Sugar Cookie Cheesecake

If you’re searching for the ultimate Christmas dessert, Sugar Cookie Cheesecake is the answer. This festive treat combines the buttery sweetness of a sugar cookie crust, a creamy baked cheesecake, and the playful indulgence of sugar cookie dough balls. Topped with a silky white chocolate ganache and sprinkled with holiday sprinkles, this cheesecake is a showstopper that will delight both kids and adults.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, attending a cookie exchange, or simply treating your family, this cheesecake delivers holiday magic in every bite. With its layers of texture and flavor—from the crisp cookie crust to the creamy cheesecake and chewy cookie dough balls—it’s the perfect centerpiece for any festive occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Sugar Cookie Cheesecake

• Perfect for holidays: The colorful sprinkles and sugar cookie dough make it a festive Christmas dessert.
• Rich and creamy: Cream cheese and heavy cream create a velvety cheesecake base.
• Playful cookie dough surprise: Small dough balls baked into the cheesecake add bursts of sweetness and texture.
• Decadent ganache topping: White chocolate ganache adds a smooth, glossy finish.
• Make-ahead friendly: Can be prepared a day in advance, making holiday entertaining stress-free.

Ingredients Breakdown

This recipe yields 16 slices and has a total preparation and baking time of approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes, including chilling.

Sugar Cookie Crust

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 egg yolk, room temperature
• 1/3 cup Christmas sprinkles, jimmies

Cookie Dough Balls

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1/2 cup Christmas sprinkles, jimmies

Cheesecake

• 24 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt, room temperature
• 1/4 cup heavy cream, room temperature
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 3/4 of the prepared cookie dough balls

White Chocolate Ganache

• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup heavy cream

Tools & Equipment Needed

• 9-inch springform pan
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheets
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Small pan for heating cream
• Cooling rack
• Foil (for water bath)
• Oven thermometer (optional, for precise baking)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sugar Cookie Crust

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper and spray again.
2. In a medium bowl, mix 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside.
3. Beat 3/4 cup butter and 1 cup sugar on high speed for 2 minutes.
4. Add 1 tsp vanilla, 1 egg, and 1 egg yolk, mixing on medium until fully combined.
5. Mix in the dry ingredients on low speed until just combined, then fold in 1/3 cup Christmas sprinkles.
6. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden on top. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Prepare Cookie Dough Balls

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (for baking the flour for dough balls). Spread 1 1/2 cups flour on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Cool completely.
2. Mix 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 tsp salt in a medium bowl.
3. Beat 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup sugar on high speed for 2 minutes. Add 1 tsp vanilla and 3 tbsp milk, mixing until combined.
4. Add dry ingredients on low speed, then fold in 1/2 cup Christmas sprinkles.
5. Roll into small balls, about the diameter of a dime to a nickel, on a wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm.

Step 3: Prepare the Cheesecake

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare a hot water bath.
2. Beat 24 oz cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar on high for 2 minutes, scraping sides halfway through.
3. Mix in 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup heavy cream, and 1 tsp vanilla on medium speed until smooth.
4. Add 4 eggs one at a time, mixing on low until just combined.
5. Fold in 3/4 of the prepared cookie dough balls using a spatula.

Step 4: Bake the Cheesecake

1. Pour cheesecake batter over cooled sugar cookie crust.
2. Place in a water bath using one of two methods:
   • Place the springform pan in a 10-inch cake pan, then the cake pan in a roasting pan. Fill with hot water halfway up the cake pan.
   • Wrap the springform pan twice in foil, place in a roasting pan, and fill with hot water halfway up the pan.
3. Bake 80–90 minutes until edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
4. Crack oven door and cool for 30 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack, then wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Step 5: Prepare White Chocolate Ganache

1. Heat 1/3 cup heavy cream until steaming. Pour over 1 cup white chocolate chips.
2. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Microwave in 20-second intervals if needed.
3. Pour ganache over chilled cheesecake. Freeze for 10 minutes, then top with remaining cookie dough balls and sprinkles.

Tips & Tricks

• Dairy prep: Remove cream cheese, eggs, and cream from the fridge 2 hours before baking for smooth batter.
• Water bath: Prevents cracks; ensure pan is wrapped properly to avoid water leaks.
• Freezing dough balls: Keeps them firm and maintains texture in cheesecake.
• Sprinkle variety: Use holiday-themed jimmies for extra festive flair.

Storage & Make-Ahead

• Refrigerator: Wrap cheesecake in foil and store up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze uncut cheesecake for up to 2 months; thaw in refrigerator overnight.

Nutritional Overview (Per Slice)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	551 kcal
Carbohydrates	30 g
Protein	8 g
Fat	45 g
Saturated Fat	27 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	2 g
Monounsaturated Fat	12 g
Trans Fat	1 g
Cholesterol	131 mg
Sodium	379 mg
Potassium	173 mg
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	10 g
Vitamin A	1481 IU
Vitamin C	0.2 mg
Calcium	112 mg
Iron	1 mg

Serving Suggestions

• Slice generously and serve chilled for a festive holiday treat.
• Pair with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate for cozy winter gatherings.
• Garnish with extra sprinkles or edible glitter for an extra festive touch.

Flavor Profile & Pairings

• Taste: Sweet, buttery, creamy, and festive with bursts of sugar cookie dough.
• Texture: Crunchy crust, soft creamy cheesecake, chewy cookie dough balls, and smooth ganache topping.

Recipe Variations

• Chocolate twist: Mix mini chocolate chips into cookie dough balls.
• Peppermint crunch: Add crushed candy canes to ganache topping.
• Nutty variation: Add finely chopped pecans into the crust or cookie dough balls.

Pro Baking Tips

• Beat cream cheese until completely smooth to avoid lumps.
• Don’t overmix the cheesecake batter after adding eggs; overmixing can cause cracking.
• Use a springform pan for easy removal.
• Chill cheesecake thoroughly before cutting to maintain shape.

Expanded Conclusion

This Sugar Cookie Cheesecake is the ultimate festive dessert for holiday celebrations. Its colorful appearance, indulgent layers, and playful cookie dough surprise make it a crowd favorite. While it requires patience and a bit of prep, the result is a showstopping centerpiece that will impress your family and friends.

Baking this cheesecake is as much about creating memories as it is about enjoying the finished product. From rolling tiny cookie dough balls with loved ones to savoring the first creamy slice, it’s a dessert that embodies holiday joy. Treat yourself and your guests to a slice this season—you won’t regret it!

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