If you adore the rich, creamy indulgence of cheesecake but also crave the warm, comforting charm of chocolate chip cookies, then you are going to fall head over heels for this Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies Recipe. These treats marry the best of both worlds, delivering soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a luscious cheesecake twist and pockets of gooey chocolate chips that will keep you reaching for more. Perfect for sharing with loved ones or savoring solo, this recipe is a delightful surprise that transforms everyday cookie time into something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to making these irresistibly soft and flavorful cookies. Each component plays its part, from the creamy texture lent by cream cheese to the delicate lift from baking powder, ensuring the perfect balance of taste, texture, and a beautiful golden color.
- All-purpose Flour: Provides structure and body to the cookies for that perfect chewy bite.
- Cornstarch: Adds tenderness and softness to keep the cookies melt-in-your-mouth.
- Baking Powder: Gives a gentle rise for a light, airy texture without being cakey.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and moisture while allowing you to control the saltiness perfectly.
- Cream Cheese: Brings the signature tangy creaminess that sets these cookies apart.
- Large Egg: Acts as a binder, providing structure and a slight richness.
- Milk: Helps achieve the ideal dough consistency for soft cookies.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances sweetness with warm, aromatic notes.
- Powdered Sugar: Ensures an ultra-smooth, tender crumb and adds subtle sweetness.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Perfect little bursts of chocolate that melt just enough for an indulgent bite.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Mix
The foundation of these cookies starts with combining the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. This dry mix ensures the cookies get the right tender crumb and subtle lift. Sifting them together helps incorporate air and creates a more uniform texture in the final cookie.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
Using room temperature unsalted butter and cream cheese, beat them together until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. This step is crucial because it sets the creamy cheesecake base for your cookies, contributing to their rich, velvety texture.
Step 3: Add Egg, Milk, and Vanilla Extract
Once the butter and cream cheese are perfectly blended, incorporate the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. These ingredients bind the cookie dough together while enhancing flavor and tenderness. Mix until everything is just combined, avoiding overmixing that can toughen your dough.
Step 4: Incorporate Powdered Sugar Gradually
Slowly mix in the powdered sugar until the dough turns fluffy and smooth. Powdered sugar is what gives these cookies their soft, almost melt-away texture compared to traditional granulated sugar. This step is where the dough starts to feel velvety and light.
Step 5: Fold in Dry Ingredients and Chocolate Chips, Then Refrigerate
Carefully fold the dry flour mixture into the wet batter to retain air for softness, then gently stir in the mini chocolate chips. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling is key to allowing the flavors to meld and helps the dough hold its shape while baking, avoiding overly spread cookies.
Step 6: Preheat Oven and Shape Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a cookie scoop or spoon, shape the chilled dough into balls and place them evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you want extra chocolate goodness, sprinkle a few extra mini chocolate chips on top of each cookie ball before baking.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden and Cool
Bake your cookies for about 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn beautifully golden while the centers remain soft, ensuring that classic cheesecake cookie texture. Once baked, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to set and become perfectly tender.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies Recipe by adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzling melted white chocolate over them for a stunning finish. You could also sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt to highlight the sweet and creamy flavors, giving each bite a delightful contrast.
Side Dishes
These cookies are incredibly versatile but pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert experience. For a brunch twist, serve alongside fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream.
Creative Ways to Present
Present your cookies stacked on a rustic wooden board tied with twine for a charming homemade touch. You can also sandwich a little softened cream cheese frosting between two cookies for a tempting cheesecake-inspired treat that looks and tastes irresistible at any party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 3 days. The cream cheese keeps the cookies soft, so there’s no worry about them drying out quickly, making them perfect for snack time during the week.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or the baked cookies themselves. For dough, place the balls on a tray to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer bag—bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes. Baked cookies freeze wonderfully in an airtight container for up to 2 months, ready to enjoy whenever a sweet craving strikes.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy these cookies warm and fresh, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or heat briefly in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked softness and melty chocolate magic just like the first time.
FAQs
Can I substitute regular sugar for powdered sugar in this recipe?
Powdered sugar is essential for the soft, tender texture of these cheesecake cookies. Using granulated sugar will make the cookies grainier and less creamy, so it’s best to stick with powdered sugar for the true signature texture.
Do I have to use mini chocolate chips, or can I use regular chocolate chips?
Mini chocolate chips distribute more evenly throughout the cookie and melt nicely without overwhelming the dough. You can use regular chocolate chips if preferred, but consider chopping them slightly for even distribution and a better balance of cookie to chocolate.
Is it necessary to chill the dough before baking?
Yes! Chilling the dough helps to firm up the cream cheese and butter, which prevents excessive spreading during baking and enhances flavor depth. It also improves the texture, resulting in soft, chewy cookies with a slight crisp edge.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
While the cream cheese is central to the flavor and texture, you could experiment with dairy-free cream cheese and butter substitutes. Keep in mind it might slightly alter the final texture and taste, but with some trial, delicious dairy-free versions are possible.
How long do the cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies maintain their freshness and softness for up to three days. Beyond that, consider refrigeration or freezing to preserve quality longer.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies Recipe is truly a game-changer for cookie lovers looking to level up their baking game. Combining rich cheesecake flavors with tiny bursts of chocolate, these cookies are soft, irresistible, and surprisingly easy to make. I promise once you try them, they’ll become your go-to treat for any occasion, guaranteed to bring smiles and cravings for more. So don’t wait—grab your ingredients and start baking these little bites of joy today!
Print
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in the rich, creamy goodness of Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies. These cookies combine a buttery, soft cheesecake-flavored dough with sweet mini chocolate chips for a melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups All-purpose Flour
- 1/4 cup Cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 4 oz Cream Cheese, room temperature
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 tablespoon Milk
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Sugar & Add-ins
- 1 1/4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 5–6 tablespoons Mini Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Mix: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Mix well and set aside.
- Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: In a separate large mixing bowl, beat room temperature unsalted butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, milk, and vanilla extract to the butter and cream cheese mixture. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and uniform in texture.
- Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating continuously until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and fluffy in texture.
- Combine Dry Mix and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the prepared dry flour mixture and mini chocolate chips into the creamy sugar mixture. Mix until just combined. Then cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Shape Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove dough from refrigerator and shape into about 1- to 1.5-inch diameter balls. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets.
- Add Extra Chocolate Chips (Optional): For a more chocolatey appearance and taste, press a few extra mini chocolate chips on top of each dough ball before baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for approximately 12-14 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden color and the tops appear set.
- Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and transfer them to wire racks. Allow to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Room temperature butter and cream cheese help achieve a smoother dough.
- Chilling the dough solidifies the fat for less spreading and more tender cookies.
- You can substitute mini chocolate chips with regular-sized chips for a chunkier texture.
- Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
