Description
Decadent chocolate chip cookies with a creamy cheesecake surprise center – the perfect combination of two beloved desserts in one irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. The lower temperature helps these stuffed cookies bake properly without burning the outsides before the centers are done.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour for consistent texture and flavor in your cookies.
- Prepare the Cookie Dough
- In a large bowl, cream together the melted butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth and well incorporated. Beat in vanilla extract, egg, and egg yolk until the mixture is light and creamy. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips gently to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture for the best texture in your finished cookies.
- Assemble the Cookies
- Form the cookie dough into balls about 2 tablespoons in size. Create a deep indentation in the center of each ball with your thumb. Fill the indentation with approximately 1 teaspoon of the cheesecake mixture. Carefully seal the cookie by pinching the edges together and rolling gently between your palms to fully enclose the filling. Place the stuffed cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake to Perfection
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft. The cookies will continue to set as they cool. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For best results, chill the assembled cookie dough balls for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading.
- If the cheesecake filling becomes too soft to work with, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes.
- These cookies freeze well for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
- For a flavor variation, try adding mini chocolate chips to the cheesecake filling or using different flavored chips in the cookie dough.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg