Creating Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies is straightforward when you follow these easy steps:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
4. Add Vanilla and Egg: Mix in the vanilla extract and egg until well combined.
5. Incorporate Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese to the mixture and blend until smooth.
6. Combine Mixtures: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
7. Fold in Blueberries: Gently fold in the fresh blueberries and lemon zest if using, being careful not to smash the berries.
8. Scoop Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
9. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers look set.
10. Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

With these steps, you’ll have a batch of Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies ready to enjoy in no time!