These cream cheese cookies are so chewy, gooey, and made with just 5 simple ingredients! Made in just one bowl, they take minutes to make!
Ever tried making cookies with some unique ingredients? We do that often here.
We’ve tried using alternative flours (like almond and coconut) and not using any sugar at all (like in keto chocolate chip cookies). However, to change up your cookie game, add cream cheese to the batter and make cream cheese cookies!
Why this recipe works
- No flour. Just like peanut butter cookies and almond butter cookies, these are flourless, but you’d never tell.
- Just 5 ingredients. Count them yourself; and they are simple ones at that.
- No chilling required. Most cookie recipes require some chill time but not these ones!
What we love about this recipe is just how fast they are to make! From prep to plate, they come together in under 15 minutes!
Ingredients needed
- Cream cheese. Softened to room temperature. Dairy free cream cheese can also be used.
- Peanut butter. Smooth peanut butter, with no added sugar.
- Sugar of choice. I like using brown sugar, but white or raw sugar works.
- Baking soda. Helps the cookies from overspreading.
- Eggs. room temperature eggs are best.
- Vanilla extract. Optional, but highly recommended for any good cookie recipe!
Start by mixing all your ingredients in a large mixing bowl until combined. Next, use a cookie scoop to scoop out heaping two-tablespoon portions of the dough and place on a lined baking sheet.
Now, bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan completely.
Tips to make the best recipe
- If you’d like thicker cookies, you can chill the dough for 45 minutes before baking them.
- Do not over-bake the cookies, as they continue to firm up while they are cooling down.
- Avoid using low fat or reduced fat cream cheese, or your cookie dough will be super soft and lose stability once baked.
Dietary swaps and substitutions
The beauty of these cookies is just how easy they are to customize to a plethora of diets out there. Here are some tested options:
- Cut the carbs. For a keto cookie option, replace the sugar with either a brown sugar substitute or allulose.
- Make it eggless. If you follow a vegan or egg free diet, try using an egg substitute.
- Add some mix-ins. While delicious on their own, fold through some chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of chocolate.
- Make it dairy free. This works just as well with dairy free cream cheese.
Storage instructions
- To store: Leftover cookies can be stored at room temperature, covered, for up to 5 days. If you’d like them to keep longer, store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- To freeze: Place cookies in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, these cookies don’t need to be refrigerated as the cream cheese acts like a fat element (like butter).
Cream cheese from a block is the best option as it does not contain added water or fillers.
Cream Cheese Cookies (5 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 cup cream cheese 8 oz, softened
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup sugar * See notes
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients and mix well, until combined.
- Using a cookie scoop or a large spoon, scoop out heaping 2 tablespoon portions of the cookie dough and place them on the lined tray. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pan completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
What did you sprinkle on the cookies in the picture…. coarse salt/sugar? They look incredible. 😉
Hi David- just a sprinkle of the sweetener!
My cookies seem gummy or kind of rubbery in texture. I used room temperature eggs and regular cream cheese at room temperature. The only thing I changed was using monk fruit. Any idea what might have caused this?
Love your recipes by the way, I rarely find one I don’t like on your site.
Thank you
Hi Karen! What brand of cream cheese did you use? Sometimes they have added stabilizers in it that can cause foods to be gummy.
If these taste Anything like they look!!!!
*trying not to make these, tonight.
Review to follow, asap.
Please co- They are SO easy!
These are so good! Came together really quick too. Thanks for a great recipe.
Thank you, Susan!
Am I missing the note about the sweetener? I do not see it with the other notes?
Hi Diane! Sorry, it is fixed now- It just says I used keto brown sugar, but erythritol and monk fruit sweetener work too!
Can you use Splenda as the sweetener?
If you use the baking stevia I don’t see why not!
Hi Arman,
I used Philadelphia full fat cream cheese.
As a side note, my husband really likes them and they don’t taste bad, I just didn’t like the gummy/rubbery texture.
Thank you so much for your help
Love love love these!!! It was so hard not to just eat them raw!!
Omg! ThANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS RECIPE..
This has been the first keto cookie recipe that has turned out tasty to me. I used monk fruit in the raw and used 1/2 of a 1/2 cup.🥰
🙂 you are too sweet, Cheryl!
Wait I don’t see your stars! Loved this recipe and I will be trying more of your collection.
Best keto cookie. Perfect texture. Excellent flavor.
Awesomely delicious.
I do not like peanut butter, what can I substitute for that ingredient?
Almond butter or cashew butter.
My cookies did not firm up at all, cooked golden around edges, used Philadelphia cream cheese regular, taste good, but way to soft can’t pick up?
Hi Tara- did you let them cool completely?
It doesn’t say in the notes on what granulated sugar to use.
Can you use regular sugar?
Yes of course 🙂
These cookies look awesome and I can’t wait to make them for Super Bowl Sunday! Can you tell me what size cookie scoop you used? Thank you!
Hi! I used a 2 inch scoop!
Omg this is amazing 😋😋😋😋😋
Thank you, Krystal!