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These giant molasses-forward gingerbread cookies are stuffed with cheesecake filling and are sure to make you merry! You will love this new take on an old classic.

A gingerbread cookie cut in half and stacked. the inside of the cookie has a cheesecake filling.

Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies

This is a massive, soft and perfectly spiced, Gingerbread cookie. Oh, and it’s also stuffed with a delicious cheesecake filling that takes it to the next level of holiday cheer. Andddd if that wasn’t enough, it’s also rolled in a mixture of granulated sugar and sanding sugar, so it looks the part. It is decadent and festive and downright freaking amazing. 
I’m not saying that this cookie will get you off of Santa’s naughty list if you happen to be there, but I’m not not saying that either. 

If massive cookies aren’t your vibe, I also have a Mini Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookie recipe for ya.

A stack of stuffed gingerbread cookies with a crinkled exterior.

Ingredients

*Find instructions and exact quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. 

Cheesecake Filling

  • Cream cheese, softened – Use the block of cream cheese, not the spreadable tub cream cheese that you would use for bagels. 
  • Granulated sugar
  • Vanilla – I used Pure Vanilla Extract from my flavoring line. It gives such a nice flavor to the icing! 

Gingerbread Cookie

  • Salted butter, softened – I always use salted butter in my bakes. You can use unsalted butter instead, just add a pinch of salt to the dough. 
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar
  • Molasses – Any brand will do, but I used Grandma’s Original.
  • Egg
  • Vanilla – Again, I used Pure Vanilla Extract here. 
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Ground ginger – Don’t skip this one! It is the star of the flavor profile of these cookies. 
  • Cinnamon – Same as the above! 
  • Salt
  • Granulated sugar + sanding sugar, for rolling – This is technically optional, but I don’t recommend skipping! It adds a delightful layer of flavor and makes the cookies sparkle (!!)
A pile of gingerbread cheesecake cookies on the counter. One cookie is cut in half and stacked.

How to Make Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies

  1. Begin by making the cheesecake filling by whipping the cream cheese until smooth.
  2. Next, add in the sugar and vanilla. Mix until fully incorporated and smooth.
  3. Use a Tablespoon to scoop filling into individual portions and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze while making the dough.
  4. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  5. Make the cookie dough by creaming together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light in color and fluffy in texture. This will take about 2 minutes. 
  6. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add in the molasses, egg, and vanilla. Mix until the mixture no longer looks separated and starts to become fluffy.
  7. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough sticks to your fingers, add additional flour, a Tbsp at a time, until no longer sticky.
  8. Scoop out your dough using a #40 scoop and flatten into a disk. You will use 2 portioned disks for each cookie. 
  9. Working in batches, remove 6 cheesecake dollops from the freezer and place one in the center of a dough disk.
  10. Place a second disk on top to cover the filling and pinch the two disks together with your fingertips. Roll the edges with your fingers to smooth out the pinched seams until a smooth puck forms. 
  11. Roll the cookie in a bowl of granulated sugar mixed with sparkling sugar sprinkles
  12. Bake at 375° F for 7-8 minutes, or until the cookies no longer look wet and glossy. Pull the cookies out of the oven and flatten slightly to get the ‘crinkle’ look. 
  13. Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the cookie sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling. 
  14. Repeat steps 9-13 with the remainder of the dough and filling, remembering to keep the unused filling in the freezer.
  15. Enjoy!
Aerial view of christmas cookies (gingerbread cheesecake)

Cheesecake-stuffed Gingerbread Cookie storage

Once cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also store these in the freezer, just enjoy within 3 months!

Karli’s Kitchen Faves 

Here are a few of my favorite kitchen tools that I used to make this recipe! 

  • Kitchenaid Mixer – I really love this thing. It’s not necessary for making good cookies, but I love the size of the bowl and the power. This Hand Mixer is also an excellent option for when you don’t want to mix things by hand. They’ll both save you a lot of arm aches. 
  • Cookie Sheet – These cookie sheets have put in WORK in my kitchen. If you’re looking for a brand that will stand the test of time (and cookies), this is my recommendation. 
  • Silicone baking mat – I love using this or parchment paper to line my cookie sheets to make it easy-peasy to get cookies off of the pan without sticking. 
  • Cookie scoop set – These are sturdy and won’t break when it, you know, scoops dough. I love these for making pretty + even cookies. I used the black handle scoop (#40) for these cookies.
A molasses gingerbread cookie cut in half to show cheesecake filling.

Killer Christmas Cookies

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Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies

Gingerbread cookies are a staple of Christmas, but have you ever had them stuffed with cheesecake filling?? I didn’t think so. These hit all the merry notes, without the risk of being predictable.
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 16 large cookies

Ingredients

Cheesecake Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (58g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Gingerbread Cookie

  • 1 cup (222g) salted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (185g) brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (58g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120mL) molasses, (I used Grandma's Original)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3 1/3 cups (506g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 Tbsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Sanding sugar + granulated sugar for decorating

Instructions 

  • Begin by making the cheesecake filling by whipping the cream cheese until smooth.
    8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • Next, add in the sugar and vanilla. Mix until fully incorporated and smooth.
    ¼ cup (58g) granulated sugar, 1 tsp vanilla
  • Use a Tablespoon to scoop filling into individual portions and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze while making the dough.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • Make the cookie dough by creaming together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light in color and fluffy in texture. This will take about 2 minutes.
    1 cup (222g) salted butter, softened, ¾ cup (185g) brown sugar, ¼ cup (58g) granulated sugar
  • Scrape the sides of the bowl and add in the molasses, egg, and vanilla. Mix until the mixture no longer looks separated and starts to become fluffy.
    ½ cup (120mL) molasses, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla
  • Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough sticks to your fingers, add additional flour, a Tbsp at a time, until no longer sticky.
    3 1/3 cups (506g) all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp baking powder, 1 Tbsp ground ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp salt
  • Scoop out your dough using a #40 scoop and flatten into a disk. You will use 2 portioned disks for each cookie.
  • Working in batches, remove 6 cheesecake dollops from the freezer and place one in the center of a dough disk.
  • Place a second disk on top to cover the filling and pinch the two disks together with your fingertips. Roll the edges with your fingers to smooth out the pinched seams until a smooth puck forms.
  • Roll the cookie in a bowl of granulated sugar mixed with sparkling sugar sprinkles.
    Sanding sugar + granulated sugar for decorating
  • Bake at 375° F for 7-8 minutes, or until the cookies no longer look wet and glossy. Pull the cookies out of the oven and flatten slightly to get the ‘crinkle’ look.
  • Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the cookie sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
  • Repeat steps 9-13 with the remainder of the dough and filling, remembering to keep the unused filling in the freezer.
  • Enjoy!
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About Karli Bitner

This blog is a little glimpse into my kitchen, family & life. I hope you’ll giggle the days away with me and enjoy the craziness that goes on at my house. If you are Cookie obsessed like I am, check out my Sister Site, Cookies for Days.

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