A raspberry cheesecake cookie is a delicious hybrid dessert combining the flavors of cheesecake and raspberry cookies. With a creamy cheesecake base and sweet raspberry jam swirled throughout, these cookies are a tasty treat that satisfy any sweet tooth. However, with indulgent baked goods like these, many people wonder just how many calories are packed into one cookie.
What are the ingredients in a raspberry cheesecake cookie?
Raspberry cheesecake cookies are made with a short list of ingredients including:
- All-purpose flour
- Butter or margarine
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Cream cheese
- Raspberry jam or preserves
The base of the cookie starts with the typical ingredients found in most cookie recipes like flour, butter, and sugars. To give it that cheesecake flair, cream cheese is added to the dough mixture. Dollops of raspberry jam are then swirled throughout the dough before baking to create pockets of fruity, jammy goodness in each bite.
Calories in each main ingredient
To determine the total calories in a raspberry cheesecake cookie, we’ll need to look at the calorie counts for each of the main ingredients:
All-purpose flour: Approximately 400 calories per cup
Butter: Approximately 100 calories per tablespoon
Granulated sugar: Approximately 200 calories per 1/4 cup
Brown sugar: Approximately 220 calories per 1/4 cup
Eggs: Approximately 70 calories per large egg
Cream cheese: Approximately 100 calories per ounce
Raspberry jam: Approximately 55 calories per tablespoon
These values can vary between brands, but this provides a general idea of how many calories are in the basic components of the cookies.
Calorie count for raspberry cheesecake cookie dough
Now let’s look at a typical recipe for raspberry cheesecake cookies and analyze the calorie count in a single serving of dough:
Example recipe
Cookie dough ingredients:
- 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour (500 calories)
- 8 tbsp butter, softened (800 calories)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (200 calories)
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (220 calories)
- 2 large eggs (140 calories)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (10 calories)
- 1⁄4 tsp salt (0 calories)
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened (400 calories)
Jam swirl:
- 1⁄4 cup raspberry jam (220 calories)
Total per batch:
Flour: 500 calories
Butter: 800 calories
Sugars: 420 calories
Eggs: 140 calories
Vanilla: 10 calories
Cream cheese: 400 calories
Jam: 220 calories
Total: 2,490 calories
This recipe makes approximately 24 cookies. To determine the calories per cookie:
Total calories per batch: 2,490
Number of cookies per batch: 24
2,490 / 24 = ~104 calories per cookie from the dough alone.
Calories in raspberry jam swirl
In addition to the dough, each cookie has a swirl of raspberry jam. If we estimate about 1 tsp (5g) of jam per cookie, that’s about 28 calories.
So in total:
– Dough: 104 calories
– Jam: 28 calories
Total calories per cookie: 132
The raspberry cheesecake cookie dough itself contains around 104 calories per cookie. When you add in the swirl of jam, the total calories comes out to about 132 calories per large cookie.
This calorie count is for the dough alone without factors like egg wash or sprinkles on top. Any additional decorative elements could increase the calorie count slightly.
Calorie count compared to other desserts
Now that we know a raspberry cheesecake cookie has approximately 132 calories, how does that compare to other popular sweet treats and desserts?
Cookies
Chocolate chip cookie | 138 calories |
Oatmeal raisin cookie | 130 calories |
Peanut butter cookie | 90 calories |
Snickerdoodle cookie | 145 calories |
The raspberry cheesecake cookie has a similar calorie count to many classic cookie flavors. It’s higher in calories than a basic peanut butter cookie, but lower than a richer snickerdoodle.
Cakes and pies
Slice of apple pie | 296 calories |
Slice of pumpkin pie | 323 calories |
Slice of chocolate cake with frosting | 365 calories |
Slice of carrot cake with frosting | 327 calories |
Slice of cheesecake | 270 calories |
The cookie comes in significantly lower than a slice of pie, cake, or cheesecake. The portion size is smaller than these desserts which contributes to the lower calorie count.
Ice cream
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream | 137 calories |
1/2 cup chocolate ice cream | 180 calories |
1/2 cup strawberry ice cream | 114 calories |
Ice cream and the raspberry cheesecake cookie are neck-and-neck when you compare 1/2 cup portion sizes. The cookie has more calories than light strawberry ice cream but less than premium chocolate ice cream.
Other sweets
1 glazed donut | 190 calories |
1 slice of raspberry swirl cheesecake | 270 calories |
1 brownie | 130 calories |
10 jelly beans | 70 calories |
Compared to other sweet treats like donuts, brownies, and candy, the raspberry cheesecake cookie is fairly average in its calorie content. It has fewer calories than a rich glazed donut but more than a tiny serving of 10 jelly beans. The cheesecake cookie has significantly fewer calories than a slice of raspberry swirl cheesecake.
Tips for enjoying raspberry cheesecake cookies while managing calories
Raspberry cheesecake cookies certainly aren’t a low-calorie health food, however, there are still ways to enjoy these sweet treats while maintaining a balanced diet:
- Stick to a single cookie as a dessert rather than eating multiple in one sitting
- Share the cookies with friends or family so you don’t overindulge
- Savor each bite thoroughly so you feel satisfied with less
- Drink water with your cookie to help fill up
- Fit the cookie into your daily calorie allotment by balancing it out with lighter meals
- Substitute with a lower-calorie dessert on some days like fresh fruit
- Bake a healthier version using lower-fat and lower-sugar ingredients
While raspberry cheesecake cookies aren’t exactly diet food, enjoying them in moderation can be part of an overall balanced approach to eating. Paying attention to portion sizes and finding ways to lighten the recipe can let you have your cheesecake cookie and eat it too!
Nutritional benefits of ingredients
Despite the high calorie and sugar content, the ingredients in a raspberry cheesecake cookie also provide some nutritional value:
Flour
- Source of B vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, and folate
- Provides trace minerals like iron and magnesium
- High in carbohydrates which give the body energy
Butter
- Contains healthy fats including saturated and monounsaturated fats
- Rich in fat-soluble vitamins like A, E, K2 and D
Sugar
- Quick source of glucose for energy
- Triggers release of serotonin, endorphin, and dopamine to boost mood
Eggs
- High in protein for building and repairing muscle tissue
- Contains antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health
- Provides vitamin D, selenium, B12, and other nutrients
Cream Cheese
- High in calcium for bone health
- Contains vitamin A for immune function
- Good source of protein and fat
Raspberries
- Rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants
- Contain manganese for bone health and metabolism
- May help reduce inflammation
So in moderation, the cookie can provide small amounts of beneficial nutrients from its ingredient components. Just don’t expect a raspberry cheesecake cookie to take the place of complete meals with fruits, veggies, protein and whole grains. Enjoy it for the occasional treat that it is!
Conclusion
A raspberry cheesecake cookie contains approximately 132 calories per cookie. This calorie count is based on a typical recipe that uses flour, butter, sugars, eggs, cream cheese, and raspberry jam. It falls in line with the calorie content of many other popular cookies and desserts.
While not a diet food, raspberry cheesecake cookies can be enjoyed occasionally as part of a balanced diet. Stick to a single cookie serving and savor every bite. Be mindful of portion sizes and balance them out with nutritious meals and light snacks. With a little moderation and planning, you can satisfy your sweet tooth while still meeting your nutritional needs. So next time a raspberry cheesecake cookie craving strikes, there’s no need to feel guilty indulging in one or two. Just enjoy every morsel and make sure to complement your treat with plenty of healthy eats for your body.