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Amazing Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake: 10 Tips

Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake decorated with holiday sprinkles and crushed cookies

A festive fusion of classic sugar cookies and creamy cheesecake, this Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake is a show-stopping dessert perfect for holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup granulated sugar

1¼ cups all-purpose flour (for crust)

½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

2 tbsp milk (plus 2 more for dough)

Pinch kosher salt

¾ cup granulated sugar (for dough)

6 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp

½ tsp vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour (for dough)

½ tsp kosher salt (for dough)

3 tbsp jimmies sprinkles (plus more for topping)

4 (8 oz) blocks full-fat cream cheese, room temp

2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for filling)

1 tsp vanilla extract (for filling)

¼ tsp almond extract (optional)

¾ cup sour cream, room temp

4 large eggs, room temp

6 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp (for frosting)

⅓ cup sour cream (for frosting)

1½ cups powdered sugar (for frosting)

Extra sugar cookies or sprinkles for garnish

Instructions

1. Make shortbread crust: Combine flour, powdered sugar, salt, and butter until crumbly. Stir in milk until dough forms. Press into springform pan. Bake at 325°F for 15 mins. Cool.

2. Prepare sugar cookie dough: Cream butter and sugar. Add milk, vanilla, flour, salt, and fold in sprinkles. Drop ½ tsp-sized dough balls onto a plate.

3. Make cheesecake filling: Beat cream cheese, sugar, and flour until smooth. Mix in vanilla, almond extract, and sour cream. Add eggs one at a time. Fold in cookie dough.

4. Assemble and bake: Pour filling into crust. Add a roasting pan of hot water to oven’s lower rack. Bake cheesecake at 325°F for 75 mins.

5. Cool: Let sit in off oven with door ajar for 45 mins, then room temp 30 mins. Chill overnight.

6. Make frosting: Beat butter, sour cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.

7. Decorate: Spread frosting over cheesecake, top with sprinkles or cookies. Slice and serve.

Notes

Make-ahead friendly: Best when chilled overnight.

Freezable: Wrap unfrosted cake and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw, frost, and serve.

Room-temp ingredients ensure smooth texture.

Use a springform pan for best results, or line a cake pan with parchment.