If you love the cozy flavors of the holidays but want something a little extra special, you’re going to adore this Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies combine the spicy warmth of gingerbread with a creamy cheesecake center that melts in your mouth. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how perfectly the flavors came together—my family goes crazy for these, especially during the festive season! So, stick around because I’m going to share all my favorite tips to help you nail this cookie masterpiece in your own kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Gingerbread Meets Cheesecake: The perfect balance of spicy cookie and luscious creamy filling creates a one-of-a-kind treat.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can freeze the cheesecake centers in advance, making your baking day easier and less stressful.
Show-Stopping Presentation: Rolling the cookies in spiced sugar gives them a magical sparkle and extra flavor kick.
Family Favorite: These cookies always disappear fast and get rave reviews from both kids and adults.

The image shows a close-up of a group of soft ginger cookies with a light sugar coating, arranged on a white marbled surface. In the center, one cookie is bitten, showing a cream filling inside with a smooth white texture. Around these cookies are small gingerbread man cookies decorated with white icing for faces and buttons. A red and green plaid ribbon weaves through the cookies, adding a festive touch, and a small shiny red ornament ball is placed near the top left corner. The overall colors are warm browns from the cookies and bright reds and greens from the ribbon and ornament. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies, holiday cookies with gingerbread and cheesecake, festive cookie recipes, easy gingerbread cookies, creamy cheesecake cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work together beautifully to deliver that signature gingerbread flavor with a creamy cheesecake surprise. Pro tip: use fresh spices for the best flavor, especially since they play such a starring role here!

Flat lay of a small block of cold cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated white sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves mixed together, a mound of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with baking soda and salt beside it, a chunk of softened unsalted butter, a heap of packed light brown sugar, two whole uncracked brown egg yolks, a small white ceramic bowl of dark unsulphured molasses, and a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract, arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies, holiday cookies with gingerbread and cheesecake, festive cookie recipes, easy gingerbread cookies, creamy cheesecake cookies

Cream Cheese: Make sure it’s cold for the filling—it whips up better and holds its shape after freezing.
Granulated White Sugar: Used both in the filling and the spiced sugar coating for just the right amount of sweetness.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the cheesecake filling and dough.
Ground Spices (Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cloves): Freshly ground if possible—these are the true heart of the gingerbread flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: Spoon and level for accuracy to keep cookies tender yet sturdy enough to hold the cheesecake filling.
Salt and Baking Soda: Essential for balance and the right rise in the cookies.
Unsalted Butter: Softened for the dough, it gives richness without extra salt.
Light Brown Sugar: Provides moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that complements the molasses used too.
Egg Yolks: They add richness and help bind the dough perfectly.
Unsulphured Molasses: This is a must for authentic gingerbread flavor with its deep, slightly smoky notes.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe is so adaptable. Over time, I’ve tried a few twists that keep these cookies feeling fresh and personal—feel free to make them your own!

Adding Chopped Pecans or Walnuts: I like to toss some toasted nuts into the dough for a lovely crunch that complements the creamy filling.
Using Maple Syrup Instead of Molasses: For a slightly sweeter and lighter gingerbread, swapping molasses with maple syrup works beautifully.
Dairy-Free Version: Try vegan cream cheese and plant-based butter—just note the texture will be a bit different but still delicious.
Spice It Up More: If you like your gingerbread on the spicy side, feel free to increase the ginger or add a pinch of black pepper for warmth.

How to Make Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up That Creamy Cheesecake Filling

Start by mixing the cold cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until it’s fluffy and smooth—this only takes about 2 minutes with an electric mixer. This part is key because you want the filling silky but firm enough to hold its shape once frozen. After mixing, scoop small balls (about 2 teaspoons each) onto a parchment-lined sheet and pop them in the freezer. Trust me, freezing them first makes the cookie assembly much easier and avoids any leakage during baking.

Step 2: Mix and Prepare the Spiced Sugar Coating

While your cheesecake filling chills, whisk together the sugar and all those cozy ground spices in a bowl. This mixture is what you’ll roll the cookies in to give them that extra sparkle and a nice punch of flavor. I like to make a bit extra because it’s so tasty, and it also makes the cookies look really festive.

Step 3: Make the Classic Gingerbread Cookie Dough

The dough starts with the dry ingredients—flour, spices, baking soda, and salt—duly whisked and set aside. Then, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until it’s fluffy, scraping down the bowl a couple of times to make sure everything is well mixed. Next, add in the egg yolks, molasses, and vanilla extract, and beat on medium speed until it’s light and airy. This fluffy dough is the perfect base to wrap around the frozen cheesecake balls.

