1. Preheat the Oven:

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. Make the Cookie Dough:

   – In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

   – In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).

   – Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until combined.

   – Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated. Don’t over-mix.

   – Refrigerate the cookie dough for about 30 minutes to firm it up.

3. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:

   – In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.

   – Add the vanilla extract and flour, mixing until fully combined. The filling should be thick but spreadable.

4. Assemble the Cookies:

   – Scoop about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough and roll it into a ball.

   – Flatten the dough ball slightly with your fingers, then scoop a teaspoon of the cheesecake filling and place it in the center.

   – Gently fold the edges of the cookie dough around the cheesecake filling, sealing it inside. Roll it into a ball again and place it on the prepared baking sheet.

   – Repeat this process until all the dough and filling are used.

5. Bake the Cookies:

   – Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden but the center is still soft.

   – Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Serve and Enjoy!

   – Once cooled, your cheesecake cookies are ready to be served! They will be soft, chewy, and creamy with every bite.