Jolly Gingerbread Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Soft, buttery cookies dance with the warmth of holiday spices in this irresistible gingerbread cheesecake thumbprint cookies recipe that promises to delight every sweet tooth.

Winter gatherings call for something special, and these little bites pack a festive punch of flavor.

The rich, creamy cheesecake center nestles perfectly inside a spiced gingerbread cookie base, creating a harmonious blend of textures.

Each cookie offers a delicate crunch that gives way to a silky smooth filling.

Warm notes of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg weave through the dough, awakening memories of cozy holiday moments.

The delicate thumbprint design makes these cookies as beautiful as they are delicious.

Bake a batch and watch them disappear faster than snowflakes in sunshine.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Total Time: 36 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 25

Gingerbread Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy foundation for cookie's shape and texture, choose unbleached flour for better flavor and structure.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine-grain salt for even distribution.

• Unsalted Butter, Cream Cheese: Creates luxurious, tender crumb with smooth mouthfeel, ensure both are at room temperature for seamless mixing.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy moisture and helps create soft, tender cookie texture.

• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel notes and helps cookies stay moist, look for fresh, clump-free sugar.
• Egg Yolk: Binds ingredients and contributes to rich, tender cookie texture.

• Ground Ginger, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg: Deliver warm, complex gingerbread flavor profile, use fresh, high-quality spices for most vibrant taste.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out spice flavors and adds depth, choose pure vanilla for best results.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate, White Chocolate: Provides luxurious coating and decorative finish, select high-quality chocolate for smooth melting.
• Shortening: Helps chocolate melt smoothly and creates glossy finish.

Flavor Tips for Thumbprint Cookie Filling

• Add extra ground ginger, cinnamon, or nutmeg to boost the warm, cozy flavor profile of these delightful cookies.
• Experiment with flavored cream cheese like honey or strawberry to create unique filling variations that surprise taste buds.
• Prepare cookie dough and filling up to 3 days in advance, storing separately in airtight containers to save time during holiday baking.
• Keep finished cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain their delicious texture and freshness.
• Replace white and semi-sweet chocolate with caramel, dark chocolate, or even colored candy melts to create stunning visual presentations that make these cookies party-perfect.

Serving Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies for Holidays

• Cozy Coffee Companion: Pair these gingerbread cheesecake thumbprint cookies with a warm mug of spiced chai latte or rich espresso for a delightful flavor combination that enhances the cookies' warm spices.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange cookies on a festive holiday platter with sprinkled cinnamon, garnish with fresh mint leaves, and create an eye-catching display that's perfect for gatherings or special occasions.
• Winter Gifting Idea: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine or holiday ribbons, adding a personalized gift tag for a heartwarming homemade present that friends and family will adore.
• Decadent Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate the dessert experience and complement the rich cheesecake and gingerbread flavors.

Storing Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Chilled Sanctuary: Store cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper between each row. Refrigerate up to 5 days to maintain creamy filling's freshness and prevent texture changes.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe containers. Freeze successfully for 3 months without compromising taste or texture. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Temperature Control Trick: Keep cream cheese filling chilled at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth. Always handle cookies with clean hands and use separate utensils when preparing and storing.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough and cream cheese filling separately up to 2 days before baking. Store dough in sealed container inside refrigerator and filling in covered bowl. Assemble and bake just before serving for maximum flavor and crispness.

Tools for Baking Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

• Electric mixer with paddle attachment: Essential for creating smooth, creamy cookie dough and beating filling ingredients efficiently.
• Mixing bowls: Two separate bowls needed for combining wet and dry ingredients separately.
• Measuring spoons: Perfect for scooping precise amounts of dough and creating cookie centers.
• Wooden spoon or small measuring spoon: Helps create indents in partially baked cookies.
• Baking sheet: Large sheet for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper: Ensures cookies don't stick and makes cleanup easy.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Piping bag or plastic baggie: Used for drizzling melted chocolate over cookies.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Needed for melting chocolate smoothly.
• Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients like flour and spices.

How to Prepare Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies

• Filling Preparation

Blend cream cheese with brown sugar until silky smooth. Mix in sour cream, egg, and vanilla. Chill the mixture in refrigerator.

• Oven Readiness

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Dough Foundation

Cream butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla until fluffy and light. Combine flour and warm spices separately, then fold into wet ingredients gradually.

• Cookie Shaping

Form small dough balls and place on prepared sheet. Bake initial 8 minutes, then create gentle centers using spoon handle. Add cream cheese filling into each pocket.

• Secondary Baking

Return cookies to oven for additional 8 minutes until perfectly set.

• Decorative Finish

Cool cookies completely on wire rack. Melt white and semi-sweet chocolate for elegant drizzling over cookies. Use piping bag or spoon for smooth chocolate design.

Irresistible Gingerbread Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 36 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Delightful gingerbread cheesecake thumbprint cookies blend warm spices with creamy cheesecake filling in a festive holiday treat. Bakers can create these irresistible cookies that combine classic Christmas flavors with a modern twist you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter
• 6 oz (170 grams) cream cheese
• 2 ¼ cups (270 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 8 oz (226 grams) semi-sweet chocolate
• 12 oz (340 grams) white chocolate
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) sour cream
• 2 tsps ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tsps shortening
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt (about ¼ tsp)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Cheesecake Filling: Whip cream cheese and brown sugar until silky smooth, then blend in sour cream, egg, and vanilla extract. Chill the mixture to firm up its consistency.
2. Craft Cookie Dough: Cream butter, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla in a stand mixer until light and airy. Sift together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then gradually incorporate into the butter mixture until a uniform dough forms.
3. Shape and Initial Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F. Scoop uniform dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them 1-2 inches apart. Bake for 8 minutes, then create gentle indentations using a rounded measuring spoon.
4. Fill and Final Bake: Carefully fill cookie centers with chilled cheesecake mixture. Return to oven and bake an additional 8 minutes until edges turn golden and filling sets.
5. Decorate and Cool: Transfer cookies to wire racks and allow to cool completely. Melt white and semi-sweet chocolate with vegetable shortening, then drizzle decoratively over cookies using a piping bag, creating an elegant two-toned presentation.

Notes

• Chill the Cheesecake Filling: Refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes to achieve a firmer, more manageable consistency that prevents spreading during baking.
• Measure Dough Precisely: Use a small cookie scoop for uniform size, ensuring even baking and consistent appearance across all cookies.
• Handle Indentations Carefully: Create thumb or spoon impressions gently to prevent cookie cracking, using a rounded measuring spoon with light pressure.
• Chocolate Drizzling Tip: Allow cookies to cool completely before drizzling chocolate to prevent melting and ensure a clean, crisp decorative pattern.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg