Description
Soft, chewy gingerbread cookies filled with creamy, tangy cheesecake centers and coated in fragrant spiced sugar, combining classic holiday flavors in an elegant festive treat.
Ingredients
Cheesecake Filling
6 oz (170 g) cold cream cheese
3 tbsp (38 g) granulated sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
Spiced Sugar
6 tbsp (75 g) granulated sugar
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp ground allspice
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
⅛ tsp ground cloves
Gingerbread Cookie Dough
2½ cups (313 g) all-purpose flour
2½ tsp ground ginger
2½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground allspice
¼ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
¾ cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (165 g) packed light brown sugar
2 egg yolks, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
⅓ cup (113 g) unsulphured molasses
Instructions
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Prepare filling: Line a small sheet pan with parchment. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth, about 2 minutes. Scoop 18 (2‑tsp) portions onto prepared pan and freeze until firm.
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Make spiced sugar: Mix sugar with spices in a small bowl. Set aside.
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Preheat oven: Set to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment.
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Make dough: Whisk flour, spices, baking soda, and salt in one bowl. In another, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add yolks, vanilla, and molasses; mix 1 minute until smooth. Lower speed and add dry ingredients until combined.
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Assemble cookies: Scoop 18 (2‑tbsp) portions of dough. Flatten each in your hand, place a frozen cheesecake ball in the center, and wrap dough around it completely. Roll smooth and coat in spiced sugar.
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Bake: Arrange 6 cookies per sheet and bake 11–12 minutes until set and crackled. Cool on the pan 10 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Notes
Keep cheesecake centers frozen until wrapping.
Mix spices evenly for balanced flavor.
Avoid overbaking to keep cookies soft and chewy.
Handle dough gently to prevent cracks.
Store airtight up to 5 days or freeze for longer.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (1/18 recipe)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: gingerbread cheesecake cookies, holiday filled cookies, spiced cream cheese cookies, festive gingerbread desserts, soft chewy christmas cookies