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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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