8:55 pmMy favorite thing to take on a picnic is a pasta salad, great bread, yummy cookies and lemonade to quench your thirst! Mmmmmm!!!
Zee says
April 17, 2012 at 12:42 amwow this looks amazing!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
April 17, 2012 at 1:04 amWhat a perfect way to make cheesecake portable! So cute too in the heart shape.
Christopher Sorel says
April 17, 2012 at 4:38 amI would bring my smoked ribs and have mu wife come with her potato salad the best
Christopher Sorel says
April 17, 2012 at 4:39 amLike Created by Diane on facebook
Christopher Sorel says
April 17, 2012 at 4:39 amworking with my sons boy scouts to clean up local park
Christopher Sorel says
April 17, 2012 at 4:40 amlike” The Nature Conservancy on Facebook
Christopher Sorel says
April 17, 2012 at 4:40 amfollow nature on twitter and tweet https://twitter.com/#!/cjsorel/status/192215926282792960
Christopher Sorel says
April 17, 2012 at 4:41 amfollow all hands on twitter and twet https://twitter.com/#!/cjsorel/status/192216175567056896
Jocelyn says
April 17, 2012 at 5:04 amI love to bring cupcakes to picnics. So much easier and no fork needed:-) These cookies are awesome!!!!
Jocelyn says
April 17, 2012 at 5:05 amI like Created by Diane on facebook:-)
shirley says
April 17, 2012 at 5:32 amMy favorite thing to bring is a board game. Those cookies look tasty!
MaryBeth says
April 17, 2012 at 6:06 amMy bring-along picnic food is usually a fruit salad or brown sugar baked beans.
gail says
April 17, 2012 at 7:23 amcheese and crackers
gail says
April 17, 2012 at 7:24 amliked you on fb
gail says
April 17, 2012 at 7:24 amvisited the website and i plan on taking my recyclables to the recycle center on earth day
gail says
April 17, 2012 at 7:25 amliked NC on fb
Becca from It's Yummilicious says
April 17, 2012 at 9:15 amMy perfect picnic would consist of my favorite fried chicken, great music, and a soft breeze!
Becca from It's Yummilicious says
April 17, 2012 at 9:15 amI DEFINITELY like you on Facebook!
Becca from It's Yummilicious says
April 17, 2012 at 9:16 amI 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
April 17, 2012 at 9:18 amI follow the Nature Conservancy on Twitter and Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/#!/ItsYummi/status/192285571769569282
Becca from It's Yummilicious says
April 17, 2012 at 9:18 amI “like” the Nature Conservancy on Facebook!
Bridget says
April 17, 2012 at 9:19 amI love bringing pasta salad to a picnic – whole wheat pasta, and LOTS of roasted or grilled veggies… filling, delicious, and nutritious.
Bridget says
April 17, 2012 at 9:20 amI 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
April 17, 2012 at 9:23 amI 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
April 17, 2012 at 9:25 amI 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
April 17, 2012 at 9:28 amI “like” the Nature Conservancy on Facebook
Barbie says
April 17, 2012 at 9:29 amI 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
April 17, 2012 at 9:30 amChocolate and vanilla Checkerboard cake
Barbie says
April 17, 2012 at 9:31 amWe always plant a tree for Earth Day, but I thibk this year we will make recycle bins as well
Barbie says
April 17, 2012 at 9:32 amI like you on Facebook.
Mandy says
April 17, 2012 at 10:10 amI live over sees and have never found cheesecake flavoring. Do you have another suggestion for me to try this recipe?
Diane says
April 23, 2012 at 12:25 pmThey 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
April 17, 2012 at 10:14 amFavorite item to bring on picnic is pastries!
Jean A says
April 17, 2012 at 10:15 amVisit National Park!
Jean A says
April 17, 2012 at 10:15 amLiked Nature Conservancy
Jean A says
April 17, 2012 at 10:18 amTweeted https://twitter.com/#!/jeandfsh/status/192300749160587264
Jean A says
April 17, 2012 at 10:20 amTweeted https://twitter.com/#!/jeandfsh/status/192301211146395649
Tracy Luke says
April 17, 2012 at 10:31 amThe 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
April 17, 2012 at 10:40 amMy 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
April 17, 2012 at 10:45 amFor 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
April 17, 2012 at 10:46 amI “like” The Nature Conservancy on Facebook.
Jasey @ Crazy Daisy says
April 17, 2012 at 11:03 amReally, my favorite thing to bring to a picnic is my kiddos and husband. I love to treat with homemade treats, and lemonade 🙂
Krissy says
April 17, 2012 at 11:14 amI “Like” Created by Diane on facebook.
Claudia Barragan says
April 17, 2012 at 11:51 amperfect picnic with my family, fresh fruit cheese and crackers.
Olivia says
April 17, 2012 at 12:05 pmMy favorite things to bring are watermelon and potato salad!
Olivia says
April 17, 2012 at 12:06 pmI also ‘like’ you on Facebook
Tracy says
April 17, 2012 at 12:19 pmPan bagnat, potato chips and watermelon.
Magic of Spice says
April 17, 2012 at 12:53 pmLove this project and love these gorgeous cookies!
Namitha says
April 17, 2012 at 1:05 pmLove these cookies, perfect picnic cookies indeed 🙂 I do take some home made cookies for all our family picnics
Eve says
April 17, 2012 at 3:14 pmMy favorite item to bring to a picnic is watermelon! Thanks for the giveaway!
Heather says
April 17, 2012 at 5:33 pmAside 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
April 17, 2012 at 5:38 pmI love picnic with my kids. Our favorite things to bring are salad, sandwiches, and cookie bars. 🙂
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
April 17, 2012 at 5:38 pm“Liked” Created by Diane on facebook
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
April 17, 2012 at 5:41 pmFor the Earth Day, I would love to host a picnic and raise awareness to love our planet!
