Things you should know:

1. A guy doesn’t make you a sweater with working Christmas lights unless he kinda likes you. He just doesn’t.

2.You don’t have to sing well as long as you sing loudly and enthusiastically. The people you live with may pretend to disagree with this statement, but they’re just trying to hoard the fun. Disregard them.

3. A dog will never win an Ugly Christmas Sweater competition because any sweater becomes 100% adorable when placed on a dog.

4. Serving hot chocolate to 75 middle school students is a manageable task until the bottom falls out of one of the cups. Then things get dicey.

5. Trader Joe’s cocoa truffles are pure insanity. I just ate approximately 8 billion of them and I can’t even muster up some shame.

6. Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas is You is the best Christmas song ever. Except for the ones about Jesus obviously, because even Mariah cannot compete.

7. Despite vivid memories of walking through Washington D.C. in the freezing rain with holey (not to be confused with holy, which would be kind of cool) shoes a few years ago, I cannot convince myself to purchase shoes more regularly. However, when my shoes basically disintegrated recently, I did finally visit the shoe store. I have a new pair of flats and some fluffy bootlike thingies. And warmer feet.

8. Peppermint is gross. I’m sorry that I’m not baking you crazies all sorts of peppermint things, but . . . I just can’t get into that mess. It’s like straight up eating toothpaste. Ew.

9. There is nothing sweeter than a freshly bathed, blow-dried pup (after they’ve done the whole run-around-the-house-like-a-banshee thing and calmed down, of course). They’re almost sweet enough to make you forget about the ginormous mess they created that made the bath necessary. Almost.

10. Christmas is the perfect excuse to eat loads of cookies, as if you needed one.


11. Present wrapping tip: plain brown paper and some hemp string or lace makes for a pretty parcel.
You can even reuse some old paper grocery bags.

These Gingersnap Cheesecake Stuffed Snickerdoodles were modeled after my Pumpkin Cheesecake Stuffed Snickerdoodles. They were so delicious that I had to make a Christmas version! The dense gingersnap middles are sweet, spicy, and delicious inside the pillowy snickerdoodles.

These cookies are insane on their own, but I may have heated up a couple and eaten them over vanilla ice cream, and it may have been amazing. I think you should try it and see for yourself.

Gingersnap Cheesecake Stuffed Snickerdoodles


Recipe by: Willow Bird Baking, using cookies adapted from Sunset, 1998 via Bakergirl
Yield: 30-35 large cookies

Delicious gingersnap cheesecake truffles are enveloped in a pillowy snickerdoodle. These cookies are filled with holiday cheer and perfect for a cookie swap (or for hoarding and devouring beside the Christmas tree). Heat them before serving for maximum enjoyment, and I won’t judge you if you decide to serve them over a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Snickerdoodle Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
2 large eggs
4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon cinnamon for rolling cookies

Gingersnap Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:
2 cups white chocolate chips (about 10 ounces)
3 cups finely ground gingersnaps
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
4 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

Directions:
Make the gingersnap cheesecake filling: Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave on half power. Start with 1 minute and stir. Continue to heat the chocolate in 15 second intervals, stirring well after each to aid the melting, until it is smooth (be careful not to overheat). Transfer this to a shallow pan to cool until just warm (but not until hardened).

In the meantime, mix gingersnap crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, ginger, cinnamon, salt, cloves, and cream cheese together. Add the white chocolate and mix well until thoroughly combined. Transfer the mixture to the fridge while you make the snickerdoodle dough.

Make snickerdoodle dough: Mix together the butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and eggs in a large bowl. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Add the flour mixture into the butter mixture in 3-4 additions, mixing until just combined between each. Place the finished dough in the refrigerator to chill. While the cookie dough chills, roll gingersnap mixture into balls and place the balls on a wax paper lined baking sheet. Cover, and chill until firm (about 1 hour).

