Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake 

The Story Behind the Recipe – Sweet Memories and Christmas Magic ✨

There’s something about the holidays that makes every dessert taste a little more special. Maybe it’s the twinkle of lights, the scent of cinnamon in the air, or the sound of laughter echoing through a kitchen filled with warmth.

For me, Christmas has always meant baking. Every December, my kitchen turns into a winter wonderland of cookies, candies, and cakes — but one year, I decided to take my favorite holiday cookie and turn it into something extraordinary.

That’s how this Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake was born. 💫

It started on a frosty evening when I had sugar cookie dough ready to bake and a lonely block of cream cheese sitting in the fridge. As I rolled out cookies, the idea hit me — what if I combined the buttery goodness of sugar cookies with the creamy dreaminess of cheesecake?

I pressed the cookie dough into a crust, whipped up a silky cheesecake filling, sprinkled festive candies on top, and popped it in the oven. When it came out — golden, jiggly, and magical — I knew it was going to be a Christmas tradition.

Now, every holiday season, this cheesecake takes center stage on our dessert table — gleaming with colorful sprinkles and a buttery cookie base that makes everyone’s eyes light up. 🎄

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What Makes This Recipe Special 🌟

• 🎅 Holiday Magic in Every Bite: Buttery sugar cookie crust meets creamy cheesecake filling — festive perfection!
• 💚 Colorful & Cheerful: With Christmas sprinkles and candies, it’s as pretty as it is delicious.
• 🍪 Easy to Make: No complicated steps — simple ingredients, big flavor.
• 🎁 Perfect for Parties: A showstopper dessert that looks stunning on any Christmas table.
• ❄️ Make-Ahead Friendly: Chill it overnight and save your time for family and cocoa!

It’s the kind of dessert that makes you stop, smile, and taste Christmas itself.

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Ingredients – Simple, Festive & Delicious

🍪 For the Sugar Cookie Crust:

• 1 (16.5 oz) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough (or homemade sugar cookie dough)
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

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🍰 For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 24 oz (3 packages) cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (helps prevent cracking)
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for that sugar cookie flavor)

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🎄 For the Topping:

• 1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping
• Festive Christmas sprinkles
• Crushed sugar cookies or mini cookie pieces
• Red and green M&Ms or crushed peppermint (optional)

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Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
Grease a 9-inch springform pan or line the bottom with parchment paper.

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Step 2: Make the Sugar Cookie Crust

In a mixing bowl, knead together the sugar cookie dough and flour (the flour helps it hold up better as a crust).

Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the springform pan and slightly up the sides.

Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until lightly golden. Remove and set aside to cool while you prepare the filling.

(Pro Tip: Don’t overbake — it will continue to cook with the cheesecake.)

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Step 3: Make the Cheesecake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese with sugar until smooth and creamy.

Add sour cream, vanilla, almond extract (if using), and cornstarch. Mix until fully combined.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition — this keeps your cheesecake velvety and prevents cracking.

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Step 4: Pour and Bake

Pour the batter over the cooled cookie crust. Tap gently to remove any air bubbles.

Place the springform pan inside a larger roasting pan and pour in hot water halfway up the sides — this water bath keeps your cheesecake perfectly creamy.

Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until the center is just set but still has a slight jiggle.

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Step 5: Cool Gently

Turn off the oven and crack the door slightly. Let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.

Then, remove and cool completely on the counter before refrigerating for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Patience pays off — the texture will be dreamy!

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Step 6: Decorate with Christmas Joy 🎄

Once chilled, spread whipped cream over the top.
Sprinkle on festive decorations — red and green sprinkles, crushed cookies, M&Ms, or even candy cane bits for sparkle.

Each slice will look like a little piece of Christmas magic!

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Serving Suggestions – What to Pair It With 🍽️

• ☕ Hot Cocoa or Coffee: The perfect cozy pairing.
• 🫖 Peppermint Tea: Refreshing and festive.
• 🍓 Fresh Berries: Adds a pop of color and freshness.
• 🍷 Sweet Dessert Wine: For the grown-up holiday table.
• 🎁 Sugar Cookies on the Side: Because more cookies = more joy!

This cheesecake looks stunning on a Christmas dessert spread alongside gingerbread, fudge, and candy canes.

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Customization & Variations 🎨

• 🎂 No-Bake Version: Use a no-bake cheesecake filling and chill for at least 6 hours.
• 🍪 Oreo Twist: Swap sugar cookies for Golden Oreos for a cookie-crumb crust.
• 🍫 Chocolate Drizzle: Add melted white or dark chocolate on top for extra indulgence.
• 🍭 Peppermint Delight: Crush candy canes into the filling or sprinkle over the top.
• 🎄 Mini Cheesecakes: Use muffin tins for individual servings — adorable for parties!
• 💚 Colorful Swirl: Add red and green food coloring to portions of the batter and swirl before baking.

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Storing & Reheating

• Refrigerate: Store covered up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
• Serve Cold: Cheesecake tastes best chilled — no reheating needed!

(Pro Tip: Slice while cold for clean, neat edges.)

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Nutritional Snapshot (Per Serving – Approx.)

• Calories: 470
• Fat: 31g
• Carbs: 38g
• Protein: 7g
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 280mg

Sweet, creamy, festive — a true Christmas indulgence worth every bite! 🎄✨

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Reader Q&A – Common Questions

1. Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Cheesecake actually tastes better the next day after chilling.

2. Do I need a water bath?
It’s optional, but it helps the cheesecake stay smooth and crack-free.

3. Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough?
Yes! Just make sure it’s a firm dough, not too sticky.

4. Can I skip almond extract?
Of course — vanilla alone still gives that sugar cookie flavor.

5. What if my cheesecake cracks?
No worries — just cover it with whipped cream and sprinkles!

6. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free sugar cookies for the crust.

7. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
You can, but full-fat gives the richest texture.

8. Can I make mini cheesecakes instead?
Yes — bake in muffin tins for 20–25 minutes.

9. Can I use this crust with other cheesecakes?
Totally! It’s a fun twist for any flavor.

10. How long should I chill it?
At least 6 hours — overnight gives the best results.

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Final Thoughts 🍽️

This Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake is more than a dessert — it’s a little slice of holiday happiness. 🎄💚

It brings together everything we love about the season: buttery cookies, creamy cheesecake, and festive color. Each bite is sweet, smooth, and full of Christmas cheer.

It’s perfect for family gatherings, holiday parties, or cozy nights by the fire with a mug of cocoa. Whether you make it once or every year, this cheesecake will quickly become a treasured holiday tradition.

So preheat your oven, grab those sprinkles, and let’s bake some Christmas joy — one cheesecake at a time. ✨

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Tried This Recipe? 💕

Did you make this Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake?

📸 Share your festive masterpiece on Pinterest and tag @Granny’s Lil Kitchen — I’d love to see your beautiful holiday creations!

Leave a comment below and tell me how you decorated yours — more cookies? candy canes? or a mountain of whipped cream?

No matter how you make it, this cheesecake is pure holiday magic from my kitchen to yours. ❤️🎄