Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake

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Here’s a full, cozy, magazine-style recipe feature built around your cheesecake, with storytelling, structure, and lots of love—perfect for sharing, printing, or saving as a family favorite. 🎄🍰

Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake

Introduction

Christmas baking has a way of holding memories like nothing else. When Lila was little, Christmas Eve meant flour on the counters, music humming softly in the background, and tiny hands shaking red and green “magic dust” (sprinkles) everywhere except the cookies. This Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake captures that same warmth—sweet, nostalgic, and twinkly with holiday joy.

It combines the buttery comfort of a sugar cookie crust with a creamy, velvety cheesecake filling, all dressed up in festive sprinkles and clouds of whipped cream. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a hug on a cold December night.

A Little History & Inspiration

Cheesecake has ancient roots dating back to Greece, where it was served to athletes for energy. Over centuries, it evolved into the rich, cream-cheese-based dessert we know today. Sugar cookies, on the other hand, became a Christmas staple in Europe and later America, especially loved for their simplicity and decorative charm.

This recipe brings the two together—old-world comfort meets modern holiday magic—creating a dessert that feels both familiar and special, perfect for Christmas gatherings and family traditions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • 🎄 Festive and beautiful without being fussy
  • 🍪 No graham crackers—real sugar cookie crust
  • 🧀 Ultra-creamy, smooth cheesecake filling
  • ❤️ Perfect for memory-making and sharing
  • ✨ Easily customizable for different holidays

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie Crust

  • 1 package (16 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • Holiday sprinkles (red, green, or mixed)

Cheesecake Filling

  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup heavy cream

Topping

  • Whipped cream
  • Extra holiday sprinkles
  • Mini sugar cookies (optional, but adorable)

Equipment Needed

  • 9-inch springform pan
  • Electric mixer or stand mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Spatula
  • Baking sheet (optional, for safety under pan)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease the springform pan or line the bottom with parchment paper.

2. Make the Sugar Cookie Crust

Press the sugar cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle holiday sprinkles generously over the dough and gently press them in.

Tip: This crust will puff slightly and become golden, just like a soft-baked cookie.

3. Mix the Cheesecake Filling

In a large bowl:

  • Beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy
  • Add sugar and mix until fully combined
  • Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides
  • Mix in vanilla, sour cream, and heavy cream until silky and smooth

Avoid overmixing—this keeps the cheesecake creamy, not airy.

4. Assemble

Pour the cheesecake filling over the sugar cookie crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.

5. Bake

Bake for 50–60 minutes, until the edges are set and the center still has a gentle jiggle.

6. Cool Slowly (Very Important!)

Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour. This prevents cracking.

Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

7. Decorate & Serve

Before serving, top with:

  • Whipped cream
  • Holiday sprinkles
  • Mini sugar cookies

Slice and serve cold for best texture.

Baking Methods & Pro Tips (For Cheesecake Lovers)

  • Room temperature ingredients ensure a smooth filling
  • Slow cooling = no cracks
  • Don’t overbake—a little jiggle is perfect
  • Chill overnight for clean slices and best flavor

Variations for Dessert Lovers

  • Peppermint Lover’s Version: Add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract and crushed candy canes
  • Chocolate Lover’s Twist: Drizzle with white or milk chocolate ganache
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free sugar cookie dough
  • Kid-Friendly Fun: Let little ones decorate with sprinkles before serving

Serving & Storage

  • Serves: 8 generous slices
  • Calories: ~390 per slice
  • Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days
  • Freezing: Freeze plain cheesecake (no toppings) up to 1 month

For the Lovers of Cozy Traditions

This cheesecake is for:

  • Christmas Eve bakers
  • Sprinkle lovers
  • Parents recreating childhood magic
  • Anyone who believes desserts should tell a story

It’s not just a dessert—it’s a memory waiting to happen.

Conclusion

The Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake is everything December should feel like: sweet, comforting, joyful, and filled with love. Whether you’re baking it for family, friends, or just for yourself on a quiet winter night, it brings warmth to the table and smiles to every bite.

May it become part of your holiday tradition—just like those magical sugar-cookie nights that never truly fade. 🎄✨

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