In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup granulated sugar and cinnamon. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Take a few gingersnap balls out of the fridge at a time to work in small batches (so they stay firm). Scoop out about a tablespoon of chilled cookie dough. Press a frozen gingersnap cheesecake ball into the center, then cover with another bit of dough, working the dough around the whole ball. Roll the ball in cinnamon-sugar (which will make the soft dough easier to handle, so you can firm up the shape here) and place it on a greased baking sheet. Repeat the process, placing cookies 2-3 inches apart. If cookie dough gets too soft, re-chill it for a bit and continue working. I made sure to stick it back in the fridge during any downtime (like when I had some cookies in the oven).

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until edges are slightly browned. Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before removing them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge, reheating for 30 seconds to a minute before eating. Serve a few hot cookies over vanilla ice cream for a special treat!

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by | 44 Comments

44 Comments on Gingersnap Cheesecake Stuffed Snickerdoodles

  1. Amanda
    December 19, 2011 at 1:01 pm (13 years ago)

    These are kind of insane, in the best possible way. Combining cheesecake and cookies is always a good idea, and then adding ice cream? Wow.

    Reply
  2. Tina@flourtrader
    December 19, 2011 at 1:08 pm (13 years ago)

    The things to know was a good read. The bottom falling out of the cup I am sure made you wonder how many of those 75 would be experiencing that faulty manufacturing!
    These cookies are deliciousness times two. I love snickerdoodles and the bonus of the filling inside would really get me addicted. Your lovely picture does tempt. Thanks for sharing this one-yum!

    Reply
    • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
      December 19, 2011 at 1:35 pm (13 years ago)

      Thanks, Tina! You better believe after the bottom fell out (literally!) we were transferring all the cocoa mix into different cups *just in case*! LOL!

      Reply
  3. Lauren at Keep It Sweet
    December 19, 2011 at 2:07 pm (13 years ago)

    1) I am in love with these cookies and 2) your photos just keep getting better and better!

    Reply
  5. Silvia
    December 19, 2011 at 2:50 pm (13 years ago)

    For more than a week I’m totally keeping to N2, but unfortunately I’m stuck to the song from N6, maybe I need another song, for a change, he he 🙂
    Wonderful cookies!

    Reply
    • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
      December 19, 2011 at 3:33 pm (13 years ago)

      LOL, Silvia, I’m RIGHT THERE WITH YA. We’re Christmas carol twins, apparently. Thanks 😉

      Reply
  6. DessertForTwo
    December 19, 2011 at 2:54 pm (13 years ago)

    Oh Julie! You always come up with such creative and delicious treats!! I want 10 of theses! I’ll share, I promise…

    🙂

    Reply
  7. Jenn
    December 19, 2011 at 5:02 pm (13 years ago)

    Oh wow. I concur with #9, our pup is adorable after she finishes the bolting throughout the house and trying to get everything in sight wet after a bath. Then she’s just pleased to be clean.

    Reply
  8. Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
    December 19, 2011 at 6:12 pm (13 years ago)

    Julie, I completely agree with all of these things…except for #1 (it’s never happened to me before…sad face), and #8 (I love peppermint). But#6, heck yes! And I laughed out loud at #7…I was Christmas shopping at the mall on the weekend and was wearing the most worn-out, beat-up pair of sneakers that you ever did see. The shoes actually had holes, but I just couldn’t stop wearing them! Anyways, when the sole practically fell off as I was shopping my heart out admidst the throngs of bustling people, I caved and bought myself a new pair of shoes, immediately put them on, and chucked my old sneakers into a mall garbage can. It was kinda liberating… 🙂
    Merry Christmas to you, Mike, and Byrd!

    Reply
    • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
      December 21, 2011 at 3:31 am (13 years ago)

      I love it! That reminds me of my Washington D.C. incident. I didn’t want to spend the money, but finally broke down and bought some furry $40 clog-type things. I promptly threw my other shoes in the garbage! It did feel GREAT!

