Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Brace yourself for the best mashup of cookie and cheesecake goodness you’ve ever tasted! These Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies are the answer to your dessert daydreams: pillowy soft, extra rich from tangy cream cheese, and speckled all over with bursts of melty chocolate. Each bite is a delightful blend of classic chocolate chip sweetness and creamy cheesecake notes, making them impossible to resist. If you love surprising your friends and family with something special, this recipe is about to win a permanent spot in your treat rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies is how they transform simple, everyday ingredients into unforgettable cookies. Each element is essential, lending balance, structure, or a pop of flavor that makes every cookie feel like a mini celebration.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, softened): Gives these cookies their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and that classic bakery-fresh taste.
- Cream Cheese (4 ounces, softened): The star ingredient—adds creaminess and a distinct cheesecake tang that sets these cookies apart.
- Granulated Sugar (3/4 cup): Provides structure and sweetness, helping the cookies spread just the right amount.
- Brown Sugar (1/4 cup): Adds depth of flavor and a gentle caramel note, plus helps keep the cookies extra moist.
- Large Egg (1): Binds everything together and helps achieve that perfect chew.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Brings a warm, inviting aroma that pairs perfectly with cream cheese and chocolate.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 3/4 cups): Provides structure and the ideal cookie crumb.
- Baking Soda (1/2 teaspoon): Ensures the cookies rise just enough and aids their light, soft centers.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and makes all the flavors pop.
- Mini Chocolate Chips (1 cup): Ensures that every bite brings that irresistible chocolatey surprise without overpowering the cheesecake flavor.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking and perfectly golden cookies every time. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your cookies don’t stick and clean-up stays easy—no excuses not to bake another batch!
Step 2: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugars
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whip until the mixture is smooth, pale, and fluffy—this step incorporates air for light, plush cookies that will wow everyone.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is fully blended. You’re building up flavor and richness here, creating that perfect cheesecake-like base for your dough.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing dry ingredients separately ensures everything gets evenly distributed, so you don’t wind up with pockets of salt or lumps of flour in your Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined. Resist the urge to overmix—this is the secret to delightfully tender cookies.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Switch to a spatula and fold in your mini chocolate chips until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. Mini chips guarantee a perfect chocolate hit in every bite while letting that glorious cheesecake flavor shine.
Step 7: Portion Out and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each mound (the cookies will spread as they bake). Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft—this gives you perfectly chewy, creamy centers.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This little pause ensures your Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies have just the right texture from edge to center.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies
Garnishes
Dress up your Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or a sprinkle of extra mini chips on top. For a playful, cheesecake-inspired look, try a dollop of whipped cream or a few fresh berries right before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a tall, cold glass of milk (classic!), hot coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re feeling festive, serve alongside other easy finger desserts at a party—like fruit salad, chocolate truffles, or simple brownies—to create the ultimate sweet sampler.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack these beauties on a tiered dessert tray for an eye-catching centerpiece, or tuck a few into a decorative gift box for the perfect homemade present. For entertaining, sandwich two cookies together with a little sweetened cream cheese filling for the cutest cookie sandwiches ever!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. If you want to prolong their fresh flavor and soft centers, consider storing them in the fridge—just let them reach room temp before serving.
Freezing
To freeze, arrange the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer until firm. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll stay delicious for up to three months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls for future cravings—just add an extra minute or two to the bake time straight from the freezer.
Reheating
If you love a warm, gooey cookie, reheat one or two cookies in the microwave for about 10 to 12 seconds. This perks them right up, making the chips melty and the centers tender and soft, almost like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Why do you use cream cheese in Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies?
Cream cheese doesn’t just add incredible flavor—it transforms these cookies with a tangy richness and a silkier, moister crumb than regular chocolate chip cookies could ever deliver.
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of minis?
Absolutely! While mini chocolate chips scatter perfectly throughout every bite, regular chips create bigger pockets of chocolate bliss. So go with your favorite or whatever you have on hand—it’s all delicious.
How do I keep my cookies extra soft?
Be careful not to overbake—the cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when you take them out, finishing up as they cool. Also, storing in an airtight container and adding a slice of bread inside helps preserve moisture longer.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free baking blend (make sure it contains xanthan gum for structure). Check your other ingredients for gluten, and enjoy virtually the same melt-in-your-mouth results.
What’s the best way to freeze the dough?
Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. You can bake them straight from frozen—just add a minute or two to your bake time—so you have fresh Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies whenever a craving hits.
Final Thoughts
You owe it to yourself to bake these Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies at least once—though I guarantee you’ll end up making them again and again! With their dreamy creamy centers and just the right amount of chocolate, they’re pure cookie happiness worth sharing. Happy baking!
Print
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the perfect combination of chocolate chip cookies and creamy cheesecake with these delectable Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies. Soft, chewy, and utterly delicious, these cookies are a must-try for any dessert lover.
Ingredients
Cheesecake Cookie Dough:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins:
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
- Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set and centers are slightly underbaked.
- Cool and enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra texture, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
