Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
If you have a soft spot for cookies that are perfectly tender, rich, and delightfully gooey, then you’re going to fall head over heels for this Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies offer a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture that balances the smooth tang of cream cheese with the sweet punch of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Whether it’s a cozy afternoon treat, a dessert that impresses friends, or simply your new go-to cookie recipe, these Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies bring warm, buttery goodness with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that work together like a dream to create irresistibly soft and flavorful cookies. Each component plays a key role, from creating the perfect dough texture to ensuring the chocolate chips stay delightfully gooey.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie that provides structure and chewiness.
- 1/2 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies rise perfectly, keeping them soft but not flat.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds rich, creamy goodness that melts beautifully in every bite.
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened: The star ingredient that gives these cookies their signature softbatch texture and tangy depth.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies while aiding in gentle crispness around the edges.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor for complexity.
- 1 large egg: Binds the dough together while contributing to softness.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and enhances the chocolate flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips: Batches of melty, sweet chocolate pockets scattered throughout every cookie.
How to Make Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s hot and ready for perfect baking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This step is crucial to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning throughout your dough for consistent texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugars
In a separate large bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. This process incorporates air into the dough, lending your cookies that soft, tender crumb we love so much in the Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
Step 3: Mix in Egg and Vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract to your butter and sugar mixture. Beat until everything is well combined and the batter looks smooth and glossy. The vanilla adds a warm, inviting aroma that ties all the flavors together beautifully.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here since that could trigger gluten development, making your cookies tougher rather than soft and tender.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Finally, gently fold in the chocolate chips, spreading pockets of melted sweet chocolate delicately throughout the dough. This is the moment when your cookies start to feel like the ultimate decadent treat.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing each dollop about two inches apart to make sure they bake evenly without running into each other. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, watching for the edges to turn golden while the centers stay just slightly underbaked—this is key to achieving that signature softbatch texture.
Step 7: Cool Before Enjoying
Allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This brief resting period helps the cookies set perfectly while keeping them soft and gooey inside.
How to Serve Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Though these cookies are delicious straight from the oven, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right before baking can enhance the chocolate and cream cheese flavors by adding a little burst of contrast. For a festive touch, a light dusting of powdered sugar after baking works beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair your Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a warm cup of coffee or tea. These classic pairings make for a comforting, indulgent snack or dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, sandwich two cookies with peanut butter, Nutella, or marshmallow fluff for an irresistible treat. Alternatively, serve broken chunks alongside a bowl of fresh berries and whipped cream for a deconstructed cookie dessert that feels a little fancy but is incredibly easy to prepare.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days, making them the perfect make-ahead treat for a snack or dessert whenever you want.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet to harden, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well frozen for up to 3 months and are perfect for spontaneous cookie cravings.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen or stored cookies, simply warm them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes. This helps revive that softbatch texture that makes this recipe so special.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
While you can use low-fat cream cheese, full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the creamiest texture and best flavor that defines the Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
What makes these cookies “softbatch”?
The combination of cream cheese and the particular baking time creates a cookie with soft, tender edges and a chewy, gooey center. The term “softbatch” reflects this unique, soft-batched texture.
Can I substitute chocolate chips with other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap chocolate chips with white chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, or even candy pieces to customize your cookies while keeping the same delightful softness.
How can I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened but not melted, and chill your dough for at least 30 minutes if your kitchen is warm. This helps the cookies keep their shape while baking.
Are these cookies suitable to bake ahead for events?
Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and bake just before serving. Alternatively, bake the cookies and store them well; either way works great for parties or gatherings.
Final Thoughts
Once you try the Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, you might just find yourself baking them over and over because they hit the sweetest spot between tender, rich, and comforting. These cookies bring an effortless touch of homemade joy with every bite, making baking feel like a warm hug from the inside out. So grab your ingredients and start baking today—you’re in for a delicious treat!
Print
Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies are delightfully soft and chewy cookies made with a creamy blend of cream cheese and butter, studded with rich chocolate chips. These cookies offer a tender texture with a perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of tang from the cream cheese, baked to golden edges with a slightly underbaked center for ultimate softness.
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
Mix-in
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature by the time your cookie dough is ready to bake.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed. Set aside for later incorporation.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which will help create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and beat until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until the dough is just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold in the chocolate chips to evenly distribute them throughout the cookie dough without breaking them.
- Portion Dough: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop dough portions onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still appear slightly underbaked for that soft, chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Spacing the cookies properly helps prevent them from merging during baking.
- Removing cookies when centers are still slightly underbaked ensures a soft and chewy texture once cooled.
- Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for easier mixing and better texture.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container will keep them soft for several days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
