Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
If you love the magic of combining creamy cheesecake and classic chocolate chip cookies, get ready for pure delight. Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ultimate treat for anyone wanting a cookie that’s soft, rich, and bursting with decadence in every bite. They deliver that dreamy cheesecake tang, the warm sweetness of brown sugar, and puddles of melty chocolate chips, all wrapped into a golden, bakery-style cookie. This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight bake but special enough to be the star of any dessert spread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s nothing fancy here—just a handful of familiar baking staples, yet each one plays a key role in creating the unforgettable taste and texture of these cookies. Let me walk you through the essentials and show you exactly why every ingredient matters.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, softened): Provides richness and keeps the cookies soft and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Cream Cheese (1/4 cup, softened): Adds that signature cheesecake tang and helps keep the cookies extra chewy and moist.
- Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): Lends sweetness and helps crystalize the edges for a slight crunch.
- Brown Sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Brings caramel notes and extra moisture, ensuring that irresistible bakery-style chew.
- Large Egg (1): Binds the dough and adds to the tender, cakey crumb.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor and brings out the warmth of the cookie dough.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 3/4 cups): Gives structure and body to the cookies, making them thick but never dry.
- Baking Soda (1/2 teaspoon): Reacts for just the right lift and spread.
- Baking Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise to that irresistible height.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances out the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (1 cup): Guarantees melty, gooey chocolate pockets in every single bite.
How to Make Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Equipment
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your cookies will bake evenly and release with ease. This small step makes cleanup a breeze and helps those precious cookies maintain their perfect shape.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
Use a large mixing bowl to beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until they become one smooth, luscious mixture. This is the secret to getting the signature Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies texture—that soft, slightly tangy bite that separates these from every other chocolate chip cookie out there.
Step 3: Add the Sugars
Beat in the granulated and brown sugars, mixing until the combination is light and airy. This step infuses each cookie with depth and a bit of caramel goodness, which beautifully pairs with the cream cheese.
Step 4: Mix in Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract, then blend until the dough is silky and smooth. These ingredients bind everything together and promise flavor in every bite.
Step 5: Whisk and Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This guarantees even distribution of the leaveners. Now, gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix gently—just until a soft, thick dough forms. Don’t overmix; you want to keep that cookie crumb perfectly tender.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Now for the best part—gently fold those glorious chocolate chips into the cookie dough. Aim for even distribution, so each Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie gets its fair share of chocolatey goodness.
Step 7: Portion and Bake
Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto your baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart for proper spreading. Slide them into your preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes. They’re ready when the edges are lightly golden and the centers look just set—don’t overbake! Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
How to Serve Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right after baking creates an incredible sweet-and-salty contrast. For presentation, you can dust them lightly with powdered sugar or even drizzle with a quick chocolate glaze if you’re feeling extra indulgent.
Side Dishes
These cookies deserve center stage, but they pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream, or a mug of rich hot chocolate on chilly days. For a coffeehouse vibe, serve them alongside an espresso or latte for a satisfying treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful! Stack a few Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies, tie with rustic twine, and gift them as a sweet surprise. You can also sandwich a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for a homemade ice cream sandwich. If hosting, display them on a tiered stand for a bakery-style dessert table that draws every eye in the room.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Their flavor deepens over time, and they stay soft and chewy thanks to the cream cheese in the dough.
Freezing
Freezing is a breeze! Either freeze baked cookies (layered with parchment between them) for up to 3 months or shape the raw dough into balls and freeze before baking. Pop the dough balls onto a tray to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top bag for longer storage. Bake straight from the freezer, just adding an extra minute or two to the bake time.
Reheating
If you love warm cookies, a quick 10 seconds in the microwave will bring back that just-baked gooeyness. For larger batches, reheat in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This revives the melt-in-your-mouth centers and the lightly crisped edges.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
You can, but regular cream cheese will always give you that dreamy, rich flavor and texture that makes Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies so special. Low-fat versions may make the cookies spread more and be a bit less creamy.
What’s the secret to extra thick cookies?
Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking is the ultimate tip! Chilled dough spreads less and results in super thick, bakery-style Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies every single time.
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Try mini chocolate chips for more distribution, or swap in white or dark chocolate chips for a new twist. Even butterscotch or peanut butter chips work beautifully with the cheesecake base.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The cookies are ready when their edges are just golden and the centers look barely set—they’ll firm up as they cool. Avoid overbaking; soft centers are what make these cookies irresistible.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, just substitute a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. The result will be just as incredible, so everyone can enjoy Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies together.
Final Thoughts
Cozy, creamy, and loaded with chocolate, Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything you want in a dessert and more. Give this recipe a try and treat yourself and your loved ones to cookies that taste like pure joy. Happy baking!
Print
Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the perfect marriage of creamy cheesecake and classic chocolate chip cookies with this delightful recipe. These soft, bakery-style cookies are sure to become a favorite treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugars and cream until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk dry ingredients. Gradually add dry mix to wet mix, fold in chocolate chips.
- Bake the cookies: Scoop dough onto baking sheet, bake for 10–12 minutes until golden. Cool on sheet before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra decadence, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
- You can also use mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
