Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Sweet Tooth’s Dream Come True

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Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Delicious Mashup of Two Classics

There’s something about the combination of cheesecake and chocolate chip cookies that makes them irresistible. Individually, these desserts have their own dedicated fanbases—cheesecake with its smooth, creamy texture and slightly tangy flavor, and chocolate chip cookies, which boast that perfect balance of crisp edges and soft, chewy centers with pockets of melted chocolate. But what if you could have the best of both worlds in one? Enter Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies—a perfect mashup of two classic desserts that will leave you and your guests in awe.

These cookies are more than just a dessert—they’re an experience. Imagine biting into a warm chocolate chip cookie, only to be surprised by the creamy, rich cheesecake filling that oozes out. The contrast of textures—the crisp cookie exterior and the silky, indulgent cheesecake center—creates a decadent treat that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re planning to treat your family, impress guests, or just indulge yourself, these stuffed cookies will satisfy your cravings and elevate your baking game.

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Ingredients

To make these heavenly cheesecake stuffed chocolate chip cookies, you’ll need to gather a few key ingredients. This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy tools or hard-to-find ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Cookie Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
• 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate, based on your preference)

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking and to make clean-up easier.

Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps evenly distribute the baking soda and salt, ensuring a consistent texture throughout your cookies.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Mix until the butter and sugars are well combined and smooth. This step is crucial for ensuring a chewy texture in the cookies. The melted butter helps achieve that soft and chewy interior while the sugar mixture contributes sweetness and moisture.

Next, add the vanilla extract, egg, and egg yolk to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat until everything is fully incorporated and smooth. The extra egg yolk helps add richness and moisture to the dough.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as that can lead to tough cookies. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 3: Prepare the Cheesecake Filling

In a small mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to mix everything until smooth and creamy. The filling should be thick but spreadable, allowing you to easily scoop and stuff it into the cookie dough. If the mixture feels too thick, you can add a teaspoon of milk or cream to loosen it up a bit.

Step 4: Assemble the Cookies

Now comes the fun part: assembling the cookies. Take a tablespoon of the cookie dough and roll it into a ball. Use your thumb to make a small indentation in the center of the dough ball. Next, scoop about a teaspoon of the cheesecake filling and place it into the indentation.

Take another tablespoon of cookie dough and flatten it slightly. Place this flattened dough over the cheesecake filling and seal the edges to ensure that the filling is fully enclosed inside. Repeat this process with the remaining dough and cheesecake filling, ensuring that you have enough dough to cover all the cheesecake filling.

Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them a few inches apart. Keep in mind that the cookies will spread slightly as they bake, so don’t crowd them on the sheet.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Place the cookie sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. The edges of the cookies should be lightly golden brown, but the centers may still look slightly underbaked. This is the key to achieving that soft and chewy texture.

Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This will help them set and prevent them from falling apart when you transfer them. After cooling for a bit, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Tips for Perfect Cheesecake Stuffed Cookies

• Don’t Overmix the Dough: When combining the dry and wet ingredients, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Stir just until everything is incorporated.
• Chill the Dough: If you have time, chilling the cookie dough for about 30 minutes to 1 hour before assembling the cookies can help prevent them from spreading too much during baking.
• Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is softened before making the cheesecake filling. Cold cream cheese can result in a lumpy filling that’s harder to work with.
• Experiment with Chocolate Chips: While semi-sweet chocolate chips are the most common choice for this recipe, you can use milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate to suit your preferences.
• Don’t Overbake: Underbake the cookies slightly to keep them soft and chewy. If you bake them too long, the cookies can turn out crispier and less gooey.

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Storage Instructions

These cheesecake stuffed cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them to enjoy later. Here’s how:

• Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cheesecake filling will keep the cookies moist, and they will still be soft and delicious.
• Refrigeration: If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate the cookies. Place them in an airtight container and store them for up to a week. The cheesecake filling will remain creamy even after refrigeration, but be sure to let the cookies come to room temperature before eating for the best flavor and texture.
• Freezing: You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough for later use. Roll the dough into balls, stuff with cheesecake filling, and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, just place the frozen dough balls directly on the baking sheet and bake as directed, adding an extra 2-3 minutes to the bake time.

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Serving Suggestions

These Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies are delicious on their own, but you can make them even more indulgent with some fun serving ideas:

With Ice Cream: Serve warm cookies with a scoop of vanilla, chocolate, or even a fruity ice cream flavor like raspberry sorbet. The cold ice cream pairs perfectly with the warm, gooey cookies.

With Whipped Cream: Top the cookies with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an extra special touch.

As a Dessert Platter: Arrange the cookies on a dessert platter alongside other treats like brownies, cupcakes, or fruit tarts for a complete dessert spread at your next party or gathering.

With Coffee or Milk: For a simple yet comforting treat, serve these cookies with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. The combination of the rich flavors and textures is simply divine.

These Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies are a showstopper in every way—perfect for any occasion where you want to wow your guests or treat yourself. Whether you’re a fan of classic chocolate chip cookies, a cheesecake lover, or someone who loves both, these stuffed cookies are sure to become your new favorite indulgence. So grab your ingredients, get baking, and prepare to enjoy the best of both worlds!