Name: Christmas Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 36 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz cream cheese room temperature; 1/2 cup butter room temperature; 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Red and green food coloring; 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract; Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 21 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a festive, melt-in-your-mouth treat this season, you’re going to adore this Christmas Cheesecake Cookies Recipe. These cookies combine the rich creaminess of cheesecake with the cozy charm of holiday flavors, creating a delightful marbled effect in red and green that’ll instantly put you in the festive spirit. Stick with me—I’ll share everything you need to know so your batch turns out perfectly every time, and maybe a few secrets I’ve picked up while making these for holiday parties and cozy evenings at home.

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Why This Recipe Works

Creamy Texture: The cream cheese and butter blend creates a uniquely soft and chewy cookie that feels like cheesecake in every bite.
Festive Flavors: Peppermint and vanilla infuse holiday spirit with just the right amount of minty freshness and warmth.
Marbled Magic: The red and green doughs swirl together without overmixing, making each cookie look like a little Christmas masterpiece.
Simple Prep: With common ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is approachable for any skill level during the busy season.

Christmas Cheesecake Cookies, holiday cheesecake cookies, festive cheesecake cookies, peppermint cheesecake cookies, marbled holiday cookies - This image shows a baking tray lined with a beige silicone mat that holds eight round cookie dough balls. Each ball has three swirled colors: green, red, and white, giving a marbled effect. The dough balls are spaced evenly, with a slightly rough texture on top and smooth sides. The tray has a silver metal edge and a red silicone border around the baking mat. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients for this Christmas Cheesecake Cookies Recipe are a charming combo that balances richness, structure, and holiday flair. Knowing a bit about each helps you pick the best products and understand their role in your baking success.

Cream Cheese: Use full-fat and softened for that smooth, creamy base flavor and luxurious texture.
Butter: Also softened, it blends with cream cheese for richness and tenderness.
Granulated Sugar: This sweetens but also helps create that slightly crisp edge on the cookies.
Eggs: They bind everything nicely and help the cookies rise just enough.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavor beautifully.
Flour: Provides structure, but be careful not to overmix—this keeps cookies tender.
Baking Powder: Lightens the dough, so cookies aren’t dense.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Food Coloring (Red & Green): Festive touches that bring beautiful marbled color, so pick vibrant gels for best results.
Peppermint Extract: Just a hint adds that classic Christmas coolness, especially lovely in the green dough.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite parts about this Christmas Cheesecake Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want to dial up the peppermint or switch the vanilla for something a bit zestier, it’s all fair game!

Variation: Sometimes I swap the peppermint extract for orange extract to get a fresh twist that still feels festive—it’s unexpected but so good!
Dietary Modifications: You can try using a dairy-free cream cheese and vegan butter substitute if you want a plant-based version, although the texture might be a bit different.
Colorful Fun: Instead of just red and green, try adding a splash of gold or silver edible glitter for an extra holiday sparkle that kids love.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Key Ingredients

First up: beat the softened cream cheese and butter on high speed until the mixture is fluffy and smooth, usually about 1-2 minutes. This part is crucial—it sets the stage for those tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, so don’t rush it! Then add the sugar and beat again until everything’s light and fully combined. It helps to scrape down the bowl once or twice to get an even texture.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract for about a minute. This adds moisture and flavor. I find using room temperature eggs helps the dough come together easily without seizing up or getting lumpy.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Here’s the trick: avoid over-mixing! Overworking the dough develops gluten, leading to tougher cookies. Stir until you see no more flour streaks, then stop.

Step 4: Chill and Color Your Dough

Divide the dough into three portions and chill for 15 minutes. This rest helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle. Once chilled, add food coloring—red for one, green plus peppermint extract for another, and leave the third plain if you like. Mix just until the color is even but don’t overwork the dough because you want those pretty marbled swirls later on.

Step 5: Form Your Cookies

Grab about half a tablespoon from each color and gently roll them together between your palms to create a marbled effect. Be careful not to overmix — you want distinct swirls, not a muddled blob. Place them spaced out on lined baking sheets.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake at 350°F for 10-11 minutes. Look for cookies that stay light in color on top but are just starting to brown on the bottoms. Pull them out before they get too dark — overbaking dries them out, which is a no-go. Let cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully.

Pro Tips for Making Christmas Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

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Use Softened, Not Melted Ingredients: If your cream cheese or butter gets too warm, the dough can become too sticky, making it tough to work with.
Chill Dough Thoroughly: Those 15 minutes in the fridge make shaping the marbled dough so much easier and prevent colors from blending too much.
Watch Your Oven Closely: Every oven bakes differently, so start checking your cookies at 9 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Avoid Overmixing the Dough: Less stirring = tender, delicate cookies. Patience is your friend here!

How to Serve Christmas Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I personally love dusting these cookies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar — it looks like a fresh winter snow that adds a gentle sweetness. Sometimes, I top a few with festive sprinkles or even a tiny drizzle of melted white chocolate for a little extra holiday glam.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa or peppermint-spiced coffee. For a party, I like to set them alongside some fresh fruit and nut platters to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I arrange them on a wooden board interspersed with pine sprigs, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks—it’s simple, festive, and gets everyone into the Christmas spirit before the first bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I find these cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container on the countertop for up to a week. Keeping them sealed well ensures they stay soft and moist—a treat you can enjoy all season long without stress.

Freezing

Freezing is a great option if you want to bake ahead for holiday parties. I freeze them in a single layer first to avoid sticking, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to three months. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temp — they taste just like fresh!

Reheating

If you want to refresh a cookie, I pop it in the microwave for about 10 seconds or heat briefly in a low oven. It revives that soft, cheesecake-like texture beautifully.

FAQs

Can I make this Christmas Cheesecake Cookies Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough can be mixed and colored a day ahead and kept refrigerated. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months, making holiday prep a breeze.
What if I don’t have peppermint extract?

No worries—peppermint is optional. You can omit it or substitute with vanilla or almond extract for a different but delicious flavor twist.
Why are my Christmas Cheesecake Cookies dry?

Most likely, they were baked too long or overmixed. Keep an eye on your oven and stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are incorporated to keep them tender and moist.
How do I get the marbled effect without the colors mixing too much?

Roll the colored doughs gently together—avoid kneading or pressing too hard. The goal is to swirl, not blend, so stop once you see pretty streaks of both colors.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cheesecake Cookies Recipe has quickly become a holiday favorite in my kitchen. It’s special because it delivers that comforting cheesecake flavor in a fun, handheld cookie form — perfect for gifting, cookie swaps, or just nibbling with a cup of tea. I hope this recipe fills your home with the same warmth and joy it brings me every season. Go on, give it a try, and watch your friends and family fall in love bite after bite!