Cheesecake Cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make the filling:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, add the cream cheese and sugar and beat on medium speed with an electric mix together until well blended.
2. Add the egg yolk, sour cream, vanilla extract and salt and continue mixing until everything is evenly mixed.
3. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Make the cookies:

1. In a medium bowl, add the flour and salt and mix to combine.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, add the butter and sugar and beat on medium speed with an electric mixer until creamed together well. (or use the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment).
3. Add in the egg yolk and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
4. Add the flour mixture gradually in ½ cup batches, blending on low speed after each addition, until it is all added. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times.
5. Using a tablespoon sized cookie scoop, scoop dough and roll into balls and place on the prepared cookie sheet.
6. Using the back of a teaspoon measuring spoon, your finger or the handle of a wooden spoon, gently press a well/hole into the center of each dough ball.
7. Bake for 10 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven, carefully press in the center of each cookie again and fill with the cream cheese filling.
9. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the filling has set.
10. After removing from the oven, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.