Easy Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

In this recipe, I’ll Walk you through everything you need to know about making these cookies, from understanding why cream cheese is the star ingredient to sharing the secrets for baking the perfect batch.

By the end, you’ll have all the tips and tricks to make your own soft, chewy, and delicious cream cheese chocolate chip cookies.

So, stick with me.

Why These Cookies Deserve a Try

What sets cream cheese chocolate chip cookies apart, is their perfect balance of flavors and textures. They’re soft, chewy, and stuffed with melty chocolate for each bite. 

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, I am confident that these cookies are sure to impress.

So why wait? Grab your mixing bowl and get started. Your kitchen will shortly be filled with the smell of freshly baked cookies.

And when you take that first bite, you’ll know that adding cream cheese was the best decision you made today. For another bold and irresistible twist, don’t miss my caramel chip cookies!

Cream Cheese Makes All the Difference

Cream cheese isn’t just for bagels and cheesecakes. When added to cookie dough, it works wonders by introducing extra moisture and fat, which leads to a softer, chewy texture. 

Unlike butter alone, cream cheese helps the cookies stay tender even after a few days.

A Flavor Boost Like No Other

Beyond texture, cream cheese adds a subtle tang that complements the sweetness of chocolate chips perfectly. It’s the kind of flavor that makes people take another bite and wonder, What’s your secret ingredient?

Key Ingredients for Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies 

Before diving into the baking process, let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients you’ll be using. Each one plays an important role in creating cookies that are both delicious and picture-perfect.

Ingredient Rundown:

Ingredients for cream cheese chocolate chip cookies on white table including cream cheese, brown sugar, unsalted butter, egg, vanilla, granulated sugar, salt, baking soda, flour, and chocolate chips.
  • Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for the richest and the best results.
  • Butter: Adds richness and flavor. Use unsalted butter which makes the salt level in control.
    ▸You may be wondering which fat makes the best chocolate chip cookies? In this recipe I highly recommend using butter to get the rich, buttery, and chewy texture.
  • Brown Sugar: The molasses in brown sugar enhances the chewiness and gives a slight caramel flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with structure.
  • Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips work best to balance the tanginess of the cream cheese.
  • All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of your cookie dough, giving it structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors, making them more pronounced.

Note: This is just a quick rundown of the ingredients I used and why, to find all the details and measurements, simply scroll down to the recipe card!

Tips for Ingredient Selection

Always use room-temperature cream cheese and butter. This ensures they cream together smoothly, which is key for light, fluffy cookies.

Try combining chocolate chips and chunks, The variety of textures adds an extra layer of indulgence.

How to Bake Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ready to roll up your sleeves? Follow these simple steps to whip up a batch of soft and chewy cookies that’ll have everyone begging for more.

step 1: Mix the Magic

In a mixing bowl, start by mixing together the softened cream cheese, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. The creation of a smooth dough depends on this step.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.

Step 2: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

Now I want you to grab another bowl, and start by mixing together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually incorporate this dry mixture into the wet ingredients and give it a mix now (gently) until it’s all combined.

Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so go easy!

Step 3: Add the Stars of the Show

Carefully fold in the chocolate chips, mixing gently to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough, so every bite is packed with chocolatey goodness.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

yeah, the most important step for me, I want you to Chill the dough for at least 1 hours or a little bit less. This step helps keep the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

and that’s why your cream cheese chocolate chip cookies are going to be memorable.

Step 5: Bake Time

Since the dough needs to chill for 1 hours, wait until the last 10 minutes to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready when you are, this helps your cookies bake evenly, rise nicely, and turn out just right.

Make sure to prepare your baking sheets with a layer of parchment paper for easy, mess-free baking. This will prevent the dough from sticking, ensuring your cookies come off easily and maintain their shape.

Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them on your prepared baking sheet.

Place the cookies in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t overbake, as every oven can be a little different. The centers might still look a bit soft, that’s totally fine! They’ll set perfectly as they cool down.

