Ingredients
– ½ cup unsalted butter – Provides richness and structure to the gingerbread cookie dough, ensuring a tender crumb.
– ½ cup brown sugar – Adds moisture and deep caramel notes that complement the molasses in these cheesecake cookies.
– ¼ cup molasses – Delivers the signature bold, spicy flavor central to gingerbread cheesecakes.
– 1 egg – Binds the dough for mini cheesecakes, contributing lift and tenderness.
– 2 cups all-purpose flour – Forms the base of the cookie, giving chewiness to these holiday cookies.
– 1 tsp baking soda – Helps the dough rise for light, airy mini gingerbread cheesecake cookies.
– 1½ tsp ground ginger – The star spice that defines the warm, festive profile of these Christmas cookies.
– 1 tsp cinnamon – Boosts sweetness and aroma, pairing perfectly with the cheesecake filling.
– ¼ tsp ground cloves – Adds a subtle, pungent depth to enhance gingerbread cookies.
– ¼ tsp salt – Balances sweetness and sharpens flavors in the dough.
– 8 oz softened cream cheese – Creates the creamy, tangy heart of each mini cheesecake cookie.
– ¼ cup granulated sugar – Sweetens the filling without overpowering the spices.
– 1 egg yolk – Thickens the cheesecake mix for a smooth, set center.
– ½ tsp vanilla extract – Rounds out flavors with a hint of warmth in these no bake-like mini cheesecakes.
Instructions
1-First Step: Cream ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup brown sugar, and ¼ cup molasses in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 1 egg and mix well. This builds the flavorful base for your gingerbread cookies.
2-Second Step: In another bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1½ tsp ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp cloves, and ¼ tsp salt. Gradually stir dry mix into wet until a dough forms. For gluten-free, use the blend here. Chill dough 30 minutes to firm up.
3-Third Step: Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, 1 egg yolk, and ½ tsp vanilla until smooth, 1-2 minutes. For low-calorie, use light cream cheese. Spoon into a piping bag or zip-top for easy filling.
4-Fourth Step: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, place 2 inches apart. Press thumbprint into each center. Fill indents with 1 tsp cheesecake mix. Vegan tip: Use plant-based filling.
5-Fifth Step: Bake 10-12 minutes until edges firm and set. Centers will look soft but firm on cooling. Cool on sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to rack. Full cooling takes 30 minutes as cheesecake sets.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🌡️ Keep the cream cheese filling cold while preparing cookies to prevent it from becoming too runny
⏰ Don’t overfill the cookie centers – the cheesecake filling will expand slightly during baking
🍪 For extra flavor, add a pinch of black pepper to the gingerbread dough for authentic gingerbread spice depth
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Chilling Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 mini cookies
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
