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Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookie Cups Recipe


  • Author: Matteo
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings 1x

Description

Delight in the festive flavors of Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies, perfect for holiday gatherings. These soft and spiced cookie cups are filled with a creamy cinnamon-ginger cheesecake frosting and topped with colorful Christmas sprinkles, creating a fun and delicious treat that combines the warmth of gingerbread with the richness of cheesecake.


Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 3/4 cup salted butter (softened at room temperature)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 whole egg
  • 3 tablespoons molasses
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons corn starch

Cheesecake Frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Toppings

  • Christmas sprinkles (for fun!)

Instructions

  1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl using an electric mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure even mixing.
  2. Add Egg and Molasses: Incorporate the whole egg and molasses into the butter mixture and continue beating until smooth and well combined.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and corn starch until evenly combined.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until a dough forms. Avoid over-mixing to keep the cookies tender. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.
  5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two regular muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  6. Form Cookie Cups: Press approximately 2 tablespoons of chilled cookie dough into the bottom of each muffin cup, then press the dough halfway up the sides to form a cup shape.
  7. Bake: Bake the cookie cups for 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes.
  8. Shape Cups: While warm, press the back of a tablespoon or the top of a round spice jar down into the center of each cookie to deepen the cup shape. Allow the cookie cups to cool completely in the pan before removing.
  9. Prepare Cheesecake Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and vanilla extract with a hand or stand mixer until smooth and creamy.
  10. Fill and Decorate: Transfer the cheesecake frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe a swirl into each cooled cookie cup. Alternatively, spread the frosting using a spoon. Top with festive Christmas sprinkles for added color and fun.
  11. Serve and Enjoy: Serve your gingerbread cheesecake cookies immediately or refrigerate to keep the frosting firm. Enjoy this festive treat at holiday parties or as a delightful dessert anytime.

Notes

  • Be sure not to over-mix the dough after adding the flour to keep the cookies tender and prevent them from becoming tough.
  • Chilling the dough helps the cookie cups maintain their shape during baking.
  • If you don’t have a spice jar or tablespoon for shaping the cups, use any rounded object that fits safely into the muffin pan.
  • The cheesecake frosting should be kept chilled if not serving immediately to maintain its consistency.
  • For a stronger ginger flavor, you can add a little extra ground ginger to the dough or frosting.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Gingerbread cookies, cheesecake frosting, holiday cookies, Christmas dessert, gingerbread cheesecake cups, festive treats