Final result of cream cheese chocolate chip cookies on parchment paper.

Important note: Avoid overbaking the cookies. They will continue to cook inside as they cool to room temperature, so keep them soft.

Tips for Storing and Serving Your Cookies

Now that you’ve baked the perfect batch, let’s talk about how to keep them fresh and make them even more enjoyable.

Storage Tips

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay fresh for up to five days. This helps keep them soft, and tasty so you can enjoy them day after day.

For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to three months.

Serving Suggestions

Warm the cookies slightly in the microwave before serving for that fresh-from-the-oven feel.

Pair them with a cold glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert, you know what to do!

FAQs About Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Q: Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

If you want the best texture and also flavor, I recommend using full-fat cream cheese.

While low-fat options are also can work, but they can make the cookies less rich and soft. Full-fat cream cheese will give you the best results, creating a deliciously creamy texture, trust me!

Q: Why didn’t my cookies spread?

Chilled dough naturally spreads less. If you prefer flatter cookies, you can skip the chilling step, but please note that they may bake up slightly differently.

I do recommend chilling the dough for about 1 hours, so you can get thick and chewy cream cheese chocolate chip cookies.

Q: Can I customize these cookies?

Absolutely! Add chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, or maybe M&M’s to make the recipe your own.

Q: Why are my cookies turning out cakey instead of chewy?

Cookies can turn out cakey if you use too much flour or mix the dough too much. To avoid this, measure the flour carefully and stop mixing as soon as everything is combined.

Thank you💚

A stack of cream cheese chocolate chip cookies on a white plate, with the top one having a bite taken out.

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies: Soft and Chewy

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Cream cheese chocolate chip cookies take your typical cookie experience to a whole new level. These cookies combine the timeless comfort of chocolate chips with the tangy richness of cream cheese, resulting in a texture that’s irresistibly soft and chewy.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup 60 ml cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup 230 grams unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150 grams) brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 and ¼ cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 and ¼ cups (375 grams) chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Let’s begin by making sure all your ingredients are gathered, measured, and ready to use before you start baking.
  2. In a mixing bowl, start by mixing together the softened cream cheese, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  3. You can use a hand mixer, but I recommend using stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
  4. Then, go ahead and start by adding the large egg and vanilla extract, mix it well until everything looks smooth.
  5. Now you need to grab another separate bowl and start whisking together the flour, the baking soda and the salt. This helps mix them evenly throughout the flour.
  6. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients: Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, a little at a time. Mix gently until everything is combined. Please keep in mind not to overmix, as this can make your cookies dense.
  7. Chocolate Chips: Add the chocolate chips to the dough and give it a good mix, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout. This will ensure that each cookie has a rich, chocolatey flavor in every bite.
  8. Shape the cookies: Use a spoon or cookie scoop to form small dough balls, about the size of a tablespoon. Make sure to prepare your baking sheets with a layer of parchment paper.
  9. Bake: Go ahead and put the cookies in the oven for 10 minutes, or until the edges are a lovely golden brown. This will ensure they’re fully cooked through while maintaining a soft and tender center.
  10. Cool: all done! Before anything else, I highly recommend letting the beautiful cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Once they’ve firmed up a bit, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Cookie Texture Tip: For softer and chewier cookies, make sure not to overmix the dough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined and be careful not to overbake them.
  • Flavor Variation: Try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or a splash of almond extract to the dough for a unique and interesting twist on the classic flavor
  • For Extra Richness: Try using cream cheese that’s a little colder for a firmer dough that creates thicker cookies.

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 210 kcalTotal Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 85mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 2g

Nutritional information is provided as a general guideline and is calculated using standard online tools. Variations may occur depending on the specific ingredients and methods used.

Hi There

I’m here to share my passion for baking with you, providing simple and direct recipes that anyone can enjoy baking at home, from amazing cookies and rich, fluffy cakes to delicious brownies and breakfast treats.

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