Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Craving a delightful twist on a classic favorite? Dive into the world of cream cheese chocolate chip cookies, a scrumptious treat that elevates the traditional chocolate chip cookie to new heights.

These cookies feature a perfectly balanced combination of creamy tanginess from the cream cheese and rich sweetness from the chocolate chips.

The result is an irresistibly soft, slightly cakey cookie with a tender crumb and complex flavor profile that’s sure to impress even the most discerning cookie connoisseurs.

Ingredients List

Creating these delectable cream cheese chocolate chip cookies requires a careful selection of ingredients to achieve the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Let’s break down the ingredients needed for these wonderful cookies.

Cookie Ingredients

• 2¼ cups (319g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (115g) butter, softened
• ¼ cup (57g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• ⅔ cup (115g) dark brown sugar
• ½ cup (115g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ cups (255g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Required Kitchen Tools

When preparing cream cheese chocolate chip cookies, having the right kitchen tools can make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Here are the essential tools you will need:

1. Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: To efficiently cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugars for that perfect cookie texture.
2. Measuring Cups and Spoons: For precise measurement of ingredients, ensuring consistency in your batches.
3. Mixing Bowls: A large bowl for dry ingredients and a medium bowl for wet ingredients.
4. Whisk: To thoroughly combine the dry ingredients before incorporating them into the wet mixture.
5. Rubber Spatula: Essential for scraping down the sides of the bowl and folding in chocolate chunks without overmixing.
6. Cookie Scoop: A ¼ cup (57g) scoop ensures uniform cookie size for even baking.
7. Baking Sheets: Two standard baking sheets to accommodate all your cookie dough.
8. Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
9. Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool properly without becoming soggy on the bottom.

Dough Preparation

Preparing the dough for cream cheese chocolate chip cookies is a crucial step in achieving the perfect texture and flavor for these delightful treats. Follow the steps below to mix the ingredients and create the ideal cookie dough.

Mixing the Ingredients

To start the dough preparation, whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt—in a large bowl and set aside. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the softened butter and cream cheese.

Cream these together on medium speed until the mixture becomes fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. This process incorporates air into the mixture, creating a lighter texture in your finished cookies.

Lower the mixer speed and beat in the egg, followed by both brown and white sugars, and vanilla extract. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure even mixing.

The combination of dark brown sugar and granulated sugar creates the perfect balance of moisture and sweetness, while the vanilla extract adds depth of flavor.

Incorporating the Flour and Chocolate

After the wet ingredients are well combined, gradually incorporate the flour mixture in a few additions, scraping down the bowl between each addition. Mix until just combined—overmixing at this stage can develop too much gluten, resulting in tough cookies.

Finally, fold in the chopped chocolate chunks until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Using chopped bittersweet chocolate rather than chocolate chips creates pockets of melted chocolate and varied texture in the baked cookies.

Shaping the Cookies

Shaping your cream cheese chocolate chip cookies correctly ensures they bake evenly and have the perfect appearance. Follow these steps for consistently beautiful cookies:

1. Prepare the Baking Sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal after baking.
2. Portion the Dough: Using a ¼ cup (57g) cookie scoop or measuring cup, portion out balls of dough. This size creates cookies with the perfect balance of crisp edges and soft centers.
3. Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, allowing about 2 inches (5cm) of space between each cookie. This spacing gives them room to spread during baking without merging together.
4. Optional Enhancements: For even more visual appeal, press a few extra chocolate chunks into the tops of the dough balls before baking. This creates attractive chocolate pools on the surface of the baked cookies.
5. Chill if Necessary: If your kitchen is particularly warm or the dough seems too soft, chill the shaped cookies on the baking sheets for 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps prevent excessive spreading during baking.

Here’s the third part of the cream cheese chocolate chip cookie recipe:

Baking the Cookies

Baking your cream cheese chocolate chip cookies to perfection requires attention to temperature, timing, and visual cues to achieve that ideal balance of texture—crisp edges with soft, tender centers.

Oven Temperature and Baking Time

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) using the fan setting if available. This slightly lower temperature allows the cookies to bake evenly without over-browning the edges before the centers are properly set.

Place your prepared baking sheets with the cookie dough balls in the oven and bake for approximately 11 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to brown while the centers still appear slightly underdone.

Cooling and Setting

The cooling process is just as important as the baking process for achieving the perfect cream cheese chocolate chip cookie texture.

Proper Cooling Techniques

Once the cookies are baked to golden perfection, remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to rest on the trays for about 5 minutes.

This initial cooling period allows the cookies to set slightly before being moved, preventing them from breaking apart when still warm and fragile.

After the initial rest, transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack using a spatula. The wire rack allows air to circulate around the entire cookie, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy from trapped steam.

Allow the cookies to cool completely on the rack if you prefer a firmer texture, or enjoy them while still slightly warm for a more gooey chocolate experience.

Here’s the final part of the cream cheese chocolate chip cookie recipe:

Serving and Decoration

When it comes to serving and presenting your cream cheese chocolate chip cookies, attention to detail can elevate the overall experience, turning delicious cookies into a memorable treat. Here are some tips to ensure your cookies look as good as they taste:

Suggested Toppings and Enhancements

When it comes to serving cream cheese chocolate chip cookies, there are various delicious toppings and enhancements that can elevate the flavor and presentation of these delightful treats. Some popular options include:

• Flaky Sea Salt: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies just after baking creates a sophisticated sweet-salty contrast that enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve warm cookies with a scoop of high-quality vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience.
• Drizzled Chocolate: For an extra touch of elegance, drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the cooled cookies in a decorative pattern.
• Cookie Sandwiches: Transform your cookies into sandwich cookies by spreading a thin layer of cream cheese frosting between two cooled cookies.

Experimenting with different toppings and serving methods allows you to customize your cream cheese chocolate chip cookies to suit various occasions and preferences.

Storage Instructions

Proper storage is essential for maintaining the freshness and quality of your cream cheese chocolate chip cookies.

How to Keep Cookies Fresh

After baking these delightful cream cheese chocolate chip cookies, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.

To maintain their freshness, place a piece of bread in the container with the cookies—this helps keep them soft and prevents them from drying out.

For the best texture, avoid stacking too many cookies on top of each other, as this can crush the tender cookies.

Freezing Cookie Dough and Baked Cookies

If you want to prepare in advance or save cookies for later enjoyment, both the dough and baked cookies freeze well. To freeze the dough, portion it into balls and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.

The frozen dough can be stored for up to three months. When ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and add 1-2 minutes to the original baking time.

Conclusion

Mastering cream cheese chocolate chip cookies opens up a world of delightful possibilities.

The addition of cream cheese to the traditional chocolate chip cookie recipe creates a uniquely tender, slightly tangy cookie with an irresistible texture.

By following the detailed instructions provided, you can easily recreate these special cookies in your own kitchen.