The holiday season is all about indulgent treats, and these Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies are the perfect festive dessert! With the warm, spicy flavors of gingerbread and the creamy tang of cheesecake, these cookies are a delicious twist on two classic holiday favorites. They’re soft, chewy, and perfectly spiced, making them a must-have for your holiday baking.
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Cookie Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
For Rolling:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Prepare the Gingerbread Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. The dough will be thick. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and mix until combined. Set aside.
Form the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon for rolling the cookies.
- Take a small scoop of the gingerbread dough (about 1 tbsp) and flatten it slightly in your hands. Place about ½ tsp of the cheesecake filling in the center, then fold the edges of the dough around the filling, rolling it into a ball. Roll the dough ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
- Repeat with the remaining dough and filling, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart.
Bake the Cookies:
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until they are set around the edges but still soft in the center. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Serve and Enjoy!
- Once the cookies are fully cooled, enjoy them with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa for the perfect holiday treat!
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Prep Time: 45 minutes (includes chilling time for dough)
Total Time: 1 hour (including cooling time)
These Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies are a holiday favorite that will quickly become a staple in your festive baking collection. Soft and chewy on the outside with a creamy cheesecake center, they offer a delightful combination of flavors that everyone will love. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or preparing cookies for a holiday party, these are sure to be a hit!