The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar

These chocolate chip cookies without brown sugar are sure to satisfy all your cookie cravings. It’s a quick, easy recipe that only requires 7 main ingredients and 15 minutes. Soft, chewy cookies are more than possible to achieve, even when you don’t have brown sugar, thanks to a secret ingredient.

Honestly, is there anything better than homemade chocolate chip cookies; especially when they’re sill warm and gooey from just coming out of the oven? Truly, nothing beats it. But what if your cookie craving hits, you’re ready to bake, and oh no! You realize you’re out of brown sugar, but not to worry, I’ve got you covered.

These are seriously the best chocolate chip cookies you can make without brown sugar. They’re so chewy, with a soft texture and incredible flavor. There’s only 7 basic ingredients, one bowl, and 15 minutes that stand between you and these delicious chocolate chip cookies.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE COOKIES

• Ready in 15 minutes
• No chilling necessary
• Only 7 basic ingredients
• Perfectly chewy cookies without brown sugar
• So easy, your kids can make them

WHAT YOU NEED FOR NO BROWN SUGAR CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

• Butter: I use salted butter at room temperature, but unsalted butter will also work
• Granulated sugar: My favorite is this organic one, but any white sugar works in this recipe
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract is best, or you could also use vanilla bean paste
• Egg: 1 large egg is all you need for this easy cookie recipe
• Flour: King Arthur All Purpose Flour is the best quality in my opinion, but any high quality all purpose flour will do
• Cream of tartar: This is the secret ingredient for achieving that perfect chewy texture without brown sugar
• Chocolate chips: I prefer semi-sweet for balance because the cookie is already pretty sweet

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES WITHOUT BROWN SUGAR

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees f and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
2. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add your softened butter and white sugar. Beat on high speed until creamy and paler in color
3. To the butter mixture, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix on medium speed until well incorporated
4. Turn the mixer off, to the wet ingredients add in your dry ingredients. Start on low speed and gently incorporate them.
5. Once the flour is JUST fully combined, turn the mixer off and remove the bowl.
6. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the chocolate chips in, then use a cookie scoop to portion out the cookies
7. Roll the portioned dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet and top with extra chocolate chips if desired
8. Bake in preheated oven for 9-10 minutes. Once edges are lightly golden brown. Take the baking sheets out of the oven and let the cookies cool on them for 4-5 minutes.
9. Use a flat rubber spatula to transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling, and follow directions 7-9 for the remaining cookie dough balls

CAN I MAKE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES WITH WHITE SUGAR?

Abso-freaking-lutely. In fact, these brown sugarless chocolate chip cookies may just be a new family favorite! Since I used cream of tartar, that actually prevents the sugar from crystalizing when baked resulting in chewy, super soft chocolate chip cookies that are addictive.

WHAT DOES BROWN SUGAR DO IN COOKIES?

Brown sugar is mostly used to achieve a chewier cookie with a light caramel flavor. The molasses in the sugar adds moisture resulting in a cookie is denser, moister, and chewier. If you’d like to read more about the science of sugars, check out this article.

Is it necessary for cookies?

Nope! Brown sugar is definitely not necessary for cookies. In fact, there’s many recipes out there that don’t require brown sugar. You could make snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, and molasses cookies all with regular sugar.

MORE MIX-IN IDEAS & INGREDIENTS SUBSTITUTIONS

If you want to jazz up your chocolate chip cookies, or simply want to try something new, I’ve got a whole bunch of yummy mix-in ideas you might like.

Chocolate chips: You can use semi-sweet, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate, dark chocolate, or peanut butter chips.

Dried fruit: Craisins, dried blueberries, raisins, or dried cherries

Chopped nuts: Peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, cashews. (be sure to toast them first!)

More fun mix-ins: Mini M&Ms, Butterfinger chips, chopped toffee

EXPERT TIPS

• Read the entire recipe first
• Use room temperature butter
• Really cream the butter and sugar until light and paler in color
• If you don’t have a stand mixer, an electric hand mixer will work
• Don’t overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added or else your cookies will be dense and tough
• Fold the chocolate chips in by hand so they don’t break
• Make the cookie dough the night before to save time. Just let the dough come to room temp before baking
• Bake for 12-13 minutes if you like a crispy cookie
• Store leftover cookies in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days

FAQs

1. How many cookies does the recipe make? This recipe will make about 16 medium sized cookies.
2. What’s the best way to store leftover cookies? For best results, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap them place into a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. (then you can have a delicious cookies whenever the craving hits!)
3. Can I double the recipe? Yes, you most definitely can! You can even triple it if you’d like. The only thing you can’t do is cut it in half because of the egg. If you only want a few cookies, try this recipe.
4. Do I need to chill the dough? No, this is a no chill cookie dough that bakes in just 10 minutes. If you want, you can make the dough the night before and keep it in the fridge overnight, but just let it come to room temperature before baking the cookies off.

Did you make these incredible chocolate chip cookies without brown sugar? If you did, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Additionally, you can follow me on Instagram and tag me if you make these or any other of my easy desserts.

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