Jolly Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic

These delightful gingerbread cheesecake cookies blend festive spices with creamy richness.

Warm cinnamon and zesty ginger dance through a classic holiday gingerbread cheesecake cookie that melts in your mouth.

Each bite carries a perfect balance of sweet and spicy notes.

Soft, pillowy textures complement the rich cream cheese filling nestled inside these charming treats.

Bakers adore how simple yet impressive these cookies appear on a holiday dessert platter.

Crafted with love, these cookies promise to become an instant seasonal favorite at any gathering.

Prepare to delight everyone with this irresistible festive cookie that captures the essence of winter celebrations.

Presenting Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Beautifully

• Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange the gingerbread cheesecake cookies on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary and dusted with powdered sugar for a stunning seasonal presentation.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday gifting to neighbors, teachers, or friends.
• Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve alongside a warm mug of spiced chai tea or creamy hot chocolate to complement the gingerbread's rich, warming flavors and create a cozy winter moment.
• Elegant Dessert Display: Garnish cookies with a light drizzle of white chocolate and sprinkle of ground cinnamon for an extra touch of sophistication that elevates the treat's visual appeal.

Keep These Cookies Fresh and Tasty

• These cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 weeks, making them perfect for advance preparation and spontaneous dessert cravings.
• Refrigerate the completed cookies in a sealed container for 5-7 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their delicate texture and rich flavors.
• Allow cookies to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften the cream cheese filling and enhance their creamy consistency.
• Prepare the cheesecake filling and freeze the small dollops up to a week in advance, saving time and simplifying your baking process when you're ready to complete the cookies.

FAQs

• What gives these cookies their gingerbread flavor?

The combination of ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and molasses creates the classic gingerbread taste, reminiscent of traditional holiday spices.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cheesecake filling and freeze the dollops in advance. Once frozen, you can store them in an airtight container until ready to use in the cookie recipe.

• Are these cookies difficult to make?

Not at all! These cookies are surprisingly simple to prepare, with basic ingredients and straightforward steps that even novice bakers can easily follow.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these cookies?

You’ll just need basic baking tools like a mixing bowl, baking sheet, parchment paper, and a standard mixer or whisk to create these delicious gingerbread cheesecake cookies.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 37 minutes

Calories: 140 kcal

Servings: 24

What Goes into Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies

• Cream Cheese: Smooth base for luscious cheesecake centers, select full-fat variety for richest flavor and creamiest texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps stabilize filling, choose fine-ground for seamless blending.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances depth and warmth, opt for pure extract over artificial for genuine flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational ingredient providing structure and tender crumb to cookies.
• Baking Soda: Creates light, soft texture by helping dough rise and spread evenly.
• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Signature spice blend delivering classic gingerbread warmth and aromatic complexity.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, deep caramel undertones, and helps cookies maintain soft, chewy consistency.
• Molasses: Intensifies gingerbread flavor, contributes rich, dark color and distinctive sweetness.

• Egg: Provides structure, moisture, and helps bind ingredients together seamlessly.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich flavor and tender texture, use room temperature for easy mixing.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.

Tools for Making Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies

• Electric mixer or whisk: Essential for blending cream cheese mixture until silky smooth.
• Small mixing bowl: Perfect for combining cheesecake filling ingredients.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and helps freeze cheesecake dollops easily.
• Baking sheet or plate: Provides flat surface for freezing cheesecake portions.
• Teaspoon or small cookie scoop: Helps measure precise cheesecake filling amounts.
• Freezer: Chills and sets cheesecake mixture for easy cookie assembly.

Bake Your Gingerbread Cookies with Cheesecake Magic

• Create Cheesecake Filling

Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until silky smooth, creating a dreamy base for your decadent cookies.

• Freeze Cheesecake Dollops

Drop tiny portions of the creamy mixture onto a parchment-lined surface, then pop them into the freezer for a quick 30-minute chill to help them set perfectly.

• Prepare Cookie Dough

Mix gingerbread ingredients until you have a rich, fragrant dough that captures the warm essence of holiday spices.

• Wrap Cheesecake Centers

Carefully encase each frozen cheesecake dollop inside a soft gingerbread cookie dough ball, ensuring the creamy center is completely hidden.

• Shape and Bake

Gently roll each stuffed dough ball, place on a baking sheet, and slide into a preheated oven. Bake until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown.

• Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few moments, then transfer to a wire rack. The result? Mouthwatering gingerbread cookies with a surprise cheesecake heart that’ll make taste buds dance.

Cookie Adjustments Worth Trying

• Chilling the cheesecake centers beforehand ensures they stay intact during baking and create a delightful creamy surprise inside each cookie.
• Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities, maintaining the same delicious gingerbread flavor.
• Prepare the cheesecake centers up to 2 days in advance and store them in the freezer, saving time and making party prep a breeze.
• Adjust the ground ginger and cinnamon quantities to suit your taste preferences – less for mild flavor, more for a bold, warming spice profile.
• Replace cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and use vegan butter to create a delectable cookie that accommodates dairy-free diets without sacrificing taste.

Festive Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 37 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Festive gingerbread cheesecake cookies blend classic holiday spices with creamy cheesecake essence. Rich cookie dough promises delightful seasonal indulgence that will satisfy sweet cravings with warmth and comfort.

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Ingredients

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• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (110 g) brown sugar, packed
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups (560 ml) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (50 g) granulated sugar (for rolling)
• 1 ½ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare Cheesecake Centers: Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth, creating uniform dollops on a parchment-lined surface. Freeze for 30 minutes to solidify and maintain shape.
2. Develop Gingerbread Dough: Blend room-temperature ingredients with warm spices like ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg to create a rich, aromatic cookie base that complements the creamy filling.
3. Assemble Cookies: Carefully encase each frozen cheesecake center with a thin layer of gingerbread dough, completely sealing the creamy core. Gently shape into uniform balls, ensuring a smooth exterior and preventing filling leakage.
4. Bake to Perfection: Position cookies on a baking sheet with adequate spacing. Roast in a preheated oven until the gingerbread exterior transforms into a deep golden brown with a delicate surface crackle, indicating ideal doneness.
5. Finishing Touches: Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Optionally, enhance with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar or a graceful vanilla glaze to elevate visual appeal and add a subtle sweetness.

Notes

• Chill Cream Cheese Mixture: Freezing cheesecake centers ensures stable filling and prevents leakage during baking, creating perfect cookie consistency.
• Spice Balance Matters: Use freshly ground spices for robust gingerbread flavor, adjusting quantities to personal taste preference without overwhelming the delicate cheesecake center.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow cream cheese, eggs, and butter to reach room temperature for smoother mixing and better integration, preventing lumpy texture.
• Gentle Wrapping Technique: Handle cookie dough gently when encasing cheesecake centers, using light pressure to avoid cracking or breaking the delicate exterior.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg