Name: Chocolate Cheesecake 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, softened (170g); 1 cup powdered sugar (130g); 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract; ½ cup chocolate melting wafers (milk, dark, or white)

There's just something magical about combining rich chocolate with creamy cheesecake in a single bite. This Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies Recipe creates the perfect balance of fudgy, soft chocolate cookie and tangy cream cheese filling—makes for an irresistible treat you'll be glad you baked.

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 Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made plenty of chocolate cookies, but adding cheesecake filling inside them? That's next-level deliciousness. This Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies Recipe brings together two beloved desserts effortlessly, giving you a delightful surprise in every bite.

Perfect Texture: The cookie exterior is soft and fudgy with a tender crumb that pairs beautifully with the creamy filling.
Unique Flavor Combo: The tangy cream cheese contrasts the deep chocolate flavor, creating a sophisticated yet comforting taste.
Great for Any Occasion: These cookies make impressive treats for parties, holidays, or even a cozy night in.
Simple Technique: You don’t need advanced skills—just a little patience folding the dough around the cheesecake filling.

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

Each ingredient in this Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role, from the various cocoa powders adding deep chocolate flavor to the cornstarch and powdered milk creating a delicate texture. Here’s why I love these ingredients working in harmony.

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: The backbone of the cookie dough, provides structure without overwhelming the softness.
Dutch cocoa powder: Adds richness and a mellow chocolate flavor, perfect for dark, fudgy cookies.
Black cocoa powder: Gives intensity and depth with its bold, almost espresso-like notes.
Cornstarch: Helps to tenderize the cookie, keeping it soft and slightly crumbly.
Powdered milk: Adds subtle creaminess and helps reinforce the chocolate flavor.
Baking soda: Provides just enough lift for a light cookie without puffing it up too much.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a slight crisp edge while keeping the centers soft.
Salted butter: Contributes richness and enhances all the chocolate flavors.
Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the chocolate notes.
Egg and egg yolk: Adds moisture and helps bind everything together for a tender bite.
Whole milk: Lightens and moistens the dough just enough to fold around the filling easily.
Vanilla extract or bean paste: Brings warmth and aroma, rounding out the flavors.
Cream cheese: The star of the filling, delivering that luscious, tangy contrast to the deep chocolate cookie.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths the cheesecake filling.
Chocolate melting wafers: Perfect for drizzling on top for added decadence and visual appeal.

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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 the best things about this Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies Recipe is how you can easily tweak it to your taste or dietary needs. I enjoy swapping the fillings or toppings depending on the season or cravings.

Variation: Sometimes, I like folding in mini chocolate chips alongside the cream cheese filling for extra chocolate bursts—totally heavenly.
Dairy-Free: Try vegan cream cheese and non-dairy milk alternatives to make these cookies vegan-friendly.
Flavored Fillings: Adding a swirl of raspberry jam or orange zest into the cheesecake mix creates a festive twist that's a crowd-pleaser.
Size Adjustment: Go for larger cookies for a decadent dessert or smaller bite-sized versions perfect for parties.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients Together

Start by combining your flours and powders—Dutch cocoa, black cocoa, cornstarch, powdered milk, and baking soda—in a medium bowl. Whisking these together evenly distributes everything so your cookies bake just right. I usually pause here to smell that rich cocoa aroma—it’s like the promise of deliciousness.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar & Add Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl or mixer, cream the butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy—about a minute should do. Then, add the egg, extra yolk, milk, and vanilla. Mix these just until everything comes together. Don’t overmix here; you want to keep the batter tender.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Add half the dry mix to your wet base and beat until just combined, then add the rest. Mixing thoroughly but gently is key; if you overmix, the cookies can get tough. The dough should feel soft and slightly sticky but firm enough to scoop.

Step 4: Prepare the Cheesecake Filling

While the dough rests, beat together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste until smooth. This filling is the luscious surprise inside our cookies. I like using vanilla bean paste because it adds those pretty vanilla flecks and a richer flavor.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

Using a cookie scoop, portion out the dough into about 16 equal balls. Flatten each gently and press a dollop of cheesecake filling in the center. Then carefully fold the dough over the filling to seal it in—this part takes a bit of patience, but it’s worth it. I like to roll them into smooth balls with my hands, making sure the filling is fully enclosed.

Step 6: Bake & Cool

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are set but the tops still look a bit cracked and matte. Don’t worry if they look slightly underdone—that’s perfect! Let them cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes—they’ll firm up beautifully during this time before you transfer them to a wire rack.

Step 7: Add the Chocolate Drizzle

Once completely cooled, melt your choice of chocolate melting wafers and drizzle over the top for a touch of elegance. I usually warm the chocolate in 30-second bursts, stirring in between to avoid burning. The drizzle not only looks stunning but adds an extra layer of chocolate luxury.

Top Tip

From my experience baking this Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies Recipe several times, the secret to getting that perfect soft yet structured cookie lies in a few small details. These tips really made a difference for me.

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure eggs, butter, cream cheese, and milk are at room temp—this helps everything blend smoothly.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Fold in the dry ingredients gently to keep those cookies tender and soft.
Seal Filling Well: When encasing the cream cheese, pinch the dough edges firmly to prevent any oozing during baking.
Cool Before Chocolate Drizzle: Patience here is key—warm cookies can melt the chocolate and ruin that pretty drizzle effect.

How to Serve Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

chocolate cheesecake cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top right after the chocolate drizzle sets, which really amps up the flavor contrast. Sometimes a dusting of powdered sugar adds a lovely snowy look, especially around the holidays.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a rich coffee—both bring out the chocolate’s depth beautifully. For something cozy, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside makes a truly indulgent dessert experience.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve made these for birthday parties arranged on a tiered dessert stand, which instantly wowed guests. Wrapping a few in parchment paper tied with twine makes a cute gift, too. For holidays, adding themed sprinkles on the chocolate or using colored melting wafers creates festive flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay soft and lush that way. If it's humid, I sometimes refrigerate them to keep the cream cheese filling fresh, but I bring them back to room temp before serving for best flavor.

Freezing

These cookies freeze really well! I freeze the unbaked dough balls with the filling already inside, laid out on a parchment-lined tray. Once solid, I transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

To reheat, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them briefly in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This softens them back to that freshly baked texture without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

While you can substitute regular cocoa powder, Dutch and black cocoa provide deeper, richer flavors and darker color that make these cookies extra special. Regular cocoa will work but expect a slightly lighter taste and color.

How to prevent the cheesecake filling from leaking out?

Make sure to seal the dough firmly around the cream cheese filling by pinching and rolling between your palms until smooth. Also, avoid overfilling each cookie and bake at the proper temperature to help the dough set quickly.

Can I prepare these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the cookies and refrigerate them, covered, for up to 24 hours before baking, or freeze the unbaked dough balls for longer storage. This makes these cookies easy to prep in advance for events.

Are these cookies suitable for kids?

Yes! The soft texture and creamy filling make these cookies very kid-friendly. Just be mindful of the chocolate drizzle topping if serving to very young children.

Final Thoughts

I can honestly say this Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies Recipe has become a go-to in my baking arsenal. Whether it’s a casual snack or a showstopping dessert, the combination of tender chocolate cookie and silky cream cheese filling hits every note perfectly. I hope you’ll find yourself loving these as much as I do—and that they bring a little extra joy to your kitchen and your taste buds.