Ahh, the holiday season! As soon as December rolls around, I feel an undeniable urge to bake. One of my absolute favorite recipes to whip up during this time is my Christmas Cheesecake Snickerdoodles. There’s just something about the combination of warm, spices, and the rich, creamy burst of cheesecake filling that makes these cookies feel like a cozy hug on a plate. Plus, they’re the perfect festive treat to share at gatherings—trust me, they never last long! My friends always beg me for the recipe, and once you try them, you’ll understand why.
These cookies bring back wonderful memories of baking in the kitchen with my mom as we decorated the house for Christmas. We’d turn on our favorite holiday tunes, and each cookie we made felt like pure magic. I love sharing that magic with family and friends, especially when they same that the cookies sound confusing at first but taste absolutely incredible! So, let’s dive into this delightful recipe together!
What’s in Christmas Cheesecake Snickerdoodles?
- Unsalted butter: You want good, soft butter for this recipe. I always opt for Land O’Lakes for its smooth texture.
- Granulated sugar and brown sugar: A blend of these sugars gives the cookies that perfect crunchy exterior with a chewy inside. Go for light brown sugar for the best results.
- Eggs: They help bind everything together and add richness to the cookies. Make sure they’re fresh! I love organic eggs for their vibrant yolks.
- Vanilla extract: A must-have for flavor! The good stuff makes a noticeable difference, trust me. I recommend Madagascar vanilla for its rich aroma.
- All-purpose flour: It keeps the cookies from spreading too much. Make sure to scoot it around in the bag first to avoid packed flour!
- Cream of tartar: This gives snickerdoodles that signature tangy flavor and helps create a chewy texture—so don’t skip it!
- Baking soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise nicely.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors—never underestimate the power of salt!
- Cream cheese: The star of the show! It’s smooth, rich, and just sweet enough to balance the cookies.
- Powdered sugar: This sweetens the cream cheese filling without making it gritty.
- Red and green M&M candies: These are for mixing into the dough and decorating—because what’s Christmas without a bit of color and fun?
- Festive sprinkles: They add the final touch of whimsy to these already joyful cookies.
- Granulated sugar and cinnamon: Optional, but rolling the cookies in this mix adds that classic snickerdoodle vibe that everyone adores!
Are Christmas Cheesecake Snickerdoodles Good for You?
Now, before you dive headfirst into these delightful cookies, let’s have a heart-to-heart about their healthfulness (or lack thereof!). While these cookies are certainly a treat, they are not exactly health food. The unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and cream cheese contribute a fair amount of calories, so maybe don’t eat the entire batch in one go—though I’ve been tempted more than once!
That said, the holiday season is all about indulgence, and these cookies are perfect for enjoying in moderation, especially when shared with loved ones. Plus, the cream cheese adds a nice source of calcium! Just keep in mind that if you need to watch your sugar intake, there are alternative sweeteners available that can be substituted in this recipe without compromising too much on taste.
Ingredients List
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup red and green M&M candies (for mixing and decoration)
- 1/4 cup festive sprinkles (for decoration)
- Additional granulated sugar and cinnamon for rolling (optional)
How to Make Christmas Cheesecake Snickerdoodles?
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy clean-up.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes of beating, and boy, are you going to love that creamy mixture!
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract. Keep mixing until everything is well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture until just combined. Important tip: Do not overmix; a little bit of flour streaks are okay!
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Set it aside because this will be the best part!
- Form Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, take a portion of the dough and flatten it slightly. Place a small spoonful of the cream cheese filling right in the center. Fold the dough around it and roll it into a ball. It’s like wrapping a little gift!
- Add M&M’s: Gently press in a few red and green M&M candies into each cookie ball for decoration before placing it on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until you see the edges turning golden brown. The centers may look slightly underbaked, but don’t worry, they’ll firm up as they cool.
- Finish with Sprinkles: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with festive sprinkles while the cookies are still warm. This is where the magic happens!
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. You can finally show off your holiday baking skills!
Sprinkle Some Joy!
- For an extra festive touch, consider rolling the cookie dough in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar before baking for that classic snickerdoodle flavor.
- These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or to pack as gifts. Store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness—if they last that long!
- If you’d like to experiment, try swapping the M&M’s with white chocolate chips for a different flavor twist.
So there you have it! My cherished Christmas Cheesecake Snickerdoodles recipe is all set for your holiday baking adventure. I can already envision the smiles and festive cheer these cookies will bring to your home. I absolutely encourage you to give them a try—bake, taste, and revel in the delightful flavors that are sure to make your celebrations even more special. Don’t forget to let me know how your batch turns out!
