These Cheesecake Cookies are one of everyone’s favorites during the holidays. They’re tender, light and will melt in your mouth!
This Christmas cheesecake cookie recipe results in creamy, like a crispy cheesecake, cookies; A unique crowd pleaser.
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History of Cheesecake
Cheesecake started to show up around the fifth century BC in Greece. Eventually it made it’s way around the world. Cheesecake as we know it today has only been around for the last 90 years, when it was started to be made with cream cheese.
Why This Dessert Recipe is a Keeper
- 30 Minutes: This delicious cookie will be ready to eat in about 30 minutes.
- Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients can be found in your pantry or fridge. Softened cream cheese is the star so remember to set it out.
- Family Friendly: The whole family is going to go crazy for these bite-sized cookies.
- Perfect for the Holidays: Since these cookies don’t take long to make, they’re perfect to whip up for a holiday party for those who love cheesecake flavor.
If you’re looking for more cookie recipes, try these Strawberry Crunch Cookies, Lemon Curd Cookies and Brownie Cake Cookies from Mix
Should these cheesecake cookies be crispy or chewy?
These cookies will be crispy like how a cheesecake is but they’re also light and fluffy.
Variations and Substitutions to Help you Love this Recipe
- Sugar Substitute: change the calories by working with a sugar free version of your favorite sweeteners. No liquid, make sure it is a one to one substitute. It will taste like cheesecake.
- Cookie Pieces: Try adding your favorite cookie crumbled up to make Oreo cheesecake cookies for a cookies and cream flavor to the cookie dough balls. This is a great recipe that your family will love these cookies.
- Brown Sugar: Try sprinkling brown sugar on the top instead of powdered sugar.
- Chill: The remaining dough should be chilled to keep cookies from spreading too much.
How to Make Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies
Christmas cream cheese cookies come together in just a few easy steps. If you want cheesecake but do not have a lot of time, make the cookie instead. Let us know if you made this recipe we love reader interactions.
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These are the basic easy to follow steps for making Cheesecake Cookies. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Prep
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare your baking sheet with parchment paper. Set out your regular cream cheese before you make the cookie dough..
STEP 2: Cream Together Cream Cheese Mixture
In a large bowl, use a stand mixer to beat together butter and cream cheese and granulated sugar. Add egg and vanilla or two teaspoons of almond extract. Whisk together ingredients with the sugar until smooth.
STEP 3: Gradually Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet until Ball of Dough Forms
Next, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt and mix until a dough forms.
STEP 4: Dough Balls
Scoop out about a tablespoon of cookie dough with a cookie scoop, and roll into 1 ½ inch spheres. Place cookie dough onto a lined baking sheet (you might need 2 pans), leaving at least 1 ½ inches apart from each other.
STEP 5: Bake the Cream Cheese Balls
Bake time of 11-13 minutes. Allow to cool completely then sprinkle with powdered sugar. The cheesecake cookies are soft and the cookies taste just like cheesecake.
Recipe FAQs for Cheesecake Cookies
Expert Tips for Making This Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Chips: Use white chocolate chips for cream cheese chocolate chip cookies.
- Nuts: Maybe add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies: Try a dollop of strawberry jam, or raspberry jam, for strawberry flavor cheesecake cookies.
- Drizzle: Melt some chocolate and drizzle on top of the cookies. Or make a chocolate cheesecake, even add semisweet chocolate chips and make a new recipe. These cookies are delicious.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: Make these Cheesecake Cookies more like cheesecake by rolling them in a graham cracker crust.
- Frosting: Cream cheese frosting adds even more creamy goodness to the cookies. Top with some festive sprinkles or sanding sugar.
- Extract: You can use vanilla extract or even cream cheese extract for even more flavor.
- Zest: Use orange or lemon zest to add a nice citrusy flavor to the cookies dough before baking.
More Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies Recipes
Cheesecake Cookies
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons Butter, softened (about ½ cup)
- 4 ounces Cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 Large egg, whisked at room temperature
- 2 teaspoon Almond extract
- 1 ¾ cup Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- Powdered sugar for garnishing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together softened butter and cream cheese with granulated sugar.
- Add egg and almond extract. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Next, add the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt.
- Mix until a cookie dough forms.
- Roll the cookie dough into 1 ½ inch spheres. Place gently on a cookie sheet (you may have to bake it on 2 pans), leaving at least 1 ½ inches apart from each other.
- Bake for 11 to 13 minutes. Allow to cool then sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Christina’s Notes
- Chips: Use white chocolate chips for cream cheese chocolate chip cookies.
- Nuts: Maybe add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies: Try a dollop of strawberry jam, or raspberry jam, for strawberry flavor cheesecake cookies.
- Drizzle: Melt some chocolate and drizzle on top of the cookies.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: Make these cookies more like cheesecake by rolling them in a graham cracker crust.
- Frosting: Cream cheese frosting adds even more creamy goodness to the cookies. Top with some festive sprinkles or sanding sugar.
- Extract: You can use vanilla extract or even cream cheese extract for even more flavor.
- Zest: Use orange or lemon zest to add a nice citrusy flavor to these cookies.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Dough was pasty and could not roll till I refrigerated it for about 30 minutes. Maybe I read the ingredients incorrectly
It is a stickier dough. The recipe is correct. Refrigeration will allow it to firm up. Also try using damp hands as you roll them.
Love these cookies! Thanks for the recipe!
Can you mail cream cheese cookies
yes