Name: Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 2 h 19 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ¼ cup cream cheese, softened*; ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt, optional and to taste; 2 ¼ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks**

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 24 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a cookie recipe that’s soft, chewy, and melts in your mouth with every bite, then buckle up because this Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is absolutely fan-freaking-tastic. I promise you—it’s like the classic chocolate chip cookie but elevated with a secret ingredient that makes all the difference: cream cheese. Ready to make your kitchen smell amazing and have some serious cookie magic? Let me walk you through it.

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Why This Recipe Works

Cream Cheese Magic: It adds a subtle tang and incredible softness that makes these cookies uniquely tender.
Brown and White Sugar Balance: Using both keeps the cookies chewy while giving just the right caramel flavor.
Chilling the Dough: This step is non-negotiable for thick, pillowy cookies that don’t spread too much in the oven.
Cornstarch Inclusion: This secret ingredient intensifies softness and helps maintain the perfect cookie shape.

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cream Cheese Cookies, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Soft Cookie Recipes, Easy Cookie Recipes - The image shows a group of seven light golden brown chocolate chip cookies with soft, chunky textures. Each cookie is thick with visible melted and solid dark chocolate chunks embedded throughout the surface. The cookies are laid flat on a scratched wooden cutting board with a rustic feel. Some extra chocolate chunks are scattered around the cookies on the board. One cookie in the lower right corner has a bite taken out of it, showing the dense inside filled with chocolate pieces. The scene has warm lighting highlighting the cookies' textures and colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays its part in making these Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe absolutely stellar. From the creamy butter and cream cheese combo to the mix of sugars that helps create that signature chewy texture, the choices are thoughtful and tested. Just a heads up—grab good-quality cream cheese and semisweet chocolate chips for the tastiest outcome.

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cream Cheese Cookies, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Soft Cookie Recipes, Easy Cookie Recipes - Flat lay of a small slab of unsalted butter, a quarter cup of soft cream cheese in a white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with light brown sugar, another small white bowl with granulated sugar, one large brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl holding amber vanilla extract, a simple white bowl heaped with all-purpose flour, a tiny white bowl with cornstarch, a small white bowl containing baking soda, a pinch of salt displayed loosely on the surface, and a white ceramic bowl overflowing with semi-sweet chocolate chunks and chips, arranged symmetrically and naturally, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened for easy creaming, butter gives rich flavor and structure.
Cream Cheese: Adds moisture and softness; make sure it’s full-fat and room temp for best results.
Light Brown Sugar: Packed tightly, it brings molasses notes and chewiness.
Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to spread.
Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds tenderness.
Vanilla Extract: Essential for rounding out all flavors.
All-Purpose Flour: The cookie’s base; spoon and level to avoid drying out dough.
Cornstarch: Little secret that keeps cookies soft and thick.
Baking Soda: Leavens cookies for a light texture.
Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances richness; optional but recommended.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips or Chunks: Use a combination for texture variation and indulgent pockets of chocolate.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love to make this recipe my own depending on the occasion. Sometimes I swap out half the chocolate chips for chopped walnuts for a bit of crunch, or add a pinch of cinnamon when I want a slightly warmer flavor profile. You can easily personalize these cookies, and honestly, that’s part of the fun!

Nutty Variation: Adding chopped pecans or walnuts tastes amazing and gives a lovely crunch contrast to the soft cookie.
Brown Butter Upgrade: For a deeper, nuttier flavor, try browning the butter before creaming it with the cream cheese.
Dietary Swap: Use dairy-free cream cheese and vegan butter for a delicious vegan version.
Chocolate Mix-Up: Swap semi-sweet chips for dark chocolate or white chocolate depending on your preference.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Together the Buttery Dream Team

Start by softening your butter and cream cheese to room temperature so they blend effortlessly. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes. You’re looking for a light, fluffy, and pale mixture—that’s the secret to your cookies having a great lift and texture. Don’t rush this—you’ll feel the difference!

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients – The Gentle Touch

After scraping down your bowl, gently mix in the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt if using. Mix just until you don’t see dry flour—that means your dough will be tender, not tough, so resist the urge to over-mix. This usually takes about a minute on low speed or you can fold by hand.

