Cream Cheese Cocoa Nib Cookies {slice & bake}
An easy slice and bake cookie, made with a cream cheese dough, cocoa nib cookies are studded with flavorful cocoa nibs and mini chocolate chips.
Are you a cocoa nib fan? I was recently introduced to cocoa nibs compliments of Scharffen Berger. If you aren’t sure what they even are, don’t feel bad, I wasn’t all that sure either.
Here’s how the ScharffenBerger website describes them (and I couldn’t have done better!): “Perfectly roasted cocoa beans cracked into small bits add crunchiness and subtle chocolate flavor to any recipe without adding sweetness.” I’ve seen them called “cocoa nibs” or “cacao nibs”.
They lend not only terrific flavor but also a fun crunch to this homemade chocolate cocoa nib ice cream. I’d like to try them in these cocoa nib scones by the Sweet and Sour Baker.
You’ll love these cream cheese cocoa nib cookies, rolled in cocoa nibs for a nice crunchy exterior and studded with mini chocolate chips. They’re easy to make because they’re slice and bake cookies. I think they’re kind of beautiful, don’t you? Try these cookies soon with a cup of hot chocolate!
About these cream cheese cocoa nib cookies:
As I mentioned, these cookies are slice and bake cookies. What’s a slice and bake? Think rolls of cookie dough you can buy in the grocery store, where you simply slice off cookie dough and bake the slices. Guess what? You can make your own! And they will be so much better!
This cookie dough is made with cream cheese and butter for a rich texture. I add mini chocolate chips to the dough. Once you have the dough made, divide it in half and roll each half into a long thin log. Wrap each log in parchment or waxed paper and refrigerate or freeze.
Once you are ready to bake, roll the logs in cocoa nibs, pressing them in so they stick. Slice the logs and bake the slices. It’s that easy!
More Slice and Bakes:
Like the idea of slice and bake cookies? I have lots more recipes to share with you:
Cream Cheese Cocoa Nib Cookies
An easy slice and bake cookie, made with a cream cheese dough, cocoa nib cookies are studded with flavorful cocoa nibs and mini chocolate chips.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
- 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups mini semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup to 1 cup cocoa nibs
Instructions
- Whisk flour and salt in a large bowl; set aside. Place butter and cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat on medium speed until pale and fluffy (approximately 2 minutes). Add sugar and vanilla and mix until combined. While mixer is running on low-speed, add flour mixture, and continue to mix until just combined. Mix in mini chocolate chips by hand.
- Transfer half of dough to a large sheet of parchment paper. Shape into a long log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap in parchment paper and repeat with other half of the dough. Freeze until firm, at least 30 minutes or up to 2 weeks.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare baking sheet by lining with parchment paper. Unwrap one log, roll in cocoa nibs (pressing lightly to adhere), coating lightly. Cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Space approximately 1 inch apart on baking sheets.
- Bake cookies until golden around edges, 16 to 18 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing from trays and letting cool completely on wire racks.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 2 cookiesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 216Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 142mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 2gSugar: 17gProtein: 4g
RachelCooks.com sometimes provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as they are not calculated by a registered dietitian. Please consult a medical professional for any specific nutrition, diet, or allergy advice.
A little tip: I don’t especially care if my cookies aren’t a perfect circle. They are rustic and homemade and I’m okay with that. If you want perfectly round cookies, Baked by Rachel has a great tip in her post. She uses two glasses to hold the logs while they chill and rotates them occasionally.
22 Comments on “Cream Cheese Cocoa Nib Cookies {slice & bake}”
Where do I find cocoa nibs, never heard of them, please help
The grocery store or online! Most likely in the baking aisle.
i love cocoa nibs – yum! would you believe that i’ve never tried making slice-and-bake cookies? i’ve been meaning to, since they seem so much quicker than the scoop-out-each-individual-one kind, + turn out so pretty. These are totally my style – will have to try these!
Those cookies look amazing!
these look REALLY good. i love the little specks of chocolate scattered throughout!
These look absolutely heavenly! And I have yet to bake with cocoa nibs so I will most definitely have to try these soon!
Mmmm, love the idea of cream cheese in a shortbread cookie! I bet it gives it great flavor and texture!
Cream cheese and chocolate. My dream cookie! Looks delish
Thank you! It is a terrific combo, and so easy to make!
Yummm! Look so lovely and very simple. I’ve never baked with cocoa nibs so this is on my recipe list.
Thanks! Let me know what you think!
These are so pretty! I need to pick up some cocoa nibs soon!
Oh WOW! I am missing out! I totally must get in on this nib thing.
Love that these are slice-and-bake! So fun and easy!
these cookies are so beautiful! i’ve never baked with cocoa nibs but i want to try now :)
Cream cheese cookies? Holy cow, I need the whole stinking batch. Amazing!!
These look amazing! I have a big paper bag of organic cocoa nibs sitting in the pantry with these cookies written all over it. I can’t wait.
I have never had a cocoa nib, but I now know I need to try them!! These look awesome!!
I love slice-and-bake ANYTHING! And the cocoa nibs… gah! Heaven!
I love cocoa nibs!! They make everything crunchy and delish. :-)
Oh these really do sound delicious Rachel! I love the crunch of cocoa nibs and I bet it goes so well with the cream cheese in the cookie.
YUM! These definitely look like a great version of a shortbread cookie, kicked up a notch! Sounds like the flavor of these is awesome. And I love their “rustic” look too. :)