These Soft-Batch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies are a sweet delight! Soft and chewy, they’re made special with cream cheese that adds a lovely richness.
Honestly, who can resist warm cookies right from the oven? I love how they stay soft for days. Perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself! 🍪
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of your cookies. If you need a gluten-free option, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, which works well in most cookie recipes.
Cream Cheese: The star ingredient for softness! You can substitute with mascarpone or plain Greek yogurt for a lower-fat option, but the flavor will differ slightly.
Chocolate Chips: Semisweet chips are classic, but feel free to mix it up! Dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips are great alternatives, or even white chocolate for a sweeter twist.
Butter: Unsalted butter is best to control the salt content. You can use coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute if you’re looking for dairy-free options.
Granulated & Brown Sugar: Both add sweetness and moisture. If you’re aiming for a lower sugar option, you might try using coconut sugar, but it will change the texture a bit.
What’s the Best Way to Ensure Soft Cookies?
Achieving soft cookies is key to this recipe! Here are some tips:
- Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened, not melted. They should be easy to mix but still hold their shape.
- Avoid overmixing the dough after adding the flour. This can lead to tougher cookies.
- Don’t skip chilling the dough if you like thicker cookies. Chill for about 30 minutes to help maintain their shape while baking.
- Watch the baking time closely! Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are lightly browned but the centers look slightly underbaked.
Following these tips will help you achieve those perfectly soft, slightly chewy cookies everyone loves!
Soft-Batch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or chunks)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes to prepare and around 11-13 minutes to bake. After that, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before moving them to a rack to cool completely. All in all, you’ll be enjoying fresh cookies in about 30 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare
First things first! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). As it heats up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This will help your cookies not stick and make for easy cleanup.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, take your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Give them a good whisk to combine everything evenly. Setting this aside helps keep your dry ingredients from clumping.
3. Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and cream cheese with the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Mix until everything is fluffy and well combined. This step adds a lot of tenderness to your cookies!
4. Add the Egg and Vanilla
Next, beat in the egg and the vanilla extract. Keep mixing until it’s all incorporated. You want a nice, smooth mixture at this point.
5. Combine Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredient mix to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing; it’s perfectly fine if there are a few lumps. This keeps your cookies soft!
6. Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Now for the best part! Gently fold in the chocolate chips or chunks with a spatula, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Scoop the Cookies
Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, drop rounded tablespoon-sized dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets. Make sure to space them about 2 inches apart; they need room to spread!
8. Bake Away
Place your baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for about 11-13 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You’ll want the edges to be lightly browned, while the centers remain soft for that perfect chewy texture.
9. Cool Down
Once done, take the cookies out and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set perfectly!
10. Time to Enjoy!
Now it’s the best part—enjoying your soft and creamy chocolate chip cookies! They are delicious on their own or paired with a glass of milk or your favorite drink. Happy snacking!
With the cream cheese in the mix, these cookies will be soft and chewy, with rich flavors and delightful bursts of chocolate in every bite. Enjoy! 🍪
Can I Use Low-Fat Cream Cheese?
Absolutely! Low-fat cream cheese works well in this recipe, and it will still yield soft cookies. Just keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious!
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them again!
Can I Add Nuts to the Recipe?
Yes! Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans can be a great addition. You can fold in about 1/2 to 1 cup of nuts along with the chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
What If I Don’t Have Brown Sugar?
If you’re out of brown sugar, you can substitute it with granulated sugar. For an even closer match in flavor, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses to create a homemade brown sugar substitute.