Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition, followed by the vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk together until well combined and smooth.
Assemble the Cookies: Take a tablespoon of cookie dough and flatten it in your palm. Place about a teaspoon of the cheesecake filling in the center, then wrap the dough around it and roll into a ball. Place it on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave enough space between each cookie.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the edges are golden brown. The centers will look slightly soft but will firm up as they cool down.
Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these delightful treats while they’re still warm!