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 (1 cup chips and 1 ¼ cups chunks recommended)

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 36 reviews

If you’ve been hunting for that one cookie recipe to keep on speed dial, I seriously can’t recommend this Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe enough. These cookies have this beautifully soft, pillowy texture that just melts in your mouth, all thanks to a secret ingredient—cream cheese! Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through exactly how to get these dreamy cookies just right every single time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Cream Cheese Magic: Adding cream cheese keeps the cookies ultra-soft and adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
Chilling the Dough: Refrigerating the dough prevents spreading, resulting in thick, chewy cookies with tender centers.
Cornstarch for Tenderness: A pinch of cornstarch creates that perfect soft-batch texture we all crave.
Balanced Sweetness: Using a mix of brown and granulated sugar adds depth and chew without overpowering the chocolate.

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies, how to make cream cheese cookies, soft chocolate chip cookies with cream cheese, best cream cheese cookies recipe, easy cream cheese cookie recipe - 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

This Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is all about combining simple ingredients that play together beautifully. Each one has a purpose, and understanding that helps you nail the texture and flavor every time.

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter provides richness and helps create the perfect tender crumb; always go for unsalted so you control the saltiness.
Cream Cheese: Using regular cream cheese—not light or whipped—adds moisture and a subtle tang that keeps the cookies soft and irresistible.
Light Brown Sugar: Packed tightly for moisture and that lovely caramel flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Helps balance sweetness and contributes to a slight crispness on the edges.
Egg: Acts as a binder and contributes to the richness and structure.
Vanilla Extract: Classic flavor enhancer that brings out the warm, sweet notes.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that gives form, so don’t swap for cake or bread flour here.
Cornstarch: Secret weapon for soft batch cookies—it softens the texture beautifully.
Baking Soda: Leavens the cookies lightly, giving them a nice rise without puffing up too much.
Salt (optional): Just a pinch enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness—really worth adding if you can.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips & Chunks: I love mixing chips and chunks for texture and bursts of melty 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

While I love the classic combination here, one of the best things about this Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it so it feels like your own. Here are a couple ways I like to mix it up depending on my mood or what’s in my pantry.

Variation: Sometimes I swap half the semi-sweet chocolate chips for milk or dark chocolate to mix up the flavor profile—it’s delightful!
Nutty Upgrade: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives a wonderful crunch that contrasts with the soft cookie texture.
Dairy-Free Version: I haven’t tried this exactly, but using a vegan cream cheese and coconut oil or dairy-free butter substitute could work—just keep an eye on dough consistency.
Seasonal Flavors: Around the holidays, a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of pumpkin pie spice creates a festive twist.

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

Step 1: Cream together butter, cream cheese, and sugars until fluffy

Start by softening your butter and cream cheese—room temperature is key here for smooth mixing. Beat them together with both sugars using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer on medium-high speed. This will take about 5 minutes in a stand mixer (7 with a hand mixer). Be patient and scrape down the bowl sides occasionally to make sure everything combines evenly. You want a light, fluffy mixture that looks almost whipped—that’s your foundation for the perfect soft-batch cookie texture.

Step 2: Add egg and vanilla for flavor and structure

Once fluffy, add in the egg and vanilla extract. These ingredients help bind everything and bring that classic cookie flavor alive. Beat until smooth but don’t overmix—about 30 seconds should do.

Step 3: Combine dry ingredients and mix gently

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt (if using). Gradually add this dry mix to the wet mixture and combine on low speed just until no flour streaks remain. Don’t overdo it here; overmixing develops gluten that makes cookies tough, and we want soft and tender.

Step 4: Fold in chocolate chips and chunks

Using a spatula, fold in the chocolate pieces gently. The goal is to evenly distribute them without breaking up the dough. I usually use about half chips and half chunks for a mix of melty bites and chocolatey pockets.

Step 5: Chill dough for at least 2 hours

This step is a game-changer for this Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Using a medium-sized scoop, form cookie mounds and place them on a plate. Flatten slightly, cover with plastic wrap, and pop them in the fridge. Chilling the dough helps the fat solidify, which prevents spreading in the oven and contributes to thick, soft cookies. You can rest this dough up to 5 days – talk about a timesaver!

Step 6: Bake with care at 350°F

Preheat your oven and line a baking sheet with a Silpat mat or lightly grease it. Arrange chilled cookie mounds about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes until the edges look set and the centers are just slightly glossy and underbaked; this keeps the middle wonderfully soft. Don’t bake past 10 minutes because the cookies will firm as they cool. You’ll want to cool them on the sheet briefly to set before transferring to a rack.

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Pro Tips for Making Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Measure Cream Cheese by Smashing: I use the old “smoosh it into the measuring cup” trick to get the exact amount, which helps the dough consistency every time.
Don’t Skip Dough Chilling: I once thought the dough could go right into the oven, but that led to flat cookies—chilling really matters for texture.
Rotate Baking Sheets: For even baking, I turn trays halfway through, especially if baking multiple sheets.
Watch Your Baking Time Closely: The difference between gooey and overdone is seconds—start checking at 8 minutes.

How to Serve Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For extra fun, I like sprinkling flaky sea salt on top of the cookies right before baking. It contrasts beautifully with the sweet, melty chocolate and makes the flavors pop. Sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty finish, especially if I’m bringing these to a gathering.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect on their own but pair fabulously with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. I also love serving them alongside vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert treat.

Creative Ways to Present

A cute way I’ve served these cookies is stacked in a clear jar tied with a rustic ribbon—a simple, beautiful gift idea. For parties, arranging them on a wooden board with a few bowls of dipping sauces like salted caramel or melted chocolate always gets compliments.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they stay soft and chewy for about a week. Just be sure the container seals tightly to keep that fresh-baked softness locked in.

Freezing

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how well the dough freezes. After scooping, I freeze the dough mounds on a tray, then transfer them to a zipper bag. This way, you can bake fresh cookies straight from the freezer anytime, just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

If you want to refresh a leftover cookie, popping it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds brings back that soft, just-baked feel. Alternatively, a few minutes in a low oven (around 300°F) does wonders without drying them out.

FAQs

Can I substitute cream cheese in the Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?

For the best results, stick to regular cream cheese—avoid fat-free, light, or whipped versions as they can change the moisture level and texture, making the cookies less tender and flavorful.
Do I have to chill the cookie dough?

Yes! Chilling for at least 2 hours is crucial to prevent the cookies from spreading too thin and helps develop that soft, chewy texture that makes this recipe so special.
How long do Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies keep?

When stored airtight at room temperature, the cookies remain soft and delicious for up to one week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months to enjoy later.
Can I bake the dough straight after mixing without chilling?

While you can technically bake immediately, the cookies will spread more and be thinner and less tender than if you chill the dough. I highly recommend the chilling step for perfect results.
What’s the best chocolate to use?

Semi-sweet chocolate chips combined with chunks of the same or slightly different chocolate work great to give texture and pockets of melted goodness. Feel free to experiment with bittersweet or milk chocolate based on your preference.

Final Thoughts

I can say without a doubt that this Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s just so dependable and delicious. The soft, cloud-like texture combined with the rich chocolate makes them impossible to resist. Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or friends, I know you’ll enjoy how easy and satisfying this cookie recipe is. Trust me, once you make them, you’ll want to keep this in your cookie repertoire forever!