Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies: 10 Magical Cozy Treats

If there were ever a cookie that deserved a standing ovation, Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies would be it. These little holiday gems wrap everything we adore about Christmas—warm spices, soft chewy centers, and creamy cheesecake—into one blissfully indulgent bite. And if you’re anything like most of the incredible women who visit Chicken Magic Recipes (busy, brilliant, and juggling approximately 47 things at once), this recipe will feel like the cozy, low-stress treat you’ve been craving.

Whether you’re whipping up a dessert for a cookie exchange, treating your family after dinner, or just needing a sweet moment of peace between emails, Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies slide in as the hero of your holiday season.

Why You’ll Love These Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies

Let’s be honest—December tends to run at the pace of a caffeinated reindeer. But these cookies? They are your calm in the Christmas storm. Soft and chewy on the outside, creamy at the center, and full of that nostalgic gingerbread flavor, they’re a holiday dessert that looks fancy but feels effortless.

If you’re a fan of rich, slightly tangy cheesecake and comforting gingerbread spice, this recipe is the sweet spot where those two worlds collide. Plus, the hidden cheesecake center? It’s like your cookie is giving you a little hug.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll gather to bring these cookies to life. Nothing wild or hard to find—just good, classic baking staples with holiday flair.

For the Cheesecake Filling

• Cream Cheese – brings that dreamy center
• Granulated White Sugar – adds sweetness and smoothness
• Vanilla – deepens flavor (vanilla bean paste if you’re feeling fancy)

For the Gingerbread Cookie Dough

• Unsalted Butter – softened to room temperature for easy mixing
• Brown Sugar – keeps your cookies chewy and rich
• Molasses – the heart of every gingerbread recipe
• Egg Yolks – room temperature for better texture
• Vanilla – more flavor (because why not?)
• All-Purpose Flour – just the right amount for structure
• Baking Soda – for lift
• Salt – to bring out all the warm notes
• Spices – ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves (aka: the holiday dream team)

For the Spiced Sugar Coating

• Granulated White Sugar + More Spices – that warm, sparkly finishing touch

Refer to the recipe card below for precise ingredient measurements.

How to Make Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies

These cookies come together in two simple parts: the cheesecake centers and the gingerbread dough. It may look a little extra, but trust me—it’s much easier than it sounds. If you can mix and roll cookie dough, you’re golden.

STEP 1 : Make the Creamy Cheesecake Centers

Start by grabbing a small mixing bowl. Add your cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Then grab an electric mixer and beat everything until it’s soft, fluffy, and smooth—about two minutes.

Scoop out 18 little cheesecake balls (2 teaspoons each) and place them on a parchment-lined tray. Pop that tray into the freezer. These need to freeze completely so they don’t melt inside the oven. Frozen centers = perfect cookies.

STEP 2 : Mix Your Gingerbread Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and all your holiday spices. Your kitchen will smell amazing already.

Set the bowl aside for now.

STEP 3 : Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl (or stand mixer), beat your softened butter and brown sugar together until fluffy—about two minutes. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides. Brown sugar and butter are clingy.

STEP 4 : Add the Wet Ingredients

Mix in your egg yolks, molasses, and vanilla. Blend on medium for a minute. The mixture will turn dark, smooth, and beautifully fragrant.

STEP 5 : Bring the Dough Together

Slowly add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Keep the mixer on low so you don’t create a holiday flour explosion. Mix just until combined.

STEP 6 : Assemble the Cookies

Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to form 18 dough portions. Roll each one into a ball, flatten it slightly, and place a frozen cheesecake ball inside. Wrap the dough around the center—think of it like a tiny cookie blanket—and roll it smooth again.

Then roll each finished dough ball in spiced sugar. This step makes them sparkle like they’re headed to a Christmas party.

STEP 7 : Bake and Cool

Place six cookies at a time on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until the tops are set and lightly crackled.

Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack. Then? Pour yourself a coffee or hot cocoa and enjoy the fruits of your holiday magic.

Tips for Perfect Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies

• Don’t skip freezing the cheesecake balls. If they’re soft, they’ll ooze out of the cookie like a cheese-filled volcano. (Delicious? Yes. Pretty? No.)
• Use room-temperature butter and egg yolks. This helps the dough mix evenly and keeps your cookies tender.
• If your dough feels sticky, a quick chill in the fridge can help. But usually the molasses makes it feel softer—that’s normal!
• Roll generously in spiced sugar. It’s the holiday season. We’re leaning into sparkle.

And don’t panic if the cookie dough cracks slightly around the cheesecake center—it bakes up beautifully.

A Little Story From My Kitchen

The first time I made these Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies, I brought a batch to a family gathering. Before dinner was even served, three were mysteriously missing. I looked around—and there were my kids, crumbs on their faces, busted.

That’s when I knew these cookies were destined to be a holiday tradition. They’ve been a favorite ever since—and now they’re part of our Chicken Magic Recipes kitchen family, too.

FAQs About Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies

Bring the Holiday Magic Home

With their soft gingerbread shells and creamy cheesecake surprise, Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies are the kind of treat that turns an ordinary December day into something merry and bright. They smell like comfort, taste like joy, and bring people together—exactly what the holidays are all about.

So whether you’re baking for loved ones, a cookie swap, or just your own sweet tooth (zero judgment here), let these cookies be your go-to this season. Trust me—once they hit the table, they won’t be around for long.

Happy baking, friend—and welcome to the warm, delicious world of Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies.

Craving More Cozy Holiday Recipes?

If these Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies brought a little extra warmth and joy to your kitchen, you’re going to love these other festive favorites! They’re cozy, comforting, and perfect for rounding out your holiday menu—whether you’re hosting family, planning a Christmas movie night, or just sneaking in a sweet treat after the kids go to bed.

• Keep the holiday magic going with a batch of gooey, melt-in-your-mouth treats like these irresistible Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies. They practically taste like Christmas morning.
• Want something fun, festive, and kid-approved? Whip up a bowl of Reindeer Food—a playful holiday snack that’s perfect for parties, gifting, or midnight munching with Rudolph.
• If you’re in the mood for something comforting and hearty, snuggle up with a bowl of Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice Soup—it’s the kind of cozy that feels like a blanket in a bowl.
• And for a savory bite that never fails to impress, these Christmas Stuffed Mushrooms make the cutest holiday appetizer and pair beautifully with any dessert spread.

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