FIRST STEP: PREPARE THE COOKIE DOUGH

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.

SECOND STEP: PREPARE THE CHEESECAKE FILLING

1. Mix Cream Cheese and Sugar: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
2. Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture and continue beating until fully combined.
3. Thicken with Flour: Stir in the flour to the cheesecake filling and mix until smooth. This will help the filling set and give it a nice texture inside the cookies.

THIRD STEP: ASSEMBLE THE COOKIES

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
2. Scoop Cookie Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the cookie dough, rolling it into balls and placing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Flatten Dough: Gently flatten the cookie dough balls with your fingers to create an even surface for the cheesecake filling.
4. Add Cheesecake Filling: Using a spoon, drop about 1-2 teaspoons of the cheesecake filling in the center of each flattened cookie dough ball. You can use a small offset spatula to gently smooth the filling if necessary.
5. Cover with Dough: Scoop a little more cookie dough on top of the cheesecake filling and gently seal the edges to encase the filling completely. Be careful not to let the cheesecake filling ooze out during baking.
6. Top with Mini Chocolate Chips (Optional): If desired, sprinkle some mini chocolate chips on top of each cookie for extra chocolatey goodness.

FOURTH STEP: BAKE THE COOKIES

1. Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown, and the cheesecake filling is slightly puffed up. The center of the cookies should still be soft and slightly set.
2. Cool the Cookies: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

FINAL STEP: ENJOY!

1. Serve and Enjoy: Once the cookies have cooled to room temperature, they’re ready to be served. The soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie pairs perfectly with the creamy cheesecake center, making each bite a little piece of heaven.