Irresistible Cream Cheese Chocolate Croissant Cookies: The Ultimate Holiday Baking & Gifting Guide
The holiday season is truly a magical time, filled with warmth, joy, and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods. It’s a period when kitchens become hubs of creativity, churning out delightful treats for family gatherings, festive parties, and, perhaps most importantly, thoughtful gift-giving. Among these cherished traditions, cookie exchanges stand out as a highlight. There’s something uniquely exciting about gathering with fellow baking enthusiasts and marveling at the incredible variety of cookies that adorn the table—each a testament to unique recipes, cherished family traditions, and countless hours of love poured into preparation.
This year, I had the pleasure of participating in an extraordinary event that elevated the traditional cookie exchange to a whole new level: The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap. This wasn’t just any cookie swap; it was a nationwide culinary adventure where passionate food bloggers from across the country exchanged their unique cookie creations, all while supporting an incredible cause. The anticipation of receiving a package filled with unknown, delicious cookies from a fellow blogger was thrilling, and the opportunity to contribute to a greater good made the experience even more special.
The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap: Baking for a Cause
What makes this particular cookie swap so truly exceptional? Beyond the sheer joy of exchanging incredible homemade cookies with talented food bloggers, the heart of this event lies in its charitable mission. Organized by the wonderful Julie and Lindsey, this annual swap has transformed into a powerful platform to raise significant funds for Cookies for Kids Cancer. It’s an inspiring example of how a shared passion for baking can bring people together to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
It’s easy to feel like our individual efforts to support charity are often small, but when you unite with a community of like-minded individuals, the collective impact can be astounding. Imagine, over $13,000 raised – all from a group of people simply wanting to share cookies! This remarkable achievement underscores the power of community and the profound generosity that emerges when people come together for a noble cause. Participating in such an event not only allowed me to share my passion for baking but also to contribute to a cause that helps children battling cancer, making every crumb and every chocolate chip feel incredibly meaningful.
Crafting the Perfect Cookie: Cream Cheese Chocolate Croissant Cookies
For an event like the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap, choosing the right cookie is crucial. You need a recipe that produces a delicious treat but also one that can withstand the rigors of shipping across the country. These Cream Cheese Chocolate Croissant Cookies proved to be the absolute perfect choice. Their sturdy yet delicate structure ensured they held up beautifully during transit, enduring the inevitable bumps and shakes of the delivery service without losing their charm. Despite their robustness, they retain a wonderfully delicate appearance, making them feel special and artisanal.
The balance of flavors is another key aspect. These cookies offer a delightful dose of chocolate, but not so much that they become overly prone to melting, a crucial consideration when sending treats to warmer climates. And the overall taste? Oh, the taste! Let’s just say it’s a very good thing this recipe yields a generous four dozen cookies. After carefully packing three dozen to send off to other eager participants, I allowed each of my children the privilege of a taste test. Let’s just say their delighted smiles and eager requests for more were testament enough to their deliciousness. As for how many I may have secretly enjoyed myself… well, I’ll leave you to do the math!
These croissant-shaped cookies, made with a rich cream cheese dough, offer a unique texture that’s tender and flaky, perfectly complementing the pockets of melted mini chocolate chips and a sprinkle of granulated sugar. They’re an exquisite blend of sweet and subtly tangy, making them incredibly addictive and memorable. Whether you’re making them for a cookie swap, a holiday party, or simply to treat yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to impress.
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Cream Cheese Chocolate Croissant Cookies
Ingredients
for the dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- decorator sugar for dusting
for the filling
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 cups mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add in sugar and vanilla, beat again until incorporated. Mix in flour and salt.
- Separate dough into 6 equal parts. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up dough.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and roll out each section of dough to about 8 inches in diameter. Place on wax paper on a plate, using wax paper to separate disks. Place back in refrigerator for another 30 minutes.
- Working with one disk at a time, brush with melted butter, then sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over the entire surface and then 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips. Cut into 8 wedges using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter (a pizza cutter works best). Roll each wedge up starting with the wide end, into a croissant shape.
- Place cookies on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Beat egg white and water to create an egg wash. Brush tops of cookies with egg wash then sprinkle with decorator sugar.
- Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20-22 minutes just until golden. Remove from oven and let rest on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before placing on racks to cool completely.
Notes and Tips for Success
This recipe is very flexible! It can easily be divided in half if you only wish to make 2 dozen cookies. Simply halve all the ingredient quantities. For best results, ensure your butter and cream cheese are truly softened to room temperature for a smooth, uniform dough. Don’t skip the chilling steps; they are essential for managing the dough and achieving the perfect flaky texture. When rolling out the dough, a lightly floured surface can help prevent sticking. For even baking, rotate your cookie sheets halfway through the baking time.
Store these delicious Cream Cheese Chocolate Croissant Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months—simply thaw at room temperature before serving.
Recipe source: ChocolateChocolateandmore.com
Did you make this recipe?
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I sincerely hope these Cream Cheese Chocolate Croissant Cookies were enjoyed by those who received them as much as I enjoyed baking them and, of course, taste-testing a few myself! The joy of creating and sharing such delightful treats is truly unmatched.
A Delightful Cookie Haul: What I Received!
The excitement didn’t end with sending off my own cookies. The best part of the swap was undoubtedly receiving the amazing cookies from other talented food bloggers! It’s like a sweet surprise package arriving at your doorstep, each one a mystery waiting to be unveiled. I was so delighted by the creations that landed on my porch:
Angel Wings from Sugar and Grace – These cookies were incredibly light and delicate, almost ethereal! They melted in my mouth and were absolutely perfect alongside a warm cup of coffee, making for a truly blissful moment. A wonderful treat that felt like a hug in cookie form.
Brown Sugar Cookies with Chocolate, Pecans, and Sea Salt from Savor.Good.Food – These cookies were an absolute triumph of flavor. I particularly loved the subtle hint of sea salt that cut through the sweetness, perfectly complementing the rich chocolate and crunchy pecans in every single bite. Sweet and salty is indeed always a winning combination, and these were expertly crafted!
Discover More Cookie Inspiration
If these delightful tales of baking and cookie exchanges have sparked your own craving for homemade treats, then you’re in luck! I have a treasure trove of other fantastic cookie recipes that are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s another cookie swap, a holiday gathering, or just a cozy night in. Dive into these tempting options to find your next baking adventure:
Dark Chocolate Tiger Cookies
Caramel Apple Toffee Cookies
Mexican Wedding Cakes
Brownie Waffle Cookies
Root Beer Float Cookies
50 Cookies to fill your Cookie Jar
Baking is more than just following a recipe; it’s about creating memories, sharing joy, and connecting with others through the universal language of delicious food. Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a special event or simply indulging a sweet craving, I hope these recipes bring as much happiness to your home as they do to mine. Happy baking!