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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.
Do you use salted or unsalted peanut butter for your pb cookies? Ty!
I like unsalted, because the cream cheese has a slight tang, but you can use salted if you like 🙂
Can you replace the eggs with flax seed? For an eggless cookie?
These cookies are my favorite. So delicious.
I love reading your recipes and hope I can start making more of them. I follow a GF/DF diet and am paleo-ish. I like to bake with honey (or maple syrup), and I’m looking for recipes that don’t have a lot of honey or maple syrup in them. I don’t want to have my baked goods be super sweet. If you have some recipes such as I’ve described, please let me know. Thanks very much! ¡Mil gracias!
Hi there,
I’ve been Keto for 4+ years and make a ton of desserts! I’m excited to add these into the rotation!! (Making them today!) I’m wondering if you’ve ever added anything into the mix (like white chocolate chips, or pecans..etc) and if yes, does it change the baking time? Thanks 🙂
For sure! Cooking time won’t change 🙂
Hi there,
I’ve been Keto for 4+ years and make a ton of desserts! I’m excited to add these into the rotation!! (Making them today!) I’m wondering if you’ve ever added anything into the mix (like white chocolate chips, or pecans..etc) and if yes, does it change the baking time?
Tried these..came out nice and soft. Only thing for me they were too sweet. Will try with less sweetener next time.
Delish!
Hiya!
Just to let everyone know, if you can’t use peanut butter, don’t be afraid to substitute Wowbutter (soy butter). It works!
I just made a second batch, this time substituting tahini for PB. They just came out of the oven and are cooling. Can’t wait to find out how they turned out!
I don’t think there is a recipe that I haven’t enjoyed, and this one is no exception. They are so easy to make and have been a hit in my keto household, as well as non keto friends and family. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
I put a pinch of salt flakes on top, amd they were amazing, even the dough!!
I love that!! I thought I was the only one to eat the dough… 😉
I added chocolate chips and they were delicious. Mine came out a little cake-like but that just made them even better. The best part is they were so quick to make.
I made the cookies and got 27 of them using a #30 cookie scoop. Anyway…they didn’t flatten out like yours, but they are super tasty!
Can I use full fat whipped cream cheese? I don’t have any hard cream cheese.
Not that I’ve tried
The cookies were full of flavor and soft because I used a powdered sweetener. These are the best keto cookies I have ever tasted. I added sugar free chocolate chips so these cookies are super yummy.