Step 3: Chocolate Chips In!

Add your chocolate chips or chunks last, beating just enough to incorporate them evenly. I like to mix in one cup of chips with larger chunks to get pockets of melty deliciousness and extra texture.

Step 4: Chill Out for Thick, Perfect Cookies

Using a 2-inch cookie scoop, scoop generous mounds of dough onto a plate, flatten slightly, and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours—because I learned the hard way, if you skip this step, your cookies will spread too thin and lose that perfect soft center. You can even chill dough for up to 5 days, making it super convenient for when you want freshly baked cookies on demand.

Step 5: Bake to Soft, Chewy Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheet with a Silpat or lightly grease it. Space dough mounds about 2 inches apart and bake for 8-9 minutes, keeping an eye out for edges to set and the tops to look just slightly glossy and undercooked—that’s when you pull them out. They’ll firm up as they cool, giving you soft, pillowy centers and slightly chewy edges that are irresistible.

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Pro Tips for Making Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese: I tried lighter versions and the cookies lost that soft, melt-in-your-mouth magic—full fat is the way to go.
Don’t Skip the Chill: It’s crucial for controlling spread and developing better texture; I always prep dough the night before for fresh cookies the next day.
Timing is Everything: Pull cookies out as soon as edges set but centers still look glossy for the best chewiness.
Rotate Baking Sheets: I rotate pans halfway through baking for even cooking, especially if your oven has hot spots.

How to Serve Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Sometimes I sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies right after baking. That little salty pop perfectly offsets the sweet chocolate and creamy cookie, making each bite more interesting. If you want to get fancy, a drizzle of melted chocolate or even a little cream cheese frosting dolloped on top works for parties.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk (classic, I know!), a robust cup of coffee, or even a freshly brewed chai tea for a spiced twist. For a decadent dessert plate, serve them alongside vanilla ice cream or fresh berries.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to stack the cookies inside mason jars tied with rustic twine for a charming homemade gift. Another fun idea is to sandwich softened cream cheese frosting between two cookies for an indulgent twist. They also look adorable displayed on a rustic wooden board with a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips and edible flowers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they stay soft and delish for up to a week. Adding a small slice of bread to the container helps maintain moisture and keeps them from getting hard—a little trick I picked up from my grandma!

Freezing

Both the unbaked dough and baked cookies freeze beautifully. I portion out dough balls onto a tray, freeze them solid, then pop them in a zip-top freezer bag. When I want fresh-baked cookies, I bake straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze well in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To bring frozen or stored cookies back to life, I nuke them for about 15 seconds in the microwave which revives that freshly baked softness. Or, for a crisper edge, I zap them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes—trust me, it makes all the difference!

FAQs

Can I substitute cream cheese with something else?

Cream cheese is key to the soft texture and subtle tang in this recipe, so substituting it might change the final texture and flavor. However, for a dairy-free alternative, you can try a vegan cream cheese, but results may vary slightly. Regular cream cheese delivers the best classic texture here.
Why is it important to chill the cookie dough?

Chilling the dough solidifies the fats and activates the flavors, which helps prevent the cookies from spreading too thin during baking. This step also contributes to the thicker, chewier texture that makes this Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe so special.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Make sure to keep the other ingredients the same to maintain softness, but note that texture might shift slightly.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies are done when the edges have set and the tops look slightly glossy with centers still a bit underbaked—that means they’ll be soft and chewy once cooled. Baking too long will make them firmer, losing that pillowy texture.
Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely! Just be sure not to overcrowd your mixer when creaming and consider chilling the dough in batches if your fridge space is limited. Baking times remain roughly the same, but keep an eye on your cookies as oven temperatures can vary.

Final Thoughts

This Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen whenever I want cookies that feel a little more special but are so easy to make. The cream cheese really takes these cookies to cloud nine territory—soft, chewy, and irresistibly delicious. I hope you give it a try and love it as much as I do. Trust me, once you taste these, you’ll be coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds!). Happy baking, friend!