Name: Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 oz cream cheese, cold; 3 tbsp granulated white sugar; 1/2 tsp vanilla; 6 tbsp granulated white sugar; 1/2 tsp ground ginger; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/8 tsp ground allspice; 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/8 tsp ground cloves; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 2 1/2 tsp ground ginger; 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/4 tsp ground allspice; 1/4 tsp ground cloves; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed; 2 egg yolks, at room temperature; 1 tsp vanilla; 1/3 cup unsulphured molasses

There's nothing quite like the warm, cozy spices of gingerbread combined with a luscious, creamy surprise inside. The Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe brings these two delights together in every bite — soft, spicy cookies encasing a sweet cheesecake center that melts on your tongue. It's one of those treats you'll want to whip up again and again, especially as the seasons turn chillier.

The image shows a stack of four soft ginger cookies, each broken in half to reveal a creamy white filling inside. The cookies are thick with a slightly cracked surface and a warm brown color, with a soft and chewy texture around the creamy center. The stack is placed on a light brown surface with white marbled texture, surrounded by whole cookies and festive decorations including a red and green plaid ribbon and small gingerbread figures in the blurred background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my baking repertoire because it combines two favorites: festive gingerbread and silky cheesecake. Once you taste these, you'll understand why I keep coming back to bake a fresh batch for family and friends.

Unique Flavor Fusion: The gingerbread spices perfectly balance the creamy cheesecake center, creating a cookie that feels both classic and indulgent.
Soft, Tender Texture: These aren’t your typical crunchy cookies — they’re delightfully soft and chewy, making them perfect for savoring with tea or coffee.
Fun to Make: I love that you get to freeze and wrap cheesecake balls inside cookie dough—it’s a playful process that makes baking feel a little festive and rewarding.
Show-Stopping Presentation: The spiced sugar coating adds sparkle and a little crunch, making these cookies irresistible at any holiday gathering.

The image shows a pile of round brown cookies with a sugar sprinkle on top, each having a slightly cracked and textured surface. Mixed in among these cookies are two small gingerbread men decorated with white icing, showing smiles, buttons, and zigzag lines on arms and legs. There is a red and green plaid ribbon weaving through the cookies, along with a small red glittery ornament ball and a gold shiny ornament ball near the top. All items rest on brown parchment paper over a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in the Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe has its role, working harmoniously to deliver the perfect bite. The warm spices create that classic gingerbread flavor, while cream cheese adds a luscious, tangy softness that makes these cookies stand out. Here’s what I recommend paying attention to when shopping and prepping:

Flat lay of a block of cold cream cheese beside a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated white sugar, a small white bowl holding rich dark molasses, a few whole light brown eggs with clean shells, a mound of soft unsalted butter, a heap of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl with a golden light brown sugar, a small white bowl with a warm-toned blend of ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves, and a tiny white bowl containing fine baking soda, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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

Cream Cheese: Use cold cream cheese for the filling to make it easier to whip into a fluffy, smooth texture and help it hold its shape when frozen.
Spices (Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cloves): Freshly ground spices always pack the most punch in flavor, but pre-ground works fine if fresh isn't available.
Unsulphured Molasses: This gives the cookies that rich, deep gingerbread character—look for molasses labeled "unsulphured" for the best taste.
All-Purpose Flour: Spoon and level the flour for accuracy, so the dough isn’t too dense or dry.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel sweetness that complements the spices beautifully.
Egg Yolks: Using yolks gives the dough richness and helps the cookies stay tender.

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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.

Make It Your Way

I like to mix things up with this Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe depending on the occasion. Trying different add-ins or tweaks can make the recipe feel fresh every time you bake it. Don’t hesitate to experiment to find your favorite twist.

Variation: One fun spin I tried was adding chopped crystallized ginger to the cookie dough for extra gingery bursts—totally yum and it added a nice chew.
Dietary Swap: For a dairy-free version, you can use vegan cream cheese and dairy-free butter substitutes; just note the texture will be a bit different but still tasty.
Seasonal Twist: Around the holidays, I sprinkle a little extra festive edible glitter or colored sanding sugar on top for that special sparkle.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Cheesecake Filling

Start by mixing cold cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until it’s fluffy and silky smooth—about two minutes on a medium-high speed with an electric mixer does the trick. Then, scoop the filling into small 2-teaspoon portions onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Pop them in the freezer until they’re solid—this step is crucial to keep the cheesecake from melting too much during baking.

