Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip

Growing up, I thought cookie dough was only meant for sneaking bites while baking – despite my mom’s warnings about raw eggs. It wasn’t until college that my roommate introduced me to the idea of making cookie dough specifically for eating.

That’s when I discovered you could make an egg-free version that’s totally safe to eat. This cookie dough dip takes all the best parts of traditional chocolate chip cookie dough – the brown sugar, the vanilla, the chocolate chips – and turns them into a creamy, dippable treat that you can enjoy without any worry. And the best part? No oven required.

What Kind of Cream Cheese Should I Use?

Full-fat block cream cheese is your best bet for this dip – it creates the smoothest, creamiest texture and helps the dip hold its shape. While you might be tempted to use low-fat cream cheese to cut calories, it can make your dip a bit watery and less rich-tasting. Make sure to let your cream cheese sit out for about an hour before starting – room temperature cream cheese blends much more smoothly and helps prevent lumps in your dip. Just be sure to avoid cream cheese spread that comes in tubs, as it’s formulated differently and contains additives that can affect the texture of your finished dip.

Options for Substitutions

Want to make this dip but missing something? Here are some handy swaps you can try:

• Cream cheese: If you’re out of cream cheese, mascarpone makes a great substitute. You could also use Neufchâtel cheese for a lighter option with nearly the same taste and texture.
• All-purpose flour: Remember to heat treat any flour you use! You can swap in heat-treated oat flour or almond flour for a gluten-free version. Just make sure to toast these alternatives first too.
• Brown sugar: No brown sugar? Mix regular white sugar with 1-2 teaspoons of molasses. Or use coconut sugar for a different but equally nice flavor.
• Mini chocolate chips: Regular-sized chips work fine – just give them a rough chop. Or try other mix-ins like chopped nuts, toffee bits, or mini M&Ms.
• Graham crackers: For dipping, try vanilla wafers, animal crackers, pretzels, apple slices, or any crispy cookie you have on hand.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making chocolate chip cookie dough dip is using cold cream cheese and butter, which will leave you with lumpy dip – make sure both ingredients are properly softened at room temperature for at least 1-2 hours before starting. The raw flour needs to be heat-treated first (spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes) to eliminate any harmful bacteria and make it safe to eat raw. Another common error is over-mixing after adding the chocolate chips, which can cause them to break down and streak through the dip – fold them in gently at the very end just until evenly distributed. For the smoothest results, beat the cream cheese and butter together first until completely smooth before adding other ingredients, and make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently while mixing.

What to Serve With Cookie Dough Dip?

While graham crackers are the classic choice for this sweet dip, there are so many other tasty options to try! Fresh fruit like strawberries, apple slices, or banana chunks work great and add a healthier twist to this indulgent treat. For the ultimate snacking experience, set out a variety of dippers like pretzels, vanilla wafers, or even Oreo cookies – the salty-sweet combo with pretzels is especially good. You can even serve this dip as part of a dessert board alongside some other cookies and treats for a fun party spread.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cool: This cookie dough dip stays fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days when kept in an airtight container. Just remember to take it out about 15-20 minutes before serving so it can soften up to the perfect dipping consistency.

Make Ahead: Planning a party? You can whip this up a day or two before – it actually tastes even better after the flavors have had time to mingle! Just give it a good stir before serving to make sure everything’s well combined.

Freeze: While you can freeze this dip for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container, the texture might change a bit when thawed. If you do freeze it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and give it a good whisk to bring back its creamy texture.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	10-20 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1500-1700
• Protein: 10-15 g
• Fat: 90-100 g
• Carbohydrates: 160-180 g

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt or finely ground sea salt
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• Graham crackers (for dipping)

Step 1: Heat-Treat the Flour

Begin by measuring ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and placing it in a microwave-safe dish.

Microwave the flour in 10-second increments until it reaches a safe temperature above 165°F (71°C) to eliminate any potential bacteria.

Stir the flour to help it cool down and then set it aside.

Step 2: Cream the Base Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine 8 oz of softened cream cheese and ½ cup of softened unsalted butter.

Add ¾ cup of firmly packed brown sugar (you can use a blend of light and dark brown sugar) and ¼ cup of granulated sugar to the bowl.

Mix in ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon of table salt or finely ground sea salt.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients into a Smooth Mixture

Use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and butter mixture until it is creamy, smooth, and well combined, ensuring there are no lumps left in the mixture.

This step is crucial for achieving a velvety texture.

Step 4: Incorporate the Flour

Sift the cooled, heat-treated flour over the cream cheese mixture.

Break up any lumps with a spoon as needed to ensure a smooth texture.

Stir the flour into the mixture until it is completely combined and evenly distributed.

Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips

Fold in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dip.

This will add a delightful burst of chocolate flavor in each bite.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the dip to a serving dish.

Optionally, you can sprinkle additional mini chocolate chips on top for decoration and extra chocolate goodness.

Serve the dip immediately, or cover and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Enjoy this creamy, indulgent treat with your choice of dippers!