These chewy gingerbread cookies are filled with a creamy cheesecake center and rolled in spiced sugar, creating a festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings!
Ingredients
Cheesecake Filling
6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, cold
3 tbsp (38 g) granulated white sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Spiced Sugar
6 tbsp (75 g) granulated white sugar
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
Gingerbread Cookies
2 1/2 cups (313 g) all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
2 egg yolks, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup (113 g) unsulphured molasses
Instructions
Cheesecake Filling
Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Scoop into 18, 2-teaspoon portions onto the baking sheet. Freeze until the cheesecake balls are firm.
Spiced Sugar
In a small bowl, mix sugar, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
Gingerbread Cookies
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, spices, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on high until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Add egg yolks, molasses, and vanilla, and mix on medium speed until fluffy. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Scoop dough into 18 portions (about 2 tablespoons each). Flatten each portion slightly, place a frozen cheesecake ball in the center, and wrap the dough around it. Roll to form a smooth ball. Roll each ball in the spiced sugar, coating completely.
Baking
Place 6 cookies per baking sheet. Bake for 11-12 minutes. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve and enjoy these holiday treats with friends and family!