Holiday Sugar Cookie Cheesecake 🎄✨
A Creamy Vanilla Cheesecake with Festive Sugar Cookie Swirls
If you’re looking for a showstopper dessert to grace your holiday table, this Holiday Sugar Cookie Cheesecake is it. A buttery graham cracker crust holds a rich vanilla cheesecake filling, but the real magic is in the festive red and green sugar cookie swirl that dances through each slice. It’s merry, bright, and irresistible!
Whether you’re baking for a Christmas party or just need a little holiday sparkle, this cheesecake combines nostalgic sugar cookie flavor with creamy, classic cheesecake texture for the best of both worlds.
Why I Love This Recipe
The holidays are the perfect time to elevate your desserts, and this recipe does just that without being complicated. You get the buttery crunch of graham crackers, the lusciousness of baked cheesecake, and the playful charm of red and green cookie dough swirls.
Plus, you can customize it easily—add sprinkles, change the swirl colors, or top it with a few festive cookies to make it your own.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
For the Sugar Cookie Swirl:
- 1 cup sugar cookie dough (homemade or store-bought)
- Red and green food coloring
For Garnish:
- Whipped cream
- Holiday-themed sugar cookies
Ingredient Notes
- Sugar Cookie Dough: Store-bought works great, but you can use leftover dough from holiday baking too.
- Food Coloring: Gel food coloring gives the most vibrant red and green hues without watering down the dough.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure it’s softened to avoid lumps in the batter.
How to Make Holiday Sugar Cookie Cheesecake
🥄 Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the texture resembles wet sand. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
🧁 Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Filling
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the sour cream and flour until fully incorporated.
🌈 Step 3: Create the Sugar Cookie Swirl
Divide your sugar cookie dough into two portions. Add red food coloring to one and green to the other. Roll or pinch off small pieces and drop them evenly over the cheesecake batter once it’s poured into the pan.
Use a toothpick or butter knife to gently swirl the colors through the cheesecake.
🔥 Step 4: Bake & Chill
Bake the cheesecake for 35–40 minutes, or until the center is just set.
Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake sit inside with the door cracked open for 10 minutes.
Let it cool completely at room temp, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best texture.
🎀 Step 5: Garnish & Serve
Once chilled, top with whipped cream, extra cookie pieces, and holiday sugar cookies for decoration. Slice and serve!
Tips for Success
- Room Temperature Ingredients = smooth batter
- Don’t Overbake: Slight jiggle in the center is okay
- Use a Water Bath if you’re aiming for a super-smooth top (optional)
- Refrigerate Overnight for best texture and flavor infusion
- Chill Before Slicing: Clean slices come from a cold cheesecake and a hot knife!
Serving Suggestions
This festive dessert pairs wonderfully with:
- A mug of hot cocoa
- Classic eggnog or spiced cider
- A glass of milk with holiday sugar cookies on the side
Looking for more festive dessert ideas? Check out:
- Snow Globe Cookies – a beautiful project to wow your guests
- Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies – colorful and kid-approved
- Unicorn Poop Bark – a fun giftable treat
- Big Family Banana Pudding – ideal for feeding a holiday crowd
Storage & Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 5 days
- Freezer: Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 1 month
- Serving from frozen: Thaw in fridge overnight for best results
Final Thoughts
This Holiday Sugar Cookie Cheesecake is creamy, colorful, and filled with Christmas cheer. The swirling cookie dough gives it a fun and festive twist, making it perfect for holiday parties, potlucks, or gifting to friends.
Tag @chefmaniac if you make it—we’d love to see your holiday swirls in action! 🎅🍰✨
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