The secret to these heavenly Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies lies in the luxurious cream cheese folded into the dough. It gives every bite a rich, tender texture that pairs beautifully with pockets of melty chocolate chips. These cookies are perfect for when you’re craving something decadent but comforting.
Whether you’re baking for a party, sharing with friends, or enjoying a quiet evening in, these cookies will become your go-to recipe. They’re easy to make, consistently soft, and packed with flavor. And yes – chilling the dough really does make all the difference. Happy baking!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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¼ cup full-fat cream cheese, softened
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¾ cup brown sugar, packed
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
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2¼ cups all-purpose flour
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2 teaspoons cornstarch
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon salt
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1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
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In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth.
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Add brown sugar and granulated sugar, beating until fluffy.
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Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
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Fold in chocolate chips gently with a spatula.
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Cover the dough and chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight for best results).
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
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Bake for 9-11 minutes, until edges are set and centers still look soft.
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Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Chill Time: 2 hours | Baking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Kcal: 180 kcal | Servings: 24 cookies
Why Cream Cheese in Cookies?
If you’ve never tried adding cream cheese to your cookie dough, you’re in for a game-changing surprise. Cream cheese doesn’t just make cheesecake creamy and luscious; it also adds incredible softness and subtle tang to baked goods. In this cookie recipe, the cream cheese helps achieve a thick, tender texture that stays soft for days. It gives each bite a rich, slightly creamy mouthfeel that balances the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the chocolate chips.
Cream cheese cookies are often described as a hybrid between a traditional chocolate chip cookie and a soft sugar cookie. The tang of the cream cheese enhances the overall depth of flavor, while the extra fat in the cream cheese keeps the cookies from spreading too thin and becoming crunchy. The result? A bakery-quality cookie with a perfect balance of chewiness, moisture, and flavor.
What Makes These Cookies Different?
Most classic chocolate chip cookie recipes rely heavily on butter and eggs for texture and flavor. This one stands out for a few unique reasons:
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Softness that lasts: Thanks to the cream cheese, the cookies remain pillow-soft even a couple of days after baking, perfect for make-ahead treats.
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No need for chilling (optional): While chilling the dough is highly recommended to enhance flavor and control spread, it’s not mandatory. The dough is firm enough that it bakes well right after mixing, ideal for impromptu cookie cravings.
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Minimal spread: If you like thick, chunky cookies with gooey centers, this recipe is for you. The cookies hold their shape beautifully in the oven.
The Science Behind the Ingredients
Understanding how each ingredient contributes to the final cookie helps you bake with more confidence and gives you room to adapt and customize in the future.
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Butter & Cream Cheese: Butter brings that classic rich, buttery flavor while the cream cheese softens the crumb and adds just a hint of tang.
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Brown & White Sugar: A mix of both sugars gives you the best of both worlds, chewiness from brown sugar and crispness from white sugar. Brown sugar also helps retain moisture in the cookie, keeping it soft longer.
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Cornstarch: A small amount of cornstarch is often added to cookie recipes to achieve that melt-in-your-mouth softness. It helps bind the dough gently without making it tough.
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All-purpose flour: Offers the structure and holds everything together. Too much flour can result in dry cookies, so it’s important to measure carefully.
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Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are the classic go-to, offering just enough sweetness without overpowering the creamy dough. You could substitute with dark, milk, or even white chocolate based on your preference.
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Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors and brings out the warm, home-baked aroma we all love.
Tips for Perfect Results Every Time
Even the best recipes can fall flat if not executed with care. Here are some pro tips for getting it right every time:
1. Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese
Low-fat or spreadable cream cheese can add too much moisture and affect the texture. Stick to full-fat blocks of cream cheese for best results.
2. Room Temperature Ingredients
This helps the butter and cream cheese cream properly and blend smoothly with the sugars. Cold ingredients can cause clumps and uneven dough texture.
3. Don’t Overmix
Once the flour is added, be gentle with the dough. Overmixing can develop too much gluten and lead to dense cookies.
4. Chill the Dough (if you can)
Though optional, chilling for at least 2 hours will give you thicker cookies with richer flavor. It allows the flour to hydrate and the fats to solidify, which reduces spread.
5. Watch the Bake Time
Every oven is different. These cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center when you remove them, they’ll finish cooking on the hot pan. Overbaking will make them less soft and chewy.
Add-Ins & Variations
This cookie dough is incredibly versatile, meaning you can switch things up based on your mood or what’s in your pantry.
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Chocolate chunks or bars – Chop your favorite chocolate bar for those gooey puddles of chocolate.
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Nuts – Walnuts, pecans, or macadamias add crunch and contrast.
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Dried fruit – Dried cherries, cranberries, or apricots pair wonderfully with cream cheese.
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Spices – Try a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, seasonal twist.
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Sprinkles or candy – Kids love a splash of color or crushed candy bits for festive cookies.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
One of the best things about these cookies is how well they store.
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Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days. Place a piece of bread in the container to keep them soft.
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Refrigeration: You can refrigerate the dough for up to 72 hours before baking.
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Freezing Dough: Roll into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a ziplock bag. Bake from frozen by adding 2-3 minutes to the bake time.
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Freezing Baked Cookies: Allow them to cool completely before freezing in layers, separated by parchment paper. Reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness.
Occasions These Cookies Are Perfect For
Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies are versatile enough for just about any occasion:
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Holiday cookie trays
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School bake sales
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Housewarming gifts
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Birthday parties
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Weekend treats
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Care packages for college students
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Coffee shop-style dessert spreads
Their soft, indulgent nature makes them feel like something extra-special while still being incredibly easy to prepare.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even a great recipe can be affected by simple missteps. Avoid these pitfalls:
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Using too much flour: Always spoon and level flour instead of scooping directly from the bag.
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Skipping chilling (when time allows): The dough benefits from rest. Don’t rush perfection!
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Overbaking: These cookies don’t look “done” when they come out, but they set up perfectly as they cool.
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Under-creaming the butter and sugar: Give this step 2–3 full minutes for proper aeration and texture.
Pairing Suggestions
Looking to elevate your cookie game? Try pairing these cookies with:
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A cold glass of milk (classic!)
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Espresso or strong coffee
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A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
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Hot cocoa for a wintery treat
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A cheese board with fruit for an elegant dessert spread
You can also use them to make ice cream sandwiches, cookie sundaes, or even crumble them into a cheesecake crust for a creative twist.
Conclusion
Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ultimate upgrade to your cookie baking routine. They take the comfort and nostalgia of a classic chocolate chip cookie and elevate it with the richness and softness of cream cheese. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or yourself, this recipe is sure to impress.
Not only are they indulgent and delicious, but they’re also customizable, freezer-friendly, and perfect for any season. With the tips, variations, and storage techniques shared here, you’re equipped to make the best batch of cookies every single time.
So go ahead—preheat that oven, soften your butter and cream cheese, and get ready for a cookie experience that’s simply unforgettable.