🎄 Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars
⏱️ Time
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Prep: 20 minutes
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Bake: 35–40 minutes
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Chill: 2–3 hours
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Total: ~3½ hours
🍽️ Makes
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12–16 bars
🛒 Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Crust
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1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
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2½ cups all-purpose flour
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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¼ teaspoon salt
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Holiday sprinkles (red & green)
Cheesecake Layer
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16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
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½ cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat & prepare pan
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
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In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
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Beat in egg and vanilla.
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In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined.
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Press about ⅔ of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the pan.
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Sprinkle lightly with holiday sprinkles.
4. Make cheesecake layer
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Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
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Add egg and vanilla; mix just until combined.
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Spread cheesecake mixture evenly over the cookie base.
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Crumble remaining cookie dough over the cheesecake layer.
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Gently press in and add more holiday sprinkles on top.
6. Bake
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Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and center is just set.
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Do not overbake—the center will firm up as it cools.
7. Cool & chill
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Let cool completely at room temperature.
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Refrigerate for 2–3 hours before slicing into bars.
🎁 Tips & Variations
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Add white chocolate chips to the cookie dough
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Swirl in raspberry or strawberry jam for a festive look
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Use almond extract for a sugar-cookie bakery flavor
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Drizzle with melted white chocolate after chilling
❄️ Storage
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Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
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Can be frozen for up to 2 months
