If you have a soft spot for cookies that are tender, slightly chewy, and bursting with chocolatey goodness, then you are absolutely going to love this Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies stand out because they blend cream cheese with butter to create an irresistibly soft and rich texture that melts in your mouth with every bite. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, this recipe is straightforward and yields cookies that keep their softness day after day. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a staple in your dessert rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role in delivering that signature softness and flavor we all crave. From the creamy richness of the cream cheese to the perfect hint of vanilla, each one is a must for achieving cookie perfection.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that gives the cookies structure without making them tough.
- 1/2 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay soft and fluffy.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and tenderness to the dough.
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened: The secret ingredient that makes these cookies irresistibly soft and moist.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie’s ideal texture.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Brings a subtle caramel note and helps keep the cookies chewy.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, comforting flavor that ties everything together.
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips: The star of the show—gooey pockets of melted chocolate in every bite.
How to Make Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s hot and ready when your dough is mixed. This ensures even baking right from the start. While the oven warms, line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix is essential as it distributes the baking soda evenly, helping every cookie rise perfectly even with the added cream cheese.
Step 3: Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugars
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until you get a fluffy and creamy mixture. This step is where the magic of softness begins, as incorporating air helps create that light texture.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract to the creamy mixture. These ingredients add moisture and flavor, giving the cookies that rich and homemade taste we all adore.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Don’t overmix here; overworking the dough can lead to tough cookies, and that’s the last thing we want with this Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Fold the chocolate chips gently into the dough, ensuring they’re evenly distributed but the dough remains soft. The chocolate chips will melt during baking to create those irresistible pockets of gooey delight.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Dollop spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to give them room to spread. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, watching for golden edges with a slightly underbaked center—this guarantees that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying
Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the pan before transferring to a wire rack. Cooling just enough ensures they firm up without losing their softness inside. Then, get ready to enjoy one of the best soft cookie experiences you’ve ever had!
How to Serve Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are delicious on their own, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking can elevate the chocolate’s sweetness and add a sophisticated touch. You might also dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a charming, bakery-style look.
Side Dishes
Pair these warm cookies with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert combo that’s always a hit. For adults, a cup of rich coffee or even a creamy latte complements the cookie’s richness brilliantly.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, serve your Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe stacked on a rustic wooden board with little bowls of fresh berries or whipped cream. You could even sandwich two cookies with a layer of homemade frosting or ice cream for an irresistible treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Because these cookies stay soft for several days, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread inside the container helps keep them moist and chewy by absorbing excess air.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze the scooped cookie dough balls on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, pop them straight into the oven—just add a couple of minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To revive any leftover cookies, warm them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for a few minutes. This refreshes their softness and melts the chocolate chips beautifully again.
FAQs
Can I substitute cream cheese with something else?
While cream cheese is key to the signature soft texture and slight tang of this recipe, you could try using mascarpone or ricotta cheese as alternatives, but the texture and flavor may vary slightly.
Why do the centers stay slightly underbaked?
The slightly underbaked centers ensure the cookies remain soft and fudgy once cooled. Overbaking can lead to firmer, crisper cookies which is not what this recipe sets out to achieve.
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips depending on your preference or what you have on hand.
How long will these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies will stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days. Beyond that, freezing is recommended to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, by swapping all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, you can enjoy these cookies gluten-free. Be sure your baking soda and other ingredients are also gluten-free certified to avoid cross-contamination.
Final Thoughts
There is just something incredibly comforting about biting into a soft, rich, and chocolate-studded cookie fresh out of the oven, and this Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe delivers exactly that and more. It’s an effortless crowd-pleaser that brings joy with every bite, and once you make it, I’m sure you’ll find yourself reaching for it time and time again. So go on, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to some homemade happiness—you deserve it!
Print
Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies are irresistibly tender and chewy with a rich, creamy flavor from the cream cheese. Perfectly soft with melty chocolate chips, they bake to golden edges while maintaining a soft center, making them a delightful treat for any cookie lover.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature before the cookies go in.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later incorporation.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture becomes fluffy and light.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and fully combined.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in chocolate chips: Carefully fold in the chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Prepare for baking: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are a light golden color and the centers still appear slightly underbaked for a soft texture.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For the softest cookies, do not overbake; the centers should remain slightly underbaked when removed from the oven.
- Make sure both the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature to ensure a smooth, creamy texture.
- You can substitute chocolate chips with chunks or other mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit if desired.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
