Name: Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 260g; ½ cup Dutch cocoa powder 50g; 2 tablespoons black cocoa powder 14g; 2 tablespoons cornstarch 16g; 2 tablespoons powdered milk 10g; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; 1 cup granulated sugar 200g; ½ cup salted butter softened, 113g; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 large egg room temperature; 1 additional large egg yolk room temperature; 2 ounces whole milk room temperature; 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 6 ounces cream cheese 170g, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar 130g; 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract; ½ cup chocolate melting wafers milk, dark, or white

Nothing beats the rich, luxurious bite of a soft chocolate cookie filled with a creamy surprise. This Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe brings together deep cocoa flavors with smooth, tangy cream cheese, creating a match that’s just impossible to resist. Trust me, once you bake a batch, these will be disappearing from your cookie jar in no time.

A close-up of three round dark brown cookies arranged on a white plate, each topped with thin diagonal lines of glossy milk chocolate drizzle. The front cookie is bitten, revealing one inner layer of creamy white filling with a smooth texture inside the thick, dark cookie base. Small cookie crumbs are scattered around the bitten cookie on the plate. The plate sits on a colorful fabric with pink, yellow, red, and blue patterns placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made a lot of chocolate cookies over the years, but adding cream cheese right in the middle took these to a whole new level for me. The creaminess cuts through the rich chocolate perfectly, giving you an indulgent texture that’s both tender and slightly fudgy without feeling heavy.

Double Chocolate Delight: Combining Dutch cocoa and black cocoa creates an ultra-deep chocolate flavor that’s not overly sweet.
Cream Cheese Center: The cream cheese filling adds a soft, tangy surprise in every bite that contrasts beautifully with the cocoa.
Soft & Chewy Texture: Thanks to cornstarch and powdered milk, these cookies have a delicate crumb and melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Easy to Customize: Whether you prefer milk, dark, or white chocolate drizzles, the recipe adapts well to your taste.

A woman's hand holds a chocolate sandwich cookie broken in half, showing two thick dark brown cookie layers with a smooth white cream layer in the middle. The chocolate coating on top has thin darker brown stripes. More cookies with the same chocolate coating and striped pattern lie on a white marbled surface in the background. The photo is taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Pulling off the perfect Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe is all about the balance of ingredients. The cocoa powders provide complexity, while a touch of cornstarch and powdered milk lend softness. Quality cream cheese is key for that luscious center, and melting wafers make a neat finishing touch that’s easy to drizzle.

Flat lay of a small heap of all-purpose flour, a small mound of Dutch cocoa powder with its deep reddish-brown color, a smaller pile of intense black cocoa powder, a small pile of white cornstarch, a small pile of powdered milk, a small heap of fine granulated sugar, a half cup of salted butter cut into neat rectangular pats, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl of pure vanilla extract, a block of softened cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with vanilla bean paste, and a small white ceramic bowl containing round milk chocolate melting wafers — all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Gives structure without weighing down the cookies.
Dutch cocoa powder: Adds a smooth, rich chocolate base with a mellow bitterness.
Black cocoa powder: Intense chocolate flavor and darker color for drama.
Cornstarch: Keeps cookies tender and soft rather than cakey.
Powdered milk: Boosts richness and gives moist texture.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a soft crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender bite.
Salted butter: Adds flavor and richness; softened for easy creaming.
Salt: Enhances all the chocolate flavors.
Egg and egg yolk: Egg yolk adds richness and chewiness without extra egg white protein.
Whole milk: Keeps dough moist and helps bind ingredients.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors, bringing warmth and depth.
Cream cheese: The star of the filling with its creamy tang and smooth texture.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling without graininess.
Vanilla bean paste or extract: Adds fragrant notes to the filling.
Chocolate melting wafers: Perfect for drizzling because they melt smoothly and set shiny.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about the Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe is how adaptable it is. I often swap the vanilla bean paste for almond extract or add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for a little warmth. It’s your playground, so have fun experimenting!

Variation: I once added chopped toasted pecans inside with the cream cheese for extra crunch—it was a huge hit with my family.
Dairy-free alternative: Try a plant-based cream cheese and butter substitute for a vegan-friendly twist that still keeps the cookie moist.
Seasonal twist: Mixing in orange zest with the cream cheese filling gives the cookies a bright, festive edge perfect for winter holidays.
Chocolate drizzle options: Swap out melting wafers for good quality chocolate chips melted with a bit of coconut oil for a glossy finish.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients to Build Rich Chocolate Flavor

Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, Dutch cocoa, black cocoa, cornstarch, powdered milk, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Combining these first ensures your chocolate base is evenly flavored and the cookies have that lovely soft texture that melts in your mouth.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Light and Fluffy

Using softened salted butter, cream it together with the granulated sugar and salt for a full minute. Don’t rush this step—well-creamed butter and sugar trap air and make your cookies rise just right while keeping them tender. I usually do this with my stand mixer, but a hand mixer works just fine.