Step 2: Prepare the Spiced Sugar Coating

While the cheesecake balls are chilling, whisk together sugar with ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. This mixture adds that extra festive warmth and crunch on the outside of the cookies, making every bite even more delightful.

Step 3: Make the Gingerbread Cookie Dough

Combine flour, spices, baking soda, and salt in a bowl—this is your dry mix. Separately, cream together softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then mix in egg yolks, molasses, and vanilla until the batter is well combined and airy. Finally, add the dry ingredients on low speed just until blended; overmixing can make the cookies tough.

Step 4: Assemble the Cookies

This is the fun part! Divide the dough into 18 equal portions and flatten each slightly. Place a frozen cheesecake ball in the middle, then gently wrap the dough around it, sealing it completely. Roll the ball in your spiced sugar mix, then place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Keep the cheesecake balls frozen until just before assembling each batch so they don’t soften prematurely.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies in a 350°F oven for about 11-12 minutes. You'll know they’re ready when the edges are set but the centers still look soft. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps them set without falling apart.

Top Tip

When I first made this Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe, I learned that the cheesecake needs to stay frozen right up until baking; otherwise, it oozes out and makes a mess. Here are a few tips that helped me nail these every time:

Freeze Cheesecake Balls Properly: Make sure your cheesecake filling is very firm before wrapping in dough—pop them back into the freezer if needed between batches.
Seal Dough Tightly: Close the dough completely around the cheesecake ball—any gaps can cause leakages during baking.
Use Spiced Sugar Generously: Coating each cookie well adds texture and a beautiful aroma that really complements the gingerbread spices.
Don’t Overbake: Cookies that bake too long lose their tender center and cheesecake magic, so keep a close eye on them.

How to Serve Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

gingerbread cheesecake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple—dusting extra powdered sugar or a pinch more of the spiced sugar mixture on top right after baking looks lovely. For holiday occasions, I’ve also sprinkled some finely chopped crystallized ginger or a light drizzle of white chocolate to add a festive touch and extra flavor contrast.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine on their own but pairing them with a hot cup of chai tea or rich coffee really elevates the experience. For parties, I sometimes serve them alongside spiced cider or even a creamy hot chocolate for an indulgent winter treat.

Creative Ways to Present

One time for a holiday gathering, I arranged these cookies on a festive platter lined with cinnamon sticks and orange slices, which added natural aroma and made the presentation pop. You could also stack them with layers of crumpled parchment and tie with twine for gift packaging—instant homemade holiday gifts!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separated by parchment paper sheets to keep them from sticking. They stay soft and fresh for about 3 days—though honestly, they're usually gone by then!

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully. I wrap cooled cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place them inside a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw them overnight in the fridge or for a few hours at room temperature. The cheesecake center stays creamy and the cookie maintains its texture.

Reheating

If you want to warm them up, I gently heat them in a 300°F oven for just 5-7 minutes. This softens the cookies and brings back that fresh-baked feeling without melting the cheesecake filling too much. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t dry out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought gingerbread cookie dough to save time?

While you technically can, I recommend making the gingerbread dough from scratch for this recipe because the spices and texture are key to balancing the cheesecake filling. Store-bought dough might be too sweet or lack the right spice blend.

What’s the best way to prevent cheesecake filling from leaking during baking?

Freezing the cheesecake balls firmly before wrapping them in cookie dough is crucial. Also, make sure you seal the dough tightly all around the cheesecake, leaving no gaps. Baking right after assembling keeps them intact.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cheesecake balls and dough separately in advance, freeze the assembled cookies, then bake them fresh on the day of the party. This way, you keep that fresh-baked texture with less stress.

Is it okay to use regular brown sugar instead of light brown sugar?

Yes, you can use either light or dark brown sugar. Light brown sugar gives a milder caramel note, while dark brown sugar will add deeper molasses flavor. I prefer light brown for a balance that doesn’t overpower the spices.

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe is one of those special treats that feels like a warm hug in cookie form. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just because, these cookies never disappoint. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do, and that they brighten your kitchen and your day with all their cozy, creamy goodness. Trust me, once you bite into one, it’ll quickly become a favorite go-to recipe you'll want to share with everyone you love.