Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

We have an internship program at the advertising agency I work for.  I like the program and hate the program all at the same time.  It's good because we get young "kids" just getting ready to graduate from college, who have lots of energy and enthusiasm.  It's bad because if you get really good ones, you are just starting to get to know them well and enjoy working with them, when it's time for them to move on.

Why am I telling you this?  Well, you see, we had an intern, Casey, who joined our team last year in our social media department.  She was fantastic to work with from the beginning.  Always willing to help out.  Always friendly and easy going.  Always there with a smile on her face.  Hell, she even knew how to play the intern game.  She made sure to make herself known to us.  Not only us (as in other employees) but she always was also wise enough to make an impression on the owners.  She is smart, let me tell you.  After her internship ended, they brought her on part time.  Unfortunately, our SM department doesn't have enough work to keep her busy, so they had to let her go.  Knowing that last week was her last week there, I decided to make cookies for her.  Not that cookies even come close to thanking her for all she had done for me, but it's the one way I know how to truly put my heart into something and say thank you.

 

So, you probably think this story is going to end in a sad goodbye, right?  That's what I thought too, when I walked into work on Friday.  But alas, this story has a happy ending:  Casey was offered a job in another department Friday morning!!!  (WHEW!!  Nothing like waiting until the last minute to ask her, huh?)  She still is only part time, but my hope is that after she proves to them that she can take on any job, they'll find a way to keep her on permanently!!  My goodbye cookies became congratulations cookies.  And what better way to say congratulations then with cream cheese and chocolate chips all wrapped up in a cookie??

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Slightly adapted from Modern Mom
Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8oz package of cream cheese, softened
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
12oz bag of milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Whisk to combine; set aside.

In a bowl of a standing mixer with a paddle attachment.  Add the cream cheese and the butter.  Beat on medium speed until creamy and light, about 2 minutes.  Add the sugar and mix well.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the egg and vanilla.  Beat on medium speed for 1 minute.  Slowly, add the flour mixture a little at a time, until well combined.  Remove bowl from mixer and fold in chocolate chips.  (I refrigerated mine for 30 minutes, but you can skip that if you want.  I think it helps keep the cookies from spreading while baking.)

Roll dough into walnut size balls, place on baking sheets, and flatten just a little bit with your thumb. (to make much thinner cookies, just drop dough by the tablespoon directly onto the baking sheet)  Place in oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden.  Let rest on cookie sheet for 5 minutes then move to a wire rack to cool completely.  Your cookies should be light and cakey.  Enjoy!

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