Step 3: Add Eggs, Milk, and Vanilla for Moisture and Flavor

Beat in the whole egg, then add an extra yolk for richness. Next, pour in the milk and vanilla extract and mix just until combined. Overmixing can toughen cookies, so stop as soon as everything looks incorporated.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry to Form the Cookie Dough

Add the dry ingredients in two parts to the wet, mixing gently after each addition until thoroughly combined. The dough will be soft and chocolatey—perfect for shaping.

Step 5: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

While the dough rests, whip the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla bean paste until completely smooth. This silky filling is what takes these cookies from ordinary to extraordinary.

Step 6: Shape Cookies with Cream Cheese Hidden Inside

Scoop about 1.8 ounces of dough (I use a #24 cookie scoop for consistency) and gently flatten it into a small bowl shape in your palm. Add a heaping teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture in the center, then carefully wrap the cookie dough around it, sealing completely. Roll into smooth balls and place on a lined baking sheet with the seam side down.

Step 7: Bake and Watch for the Perfect Moment

Bake at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes. You want the edges to be set but the tops still look matte with slight cracks. The cookies will be soft and tender when hot, so let them cool on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes before transferring to a rack to fully set.

Step 8: Melt Chocolate and Drizzle for a Finishing Touch

Once your cookies have cooled completely, melt your chocolate wafers in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between for smoothness. Pour into a piping bag and drizzle over your cookies. Let the chocolate harden before serving for that irresistible snap and shine.

Top Tip

Making these Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe just got easier with these tricks I learned after a few batches. They really helped perfect my results, and I want you to skip the guesswork!

Room temperature ingredients: I always set eggs, butter, and milk out ahead of time — the dough blends and bakes much more evenly this way.
Don’t overbake: These cookies will look underdone when you take them out, but rest assured they’ll firm up without drying out.
Sealing the dough: Press and pinch carefully around the cream cheese filling to avoid any leaks during baking.
Even cookie sizes: Use a cookie scoop for consistent size and baking times — trust me, it makes a difference!

How to Serve Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love the simple chocolate drizzle on these cookies, but sometimes I add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking to boost the chocolate flavors. If you’re feeling fancy, dusting with a little powdered sugar right before serving creates a lovely contrast.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a rich cup of coffee or espresso. For brunch or dessert parties, I often serve them alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, I’ve arranged them stacked in pretty glass jars with colorful ribbons for gift-giving. Lining a dessert platter with parchment and grouping these cookies by flavor drizzle (milk, dark, white chocolate) always wins compliments at parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering them between parchment paper to prevent sticking. They stay perfectly soft and delicious for up to 3 days, though I confess mine rarely last that long!

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies after baking and cooling by wrapping each cookie individually in plastic wrap, then placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. When properly wrapped, they maintain their texture and flavor beautifully for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To warm up frozen or refrigerated cookies, I microwave them for about 10-15 seconds — just enough to bring back that soft, gooey feeling inside without melting the chocolate drizzle completely. You’ll feel like you just baked them fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch and black cocoa?

You can! However, Dutch and black cocoa powder give this recipe its signature deep chocolate flavor and dark color. Using regular cocoa will yield a lighter, less intense chocolate cookie, but they will still be delicious.

Why is the cookie center cream cheese instead of chocolate?

The cream cheese center adds moisture and a slightly tangy contrast that balances the rich, intense chocolate cookie dough beautifully. It also helps create a tender, luscious bite with some surprise inside, elevating these cookies above standard chocolate varieties.

Can I make the dough ahead and bake later?

Absolutely! Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days before scooping and filling with cream cheese mixture. This can save time if you want freshly baked cookies on a different day.

How do I prevent the cream cheese filling from leaking?

Be sure to seal the dough around the cream cheese filling very well by pinching and pressing firmly. If the filling is exposed or the dough isn’t sealed properly, it can leak out during baking. Working gently but thoroughly helps keep the filling contained.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe holds a special place on my baking roster because it’s a dessert that feels both indulgent and comforting. I love sharing these with friends, watching their surprised smiles when they bite into that creamy center. Baking these cookies is like giving yourself a little moment of luxury, and I hope they become a favorite in your kitchen too.