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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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