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If you love the idea of soft, chewy cookies and rich, creamy cheesecake coming together in one irresistible treat, you are going to adore this Cheesecake-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. It feels like the ultimate dessert hug, where the classic chocolate chip cookie wraps a luscious cheesecake center. These cookies are pure magic—perfect for sharing with friends, impressing at parties, or just treating yourself whenever the craving hits. Ready to indulge in a dessert that’s equal parts comforting and decadent? Let’s dive in!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward, approachable ingredients, each chosen to build the perfect balance of flavors and textures. From the buttery cookie base to the creamy cheesecake core, every element plays a key role in this show-stopping treat.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Provides the structure for the cookies, ensuring they hold their shape while staying tender.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough to get that satisfying soft texture.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
- Unsalted butter, melted (¾ cup): Adds richness and moisture for those perfectly chewy edges.
- Brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Brings deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps keep the cookies chewy.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Balances the brown sugar with a touch of crispness.
- Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon): Adds warm, fragrant notes in both the cookie dough and cheesecake filling.
- Egg (1) and egg yolk (1): Create structure, moisture, and richness in the cookie dough.
- Chocolate chips (2 cups): The star of the chocolate chip cookie, melting into gooey pockets of joy.
- Cream cheese, softened (8 oz): The velvety base of the cheesecake filling that makes these cookies unforgettable.
- Granulated sugar for filling (¼ cup): Sweetens the cheesecake without overpowering it.
How to Make Cheesecake-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by heating your oven to 325°F (165°C) and lining cookie sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. This step sets the stage for perfectly baked cookies with golden edges and soft centers.
Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough
In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning. In another, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and luscious. Then beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk, which enrich the dough and help with structure. Gradually combine the dry ingredients, folding in those precious chocolate chips last to ensure every bite has a melty, chocolatey surprise.
Step 3: Make the Cheesecake Filling
Beat the softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until velvety smooth. This filling will add the creamy, tangy center that transforms these cookies from ordinary to show-stopping.
Step 4: Assemble the Cookies
Now for the fun part. Take tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough and gently create a little hollow in each one. Stuff this with a spoonful of the cheesecake mixture, then wrap the cookie dough around it and seal well. This wrapping technique locks in the luscious cheesecake center, giving you a delightfully gooey surprise inside.
Step 5: Bake
Place your stuffed cookie balls on the prepared sheets and bake for 15-18 minutes, watching for that golden edge that signals perfection. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the sheet for five minutes before moving to a rack. This resting time lets the cookies set up just right, ensuring they’re soft yet sturdy enough to hold the cheesecake center beautifully.
How to Serve Cheesecake-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty touch and a hint of extra sweetness that pairs perfectly with these cookies. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, drizzle a bit of melted chocolate or caramel over the top for a stunning finish.
Side Dishes
These rich cookies shine on their own but also make a fantastic pairing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of strong coffee. The cool creaminess of ice cream contrasts delightfully with the warm cookies, making every bite feel like dessert heaven.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these cheesecake-stuffed gems on a decorative platter surrounded by fresh berries or edible flowers for a striking dessert table centerpiece. You can even serve them warm with a small dollop of whipped cream to elevate the experience even more.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps the cookies soft and the cheesecake filling fresh, so each bite stays just as delightful as the first.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the assembled but unbaked cookie balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to bake, simply add a couple of minutes to the baking time for a fresh-baked experience any time you want.
Reheating
Warm leftover cookies in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes to revive their soft texture and melt the chocolate chips slightly. Avoid microwaving as it can make the cookie too soft and cause the filling to loosen.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese for the filling?
While low-fat cream cheese is an option, it might affect the richness and texture of the filling. For the best creamy indulgence, full-fat cream cheese is recommended for this Cheesecake-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
How do I prevent the cheesecake filling from leaking out?
Make sure to seal the cookie dough tightly around the filling, pinching the dough well so no gaps remain. Chilling the stuffed cookie dough balls briefly before baking can also help keep the filling inside.
Can I substitute chocolate chips with other mix-ins?
Absolutely! You can swap chocolate chips for white chocolate, butterscotch chips, or even chopped nuts to customize your cookies. Just remember that different mix-ins might slightly change the baking time.
Are these cookies gluten-free friendly?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free by default. However, you can try a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend as a substitute to make them suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
How long do these cookies last?
Freshly baked cheesecake-stuffed chocolate chip cookies are best enjoyed within three days when stored properly. Beyond that, quality diminishes, but freezing is a great option to extend their life without losing flavor or texture.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend this Cheesecake-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe enough—it’s a surefire way to impress guests and satisfy any sweet tooth. The blend of gooey cheesecake and classic chocolate chip cookie is honestly pure bliss. Give it a try, and prepare for lots of compliments and eager requests for seconds. Happy baking!
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Cheesecake-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in these decadent Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies, combining the rich creaminess of cheesecake with classic chocolate chip cookie dough. Perfectly baked to golden edges with a soft, creamy center, these treats are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth craving.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Cookie Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream the melted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in vanilla extract, the whole egg, and egg yolk. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined, then fold in the chocolate chips gently.
- Make Cheesecake Filling: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
- Assemble Cookies: Take tablespoon-sized portions of cookie dough and flatten each slightly. Create a small well or hole in the center of each dough portion. Spoon a small amount of the cheesecake filling into the well, then cover it with another portion of cookie dough, sealing the edges completely to encase the cheesecake filling.
- Bake: Place the assembled cookie balls onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the cheesecake filling.
- Do not overmix the cookie dough once you add the dry ingredients to keep the cookies tender.
- Seal the dough well around the cheesecake filling to prevent oozing during baking.
- The cookies may look slightly underbaked in the center when you remove them but will firm up as they cool.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