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
April 17, 2012 at 5:41 pm“liked” The Nature Conservancy on Facebook
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
April 17, 2012 at 5:42 pmtweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/192412664918589440
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
April 17, 2012 at 5:43 pmfollowing all hands on earth and tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/192412922142662656
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Ashlei says
April 17, 2012 at 5:55 pmI love tomato soup in a thermos or grapes at picnics.
Jeanne Zavesky says
April 17, 2012 at 7:14 pmI love to bring sandwiches and a batch of Paula Deen’s lemon bars! mmmmm
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
April 17, 2012 at 7:32 pmDid 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
April 17, 2012 at 10:10 pmMy 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
April 17, 2012 at 10:10 pmI “Like” Created by Diane on facebook (Rebecca Roberts)
Rebby says
April 17, 2012 at 10:14 pmI think I will plant some trees this Earth Day!
Rebby says
April 17, 2012 at 10:17 pmI “like” The Nature Conservancy on Facebook (Rebecca Roberts)
Rebby says
April 17, 2012 at 10:18 pmI Follow The Nature Conservancy on Twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/RebTheCatSitter/status/192482027835113472
@rebthecatsitter
Rebby says
April 17, 2012 at 10:20 pmI follow All Hands On Earth on Twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/RebTheCatSitter/status/192482602039521280
@rebthecatsitter
Holly says
April 18, 2012 at 4:42 amThese 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
April 18, 2012 at 6:23 amlove the idea of cheesecake cookies and these are just too cute!
NANCY M says
April 18, 2012 at 7:39 amMy girls love to take “mini” sandwiches. Something about bite sized food makes it more fun.
NANCY M says
April 18, 2012 at 7:40 amI “liked” you on Facebook.
NANCY M says
April 18, 2012 at 7:41 amWe are planting a new tree this year!
NANCY M says
April 18, 2012 at 7:44 amI liked Nature Conservancy on Facebook.
Jennifer Perry says
April 18, 2012 at 8:41 amWell 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
April 18, 2012 at 9:15 amI usually bring a nice pasta salad! Can’t beat that in the warm, summer months!
Samantha says
April 18, 2012 at 9:16 amI already “like” your facebook page!
Jennifer says
April 18, 2012 at 10:32 amFavorite thing to bring on a picnic? My daughters of course! And a great sandwich with lots of veggies and an extravagant cheese.
Kathy says
April 18, 2012 at 1:06 pmMy favorite thing to bring to a picnic is my kids and potato salad;)
Kathy says
April 18, 2012 at 1:06 pmI like Nature Conservancy on FB!!
Terry entwistle says
April 18, 2012 at 4:46 pmI like to take cupcakes on a picnic.
Sue says
April 18, 2012 at 9:29 pmI love to have watermelon on a picnic!
Sue says
April 18, 2012 at 9:30 pmI LIKE you on facebook:)
Madeline says
April 19, 2012 at 8:09 amThanks 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
April 19, 2012 at 1:10 pmMy favorite picnic item is deviled eggs. A bit tricky to transport, but they’re so yummy.
megan p says
April 19, 2012 at 4:52 pmI would picnic with anyone except the ants 🙂
Katie says
April 19, 2012 at 6:35 pmmy favorite thing to bring on a picnic is cheese!
Katie says
April 19, 2012 at 6:40 pmFor Earth Day, if the weather is nice, I’ll probably go visit the local botanical garden!
Theresa J says
April 19, 2012 at 8:49 pmMy favorite item to bring to a picnic is lemonade
Theresa J says
April 19, 2012 at 8:56 pmI “Like” Created by Diane on facebook
Theresa J says
April 19, 2012 at 9:03 pmI Visited The Nature Conservancy website and I will be at Coachella this Earth Day
Sondi Hardy says
April 19, 2012 at 10:35 pmLovely idea! 🙂
Athena R says
April 20, 2012 at 8:59 amI love going on picnics with my honey. We usually take sandwiches and fruit.
Athena R says
April 20, 2012 at 9:00 amI TNC on FB.
Athena R says
April 20, 2012 at 9:01 amI follow TNC on Twitter and tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/GoddessFoodie/status/193368634163347457
JoAnn says
April 20, 2012 at 11:30 amPotato salad! 🙂
Carolyn A says
April 20, 2012 at 2:03 pmPesto pasta salad with roasted bell peppers.
Meryl says
April 21, 2012 at 8:50 pmPasta salads.
Louis says
April 21, 2012 at 8:50 pmCold shrimp with cocktail sauce.
Julie says
April 22, 2012 at 9:08 amlike picnicing in the park close by
Julie says
April 22, 2012 at 9:09 amlike u on fb Julie A Scott Laws
Julie says
April 22, 2012 at 9:09 amlike NC on fb Julie A Scott Laws
Veronica @ My Eats & Treats says
April 22, 2012 at 5:10 pmI 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
April 22, 2012 at 5:11 pmI liked the Nature Conservancy on Facebook!
Veronica @ My Eats & Treats says
April 22, 2012 at 5:11 pmI follow the Nature Conservancy on Twitter! @MyEatsAndTreats
Veronica @ My Eats & Treats says
April 22, 2012 at 5:18 pmI like your Facebook page!
Carmen says
April 22, 2012 at 6:16 pmI’d love to go on a picnic with my husband and daughter, with some cold fried chicken, biscuits, coleslaw and watermelon.
kita says
January 19, 2014 at 12:56 pmOMG how have I never had a cheesecake cookie before?
Kassandra says
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The printf function sends this string tto the output.
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