Festive Christmas Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Christmas Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful treat featuring a buttery sugar cookie base, a luscious cheesecake filling, and topped with festive holiday sprinkles! These bars are the perfect addition to your Christmas cookie platters or as a sweet holiday gift.
What makes these Christmas Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Bars so irresistible? It’s the combination of textures and flavors! The soft, chewy sugar cookie crust provides a comforting base, while the creamy cheesecake filling adds a tangy sweetness that perfectly complements the cookie. And let’s not forget the sprinkles! They add a pop of color and a festive touch that screams “Christmas!”
Best of all, these festive bars are incredibly EASY to make! With just a handful of ingredients and a short baking time, you can whip up a batch in no time. They’re perfect for last-minute holiday gatherings or when you need a quick and easy dessert to impress your friends and family.
Ingredients for Perfect Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Bars
Here’s what you’ll need to create these magical Christmas Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Bars:
- Sugar Cookie Dough: One 16.5-ounce refrigerated tube of sugar cookie dough. This serves as both the crust and the topping. You can also use your favorite homemade recipe.
- Egg: One large egg. This helps bind the cheesecake filling together, creating a smooth and creamy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: One tablespoon of pure vanilla extract. This adds warmth and enhances the flavors of both the cookie and cheesecake layers.
- Cream Cheese: Eight ounces of cream cheese, softened to room temperature. Ensure it’s soft to avoid lumps in your filling.
- Powdered Sugar: One-quarter cup of powdered sugar. This sweetens the cheesecake filling while keeping it smooth, as it dissolves more easily than granulated sugar.
- Holiday Sprinkles: Festive holiday sprinkles! These provide color, texture, and a delightful Christmas touch. You’ll mix some into the top cookie dough layer and add more on top after baking.
Let’s dive deeper into why each of these ingredients is so important:
Sugar Cookie Dough: While you could certainly make your own from scratch, using refrigerated dough saves time and effort. Look for a good quality dough that bakes up soft and chewy. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a different flavor, like gingerbread or chocolate chip cookie dough!
Egg: The egg acts as a binding agent, holding the cheesecake filling together. It also contributes to the creamy texture. Don’t skip it!
Vanilla Extract: A good quality vanilla extract makes all the difference. It adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile. If you’re feeling fancy, try using vanilla bean paste instead.
Cream Cheese: This is the star of the cheesecake filling! Make sure it’s fully softened to room temperature before mixing. This will ensure a smooth and lump-free filling. Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the best flavor and texture.
Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar, also known as confectioners’ sugar, is preferred over granulated sugar because it dissolves more easily, resulting in a smoother cheesecake filling.
Holiday Sprinkles: The sprinkles are what make these bars truly festive! Use a mix of colors and shapes for the most visually appealing result. You can even customize the sprinkles to match your holiday theme!
Essential Tips for Baking Perfect Sugar Cookie Bars
Want to ensure your Christmas Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Bars are a resounding success? Follow these helpful tips:
- Soften Ingredients: Let the cream cheese and cookie dough sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before mixing. This makes blending and spreading much easier and prevents lumps in the cheesecake filling.
- Line Your Pan with Parchment Paper: This is a game-changer for easy removal and clean slicing. Simply lift the parchment paper out of the pan, and your bars are ready to be cut!
- Cool Completely Before Cutting: This is crucial! The cheesecake layer needs time to set properly. Cooling (or even chilling) helps the bars hold their shape for neat, clean squares. Patience is key!
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly bars. Bake just until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is set.
- Get Creative with Toppings: In addition to sprinkles, you can top these bars with chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or a drizzle of melted chocolate.
How to Store Cheesecake Cookie Bars
Proper storage is essential to maintaining the freshness and flavor of your Christmas Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Bars.
Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to keep them fresh and soft. The refrigerator will help them maintain their shape and prevent the cheesecake filling from becoming too soft.
If you’d like to save them for longer, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Bars can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Pro Tip: Cut the bars into individual servings before freezing. This way, you can easily grab a single bar whenever you crave a sweet treat!
Christmas Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
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Ingredients
- 16.5 oz sugar cookie dough refrigerated tube
- 1 egg
- 1 TBSP vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- holiday sprinkles
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat an 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking dish with non-stick baking spray. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
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Cheesecake filling: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese, egg, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
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Divide the sugar cookie dough in half. Press half of the dough into the bottom of your prepared pan to form an even layer. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to spread it out evenly. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cookie dough base and spread it evenly to the edges.
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Gently mix 1-2 tablespoons of holiday sprinkles with the remaining cookie dough. Flatten small pieces of the dough into discs and arrange them over the cheesecake filling, covering as much of the surface as possible. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly covered; the sprinkles will add a festive touch regardless!
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Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top begins to turn a light golden brown. The cheesecake filling should be set but still slightly jiggly in the center. Let cool completely before adding additional sprinkles, slicing, and serving. Enjoy your delicious Christmas Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Bars!
Notes
Bars can be frozen for up to 2 months.