Step 4: Assemble Your Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies

Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough, then flatten each piece slightly. Place a frozen cheesecake ball in the center of that dough disc and carefully wrap the dough all around, rolling it gently into a ball so the cheesecake is fully enclosed. Next, roll the dough balls in the spiced sugar to coat. The trick is to keep your cheesecake balls frozen until the last minute, so they don’t melt into the dough before baking.

Step 5: Baking Perfection

Place the prepared cookie balls on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake 6 at a time for 11 to 12 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven. Watch that golden edge—they should remain soft but set enough to handle. Let them cool for 10 minutes on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling time helps the cookies finish setting without losing that creamy center.

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Pro Tips for Making Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Freeze the Cheesecake Filling: Don’t skip freezing—this prevents the filling from melting too much and helps keep the cookie structure intact during baking.
Use Room Temperature Egg Yolks: They incorporate more easily, making your dough fluffy and smooth.
Don’t Overbake: These cookies are best when soft and tender—you want to stop baking as soon as edges turn lightly golden.
Work in Batches: Keep unbaked dough chilled in the fridge while baking to maintain cookie shape and texture.

How to Serve Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

A stack of four round cinnamon cookies with a rough, slightly cracked surface covered in sugar crystals stands in the center of the image. The top cookie has a bite showing a soft, white creamy filling inside. Around the stack, there are more cookies with the same warm brown color and sugared texture. A green, red, and gold plaid ribbon runs diagonally across the bottom right corner, adding a festive touch. The background has a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies, holiday cookies with gingerbread and cheesecake, festive cookie recipes, easy gingerbread cookies, creamy cheesecake cookies

Garnishes

I tend to keep these cookies simple but elegant with just the spiced sugar coating—that sparkle alone makes them look stunning! Sometimes, if I want to get fancy, I’ll lightly dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle melted white chocolate. The contrast of the creamy white drizzles over the warm spiced sugar looks like a winter wonderland on your cookie plate.

Side Dishes

These cookies are a star on their own, but I love pairing them with a cup of rich hot cocoa or chai tea for a cozy snack. Around the holidays, they also go great alongside a simple vanilla bean ice cream or even a spiced apple cider to complement the gingerbread flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I’ve arranged these cookies on a beautiful platter lined with evergreen sprigs and tiny cinnamon sticks for that festive touch. You could also stack them in a clear jar tied with a rustic ribbon to gift to friends—they make such a thoughtful, homemade holiday present.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep well for about 3 days without losing that soft texture, but I have to warn you—they rarely last that long in my house! Lining the container with parchment paper between layers helps prevent sticking.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these cookies, I recommend freezing them individually on a tray first, then transferring them to a sealed freezer bag or container. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature before serving, and they taste almost as fresh-baked as the first day.

Reheating

I like to warm these cookies slightly before eating, especially if they’ve been in the fridge or freezer. Just 10-15 seconds in the microwave makes the cheesecake center extra melty and the spices pop. But be careful not to heat too long—you want them warm, not meltdown disasters!

FAQs

Can I use regular cream cheese instead of cold cream cheese for the filling?

While you can use room temperature cream cheese, I strongly recommend starting with cold cream cheese for this recipe. Cold cream cheese whips up better into a fluffy filling that holds its shape during freezing and baking, preventing the filling from melting too quickly inside the cookie.
What’s the best way to prevent the cheesecake center from leaking out during baking?

Freezing the cheesecake balls until very firm before wrapping them in dough is key. Also, ensure the dough completely encloses the cheesecake with no gaps. Baking the cookies at the right temperature and not overbaking also helps keep the filling nicely contained within.
Can I make these cookies ahead for a party?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cheesecake filling and freeze it days ahead. Dough can be made in advance as well, then assembled and baked on party day. Or bake cookies ahead and store them in an airtight container—they’ll stay fresh all day, perfect for entertaining.
How spicy are these Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies?

They have a warm, balanced spice flavor that isn’t overpowering—perfect for most palates. If you like bigger spice punch, you can easily add extra ground ginger or cinnamon. I’ve found my family prefers the moderate spice level since the creamy filling mellows it out nicely.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart—and on my holiday cookie trays. There’s something so comforting about the marriage of gingerbread warmth and cheesecake creaminess that makes these cookies irresistible. I recommend you try this recipe exactly as I’ve shared it; once you do, I think you’ll be hooked just like me. Treat yourself, your family, or your friends to these melt-in-your-mouth delights—you deserve it! I can’t wait to hear how yours turn out.