      Reply
  9. natalie (the sweets life)
    December 19, 2011 at 8:22 pm (13 years ago)

    YUM! i’m done with Christmas baking, but these may just have to be a “January wintery cookie” that I make because they look that good!

    ps. i think you owe us some ugly Christmas sweater pics 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
      December 21, 2011 at 3:31 am (13 years ago)

      LOL, Taylor Mathis just posted an excellent one of his ugly sweater from the Charlotte Food Bloggers meetup. Too funny!

      Reply
  10. FallsconsMate
    December 19, 2011 at 8:41 pm (13 years ago)

    i’ll add that my granny saved the sunday comic pages to wrap presents in. AND she was insanity personified in the amount of TAPE she put on packages, so that NO ONE could sneak a peek. every last seam was sealed. good memories! 😀

    i’m enjoying christmas goodies via everyone else this year. (yay diabetes) my command is this: “ok, eat the next bite for me and tell me JUST how much i enjoyed it!” (some of my cousins can get dang near pornographic in describing how good a chocolate truffle is, and i think its hilarious!)

    happy holidays! (and i’m switching back and forth between celtic christmas, TSO, and bagpipe carols. i’m liking more non-singing stuff this year.)

    Reply
    • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
      December 21, 2011 at 3:32 am (13 years ago)

      Ooh, I want some bagpipe carols! That’s on the to-download list 😉 I love your granny memories! Too sweet!

      Reply
  11. Rosendito
    December 19, 2011 at 9:38 pm (13 years ago)

    Can’t eat that, but I can sure fantasize about eating it…lol. Looks divine!

    Reply
  12. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
    December 19, 2011 at 11:00 pm (13 years ago)

    #3: No question. #5 Is there anything they sell that is not horribly addictive? #9 The fluffiness also makes you forget about all the new freshly laundered hair that is all over your carpet, sofa, and walls from said flinging around…until you notice your bathroom walls smeared with the stuff. 🙂 These cookies are amazing! Pinning them for sure. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Joanne
    December 20, 2011 at 2:06 am (13 years ago)

    It’s true…you could put any really ugly item of clothing on a puppy and it would instantly be fashion-forward and adorable.

    You could also put cheesecake in any cookie and make it instantly my favorite. Case in point.

    Reply
  14. Sandra
    December 20, 2011 at 4:48 am (13 years ago)

    Thanks for recipe and the insanely funny list! Merry Christmas.

    Reply
  15. Migle
    December 20, 2011 at 12:42 pm (13 years ago)

    What an amazing idea! 🙂

    Reply
  16. mrsblocko
    December 20, 2011 at 9:28 pm (13 years ago)

    Hot damn, these look rockin awesome.

    Reply
  17. Jenni
    December 21, 2011 at 3:07 am (13 years ago)

    Um, whoa. These cookies are awesome!

    Reply
  19. Anna
    December 11, 2012 at 10:05 am (12 years ago)

    Last christmas I made only the filling because I the dough didn’t work out like i wanted to, anyway i covered the cheescake-balls in chocolate and they were heaven! But do you have an idea how long one can store them? I wanted to do the same this year but i planned to make them in advance:) thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!

    Reply
  20. Alex
    December 18, 2012 at 3:50 am (12 years ago)

    Hi there!

    If I wanted to make half of these as JUST snickerdoodles, would I need to make any adaptations to the recipe or directions?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
      December 18, 2012 at 1:21 pm (12 years ago)

      I don’t think so, Alex! Just watch the baking time and take them out when they have a bit of color around the edges.

      Reply
  21. Samantha
    December 28, 2013 at 10:08 pm (11 years ago)

    I made only the snickerdoodle part of this recipe, but the results were fabulous! Fluffy and cinnamon-y– best snickerdoodle I’ve ever made. I’m serving them for a family party tomorrow and really hope everyone gobbles them up. Thanks for the great recipe! 🙂

    Reply

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