Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Recipe

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Author: Sophia
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Bring holiday cheer straight to your table with this Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Recipe. It’s creamy, festive, and built on a sweet cookie crust that feels like Christmas in every bite. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights by the tree.

Christmas sugar cookie cheesecake with sprinkles and holiday cookies on festive plates

This Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Recipe is the ultimate holiday dessert. The crust is built from sugar cookie dough, so every bite delivers that nostalgic, buttery sweetness you expect from Christmas cookies.

The cheesecake filling in this Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Recipe turns out creamy and smooth with a hint of vanilla and almond extract. These flavors add depth without overpowering, while the water bath keeps the texture soft and crack-free.

Decorating this Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Recipe is just as fun. A generous sprinkle of colorful Christmas sprinkles gives it a cheerful, festive look without extra effort. Whipped cream dollops make a pretty, playful finishing touch too.

Another reason to love this recipe is the make-ahead factor. Since it needs several hours to chill, you can prepare it the day before Christmas and save yourself time on the big day.

It’s festive, practical, and delicious — making this Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Recipe a true holiday dessert win.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Recipe

For the cheesecake base

  • 4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 2 packages Ready to Bake Sugar Cookies (24 cookies each)

For decorating

  • Christmas sprinkles
  • Optional: whipped cream dollops

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the crust

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan, then line the bottom with cookie dough rounds. Start along the edges and work inward until the bottom is fully covered. Bake for 8 minutes, just until the dough spreads together. Let it cool for about 5 minutes.

Mix the cheesecake filling

Beat the softened cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Add the sugar, vanilla, and almond extract, mixing until combined. Then add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl between each. Do not overmix, or you risk cracks later.

Bake with a water bath

Pour the cheesecake batter over the baked crust. Place a roasting pan filled with 2 inches of hot water on the bottom rack of your oven. Bake the cheesecake on the middle rack for about 55 minutes, until the edges are set and the center still jiggles slightly.

Christmas sugar cookie cheesecake slice with sprinkles and holiday cookies

Cool and chill properly

Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake rest inside for 1 hour. After that, move it to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. This step helps the texture firm up and prevents cracks.

Add festive toppings

Once chilled, remove the cheesecake from the pan. Add a layer of Christmas sprinkles across the top. For extra flair, pipe whipped cream dollops around the edges.

Whole Christmas sugar cookie cheesecake with sprinkles and golden crust

Tips for the Best Results

Preventing cracks in cheesecake

Always avoid overmixing the eggs. Mixing too much adds air, which expands in the oven and causes cracks. Baking with a water bath also helps regulate heat.

Getting the crust just right

Don’t overbake the cookie crust. It will continue cooking once the cheesecake is added, so pull it from the oven as soon as it spreads across the pan.

Storage and make-ahead advice

This cheesecake stores well in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also bake it a day in advance, letting it chill overnight so it’s ready to serve when needed.

Recipe Notes & Variations

Optional decorations like whipped cream

Whipped cream piped around the edge looks beautiful and gives a light contrast to the dense cheesecake.

Flavor swap ideas for extracts

Try swapping almond extract for peppermint extract for a holiday twist, or keep it simple with just vanilla if you prefer.

Using homemade sugar cookies instead of packaged

If you love baking from scratch, you can press your homemade sugar cookie dough into the pan instead of using store-bought. Just keep the same bake time for the crust.

Serving Suggestions

This Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake shines as the centerpiece on your dessert table. Pair slices with hot cocoa, coffee, or a glass of mulled wine for a cozy finish. It’s festive enough for Christmas dinner but also perfect for holiday parties or cookie exchanges.

Overhead Christmas sugar cookie cheesecake with sprinkles and holiday cookies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most famous Christmas cookie?

Sugar cookies are often considered the most famous Christmas cookie, especially when decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles.

What is the secret to a good sugar cookie?

Chilling the dough before baking helps sugar cookies hold their shape and stay soft while still tasting buttery and sweet.

What is the secret to a good cheesecake?

A water bath, slow cooling, and avoiding overmixing eggs are the main secrets to a creamy, crack-free cheesecake.

How soon before Christmas should I make Christmas cookies?

Most Christmas cookies, including sugar cookies, can be baked up to a week in advance and stored properly in airtight containers.

Conclusion

This Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Recipe combines two beloved holiday treats into one unforgettable dessert. With its buttery cookie crust, creamy filling, and colorful sprinkles, it’s festive, practical, and downright delicious.

Slice of Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Recipe with sprinkles on festive holiday plate

Make it ahead, top it your way, and watch it disappear at your Christmas gathering. For even more inspiration, check out my favorite boards on Pinterest filled with cozy, crowd-pleasing desserts.

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Overhead Christmas sugar cookie cheesecake with sprinkles and holiday cookies

Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Recipe


  • Author: Sophia
  • Total Time: 6 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 1 9-inch cheesecake (about 1012 servings) 1x

Description

Creamy holiday cheesecake with a sugar cookie crust, festive sprinkles, and make-ahead convenience. Perfect centerpiece dessert for Christmas gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale

4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

2 packages Ready to Bake Sugar Cookies (24 cookies each)

Christmas sprinkles

Optional: whipped cream dollops


Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F and lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan. Line the bottom with sugar cookie dough rounds, starting from the edges and working inward until covered. Bake about 8 minutes, just until the dough spreads to cover the pan. Cool for 5 minutes.

2. Beat softened cream cheese until smooth, then add sugar, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix in eggs one at a time, scraping bowl and avoiding overmixing.

3. Pour batter over crust. Place a roasting pan with 2 inches of water on the bottom oven rack, and bake cheesecake on the middle rack for about 55 minutes, until edges are set but center is still slightly jiggly.

4. Turn off oven, crack door, and let cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour. Chill in refrigerator at least 4 hours or overnight before removing from pan.

5. Top with sprinkles and optional whipped cream dollops before serving.

Notes

Do not overbake the cookie crust; it will continue cooking under the cheesecake.

Avoid overmixing eggs to reduce cracks.

Cheesecake must be fully cooled and set before removing from the pan.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Christmas Dessert Recipes
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice

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