🎄 Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars
⏱️ Time
Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 35–40 minutes
Chill: 2–3 hours
Total: ~3½ hours
🍽️ Makes
12–16 bars
🛒 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.
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.
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.
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