Name: Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies: A Festive Holiday Cookie With a Creamy Surprise
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 teaspoon cardamom powder; 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel seeds; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter; 8 tablespoons brown sugar; 3/4 cup dulce de leche (for filling)

Description

These festive spiced chai shortbread sandwiches taste like sweet masala chai in cookie form, filled with creamy dulce de leche. Perfectly spiced, buttery, and ideal for holiday baking or gifting.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cardamom powder
1/4 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter
8 tablespoons brown sugar
3/4 cup dulce de leche (for filling)

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Instructions

Sift the flour into a large bowl. Add all ground spices and salt. Whisk well and set aside.
In a stand mixer bowl (or bowl with hand mixer), cream butter and brown sugar for 2–3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
Add flour mixture in parts, mixing on low just until combined. Dough will be slightly crumbly.
Bring dough together on a floured surface into a soft ball. Divide in two, flatten, and wrap in ziplock bags or cling film. Refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days.
Remove dough from fridge 30 minutes before rolling. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Roll dough between floured parchment to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut 3-inch round cookies. For half the cookies, cut out a 1-inch center shape for the sandwich tops.
Transfer cookies to sheets using a floured spatula. Ensure equal numbers of tops and bottoms.
Gather scraps and repeat until all dough is used.
Bake 8–10 minutes until lightly golden on the edges. Cool 5–7 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a rack.
Cool completely. Spread 1 tablespoon dulce de leche on bottom cookies and sandwich with top cookies.
Store in a single layer to prevent sticking.

Notes

You can use store-bought chai masala or grind your own spices.
Always use softened butter for best texture.
Resting the dough overnight enhances spice flavor.
Remove cookies from oven while still soft—they crisp as they cool.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert, Cookies
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American, Indian