Omg these chocolate chip cheesecake cookies are seriously addictive! I made these last weekend and my whole family couldn’t stop eating them. There’s something magical about biting into a warm chocolate chip cookie and finding a creamy cheesecake center. It’s like having two desserts in one! The combo of crispy edges, chewy centers, and that tangy cream cheese filling is just perfect. Trust me, once you try these chocolate chip cheesecake cookies, you’ll be making them all the time.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies
Making regular chocolate chip cookies can get boring sometimes, ya know? That’s where these chocolate chip cheesecake cookies come in to save the day! I discovered this recipe when I was trying to use up some leftover cream cheese in my fridge. My kids were having friends over, and I wanted to make something special. These cookies were such a hit that three different moms texted me for the recipe the next day!
These are super versatile too – you can switch up the mix-ins or even the flavor of the cheesecake filling. Plus, they’re actually easier to make than they look. Don’t worry about being perfect with the assembly – they’ll turn out amazing even if they’re not all identical.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour – makes the perfect base, but you can sub 1/4 cup with whole wheat if you want
- 1 tsp baking soda – helps them rise just right
- 1/2 tsp salt – balances the sweetness
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened – store brand works fine!
- 3/4 cup brown sugar – dark or light both work, dark gives more caramel notes
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar – creates those crispy edges
- 2 large eggs – room temp works best
- 2 tsp vanilla extract – real vanilla makes a difference but imitation is ok too
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips – semi-sweet is my fave but milk or dark work too
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened – full fat makes the best filling but light works in a pinch
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar – just enough sweetness
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – adds that classic cheesecake flavor
- Pinch of salt – brings out the flavor
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies
Step 1: Prep the Cheesecake Filling
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy – about 2 mins
- Add sugar, vanilla, and salt, mixing until combined
- Scoop filling by teaspoons onto a parchment-lined baking sheet
- Freeze for at least 30 mins or until firm – this is super important! If the filling isn’t frozen, it’ll be too messy to work with
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt
- In another bowl, beat butter and both sugars until fluffy – about 3 mins
- Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients – don’t overmix!
- Fold in chocolate chips with a spatula
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
- Scoop about 2 tbsp of cookie dough and flatten into a disc
- Place a frozen cheesecake ball in the center
- Fold the cookie dough around the filling, making sure it’s completely sealed
- Place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart
- Bake for 12-14 mins until edges are golden but centers still look soft
- Let cool on baking sheet for 5 mins, then transfer to wire rack
- They’re amazing warm but the filling is super hot, so be careful!
Tasty Variations to Try
1. Double Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies
Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the cookie dough and use white chocolate chips instead. Serious chocolate overload!
2. Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
Mix 2 tbsp strawberry preserves into the cream cheese filling and use white chocolate chips in the cookie dough. So good for summer!
3. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies
Add 1/4 cup peanut butter to the cheesecake filling. The PB and chocolate combo is always a winner.
4. Caramel Surprise Cookies
Add a small piece of caramel candy to the center of each cheesecake ball before freezing. When baked, you’ll get gooey caramel too!
5. Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Cookies
Mix 1/4 cup crushed Oreos into the cheesecake filling and another 1/4 cup into the cookie dough. Cookie inception!
6. Holiday Cheesecake Cookies
Add some festive sprinkles to the cookie dough or roll the finished cookie balls in colored sugar before baking. Perfect for any celebration!
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
Ingredients
- For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
- For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Cheesecake Filling
- Beat cream cheese until smooth (about 2 minutes).
- Mix in sugar, vanilla, and salt until well combined.
- Scoop teaspoon-sized portions onto parchment-lined tray.
- Freeze for 30 minutes or until firm.
- Step 2: Make Cookie Dough
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Step 3: Assemble and Bake
- Scoop about 2 tbsp of dough and flatten into a disc.
- Place frozen cheesecake ball in the center.
- Wrap dough around filling and seal well.
- Place cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
- Bake for 12–14 minutes until edges are golden.
- Let cool 5 minutes on sheet, then transfer to wire rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Snoop Dogg cookies?
Snoop Dogg cookies aren’t related to these chocolate chip cheesecake cookies! Snoop Dogg cookies usually refer to cookies inspired by the rapper’s famous connection to certain herbs, if you know what I mean. Our chocolate chip cheesecake cookies are family-friendly and definitely legal in all 50 states!
Do cream cheese filled cookies need to be refrigerated?
Yes! These chocolate chip cheesecake cookies should be refrigerated after they’ve cooled completely. The cream cheese filling means they shouldn’t sit out at room temp for more than 2 hours. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. You can warm individual cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before eating.
Can you put cream cheese in chocolate chip cookies?
Absolutely! Cream cheese is what makes these chocolate chip cheesecake cookies so special. You can add it as a filling like in this recipe, or some people mix it right into the dough for super soft cookies. The tanginess of cream cheese pairs amazingly with the sweetness of chocolate chips.
What makes a cookie cakey vs chewy?
For chocolate chip cheesecake cookies, the ratio of ingredients is key! More flour and eggs make cookies cakey, while more butter and sugar make them chewy. These chocolate chip cheesecake cookies are designed to be chewy around the edges with a soft center. Using brown sugar also helps with chewiness because of the molasses content. Baking time matters too – underbaking slightly (when edges are set but centers look barely done) gives you chewier cookies.
What is the secret to making cookies soft and chewy?
The secret to soft and chewy chocolate chip cheesecake cookies is several things: using more brown sugar than white sugar, not overmixing the dough, slightly underbaking, and using room temperature ingredients. Also, the cream cheese filling in these chocolate chip cheesecake cookies adds extra moisture that keeps the cookies soft for days. Another tip – add a slice of bread to your cookie storage container! The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread and stay soft longer.
Perfect Pairings for Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies
These chocolate chip cheesecake cookies go great with so many things! Try them with:
- Cold glass of milk (obvs!)
- Coffee or hot chocolate
- Vanilla ice cream for a next-level ice cream sandwich
- Fresh berries on the side
If you’re into homemade cookies, you should definitely check out my Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies for another amazing twist on the classic. Or try the Ghirardelli Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe for cookies with melty chocolate puddles. And when fall comes around, don’t miss my Chewy Maple Pumpkin Cookies for a seasonal treat.
Final Thoughts
I still remember the first time I made these chocolate chip cheesecake cookies. It was for my son’s birthday, and I was nervous they wouldn’t turn out right. But seeing his face light up when he bit into that first cookie made all the effort worth it. Now they’re our special tradition.
These chocolate chip cheesecake cookies might take a bit more work than regular cookies, but trust me, they’re so worth it. They’re the perfect balance of familiar and exciting – classic chocolate chip cookies with a surprising creamy center that everyone will love.
Give these a try next weekend – your family will think you’re a baking genius! And don’t forget to make extra chocolate chip cheesecake cookies cause they’ll disappear fast!
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