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🎄 Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 20 minutes
- Bake: 35–40 minutes
- Chill: 2–3 hours
- Total: ~3½ hours
🍽️ Makes
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Holiday sprinkles (red & green)
Cheesecake Layer
- 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat & prepare pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
2. Make the sugar cookie dough
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined.
3. Press cookie base
- Press about ⅔ of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the pan.
- Sprinkle lightly with holiday sprinkles.
4. Make cheesecake layer
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add egg and vanilla; mix just until combined.
- Spread cheesecake mixture evenly over the cookie base.
5. Add cookie topping
- Crumble remaining cookie dough over the cheesecake layer.
- Gently press in and add more holiday sprinkles on top.
6. Bake
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and center is just set.
- Do not overbake—the center will firm up as it cools.
7. Cool & chill
- Let cool completely at room temperature.
- Refrigerate for 2–3 hours before slicing into bars.
Tips & Variations
- Add white chocolate chips to the cookie dough
- Swirl in raspberry or strawberry jam for a festive look
- Use almond extract for a sugar-cookie bakery flavor
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate after chilling
Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
- Can be frozen for up to 2 months
