A festive fusion of classic sugar cookies and creamy cheesecake, this Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake is a show-stopping dessert perfect for holiday celebrations.
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
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.
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.
Find it online: https://www.musttryrecipe.com/christmas-sugar-cookie-cheesecake/