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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar

    Published: Mar 25, 2023 · Modified: Dec 4, 2024 by Nadia · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    These decadent Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar are soft, chewy, and full of chocolatey goodness. In just 30 minutes, your kitchen will smell like a bakery, and you'll have warm, gooey, mouthwatering cookies that everyone will love.

    Close-up of five homemade cookies with chunky chocolate pieces and a sprinkle of sea salt on top, placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet. The cookies have a rustic, textured appearance.

    There is something so comforting about the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies wafting through the house. So, if you are a fan of chocolate chip cookies, you absolutely must try this recipe.

    These cookies are slightly crisp on the outside, yet moist and chewy on the inside; when served warm, you won't be able to resist the ooey-gooey chocolate chunks that melt in your mouth. 

    Not only are these cookies incredibly delicious, but you can also feel good about eating them. We swap out the brown sugar for coconut sugar to keep this recipe refined and sugar-free. 

    Make these cookies for your next party, BBQ, or picnic. They are also perfect to bake during the holiday season. 

    If you love cookies you will also want to check out my, Gluten-Free Monster Cookies, Brown Butter S'mores Cookies, Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies, and my "M&M" Almond Flour Cookies.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • No Brown Sugar, No Problem: You don't need brown sugar to make a classic chocolate chip cookies! This recipe works perfectly with pantry staples.
    • Foolproof Method: This is an easy recipe that allows for even beginner bakers to create bakery-worthy cookies at home.
    • Customizable: Feel free to tweak the recipe to meet your dietary needs. You can also add mix-ins to make it your own!

    Ingredients

    Top-down view of various ingredients labeled for baking: gluten-free flour, almond flour, peanut butter, maple syrup, egg, sea salt, coconut oil, vanilla extract, chocolate chips, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder.
    • Almond Flour: I prefer Bob's Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour, but any fine Almond Flour will do. I've used both the super-fine and regular almond flour, which makes the flourless cookies a bit grainy, but it will work in a pinch. 
    • Gluten-Free Baking Flour: Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour works really well, however you can use any gluten-free flour blend.
    • Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Yes, you need both! 
    • Sea Salt: Any sea salt will work, however, something like Redmond Real Salt is a great option.
    • Peanut Butter: You will want to use plain-creamy peanut butter. If you don't like peanut butter, you can use Almond Butter.
    • Egg: Room temperature, if time permits.
    • Coconut Oil: If you can handle dairy feel free to use unsalted butter or ghee, however, the coconut oil gives the cookie a hint of extra sweetness.
    • Maple Syrup: If possible, organic maple syrup with no additives is best. You can also use coconut sugar if you prefer.
    • Vanilla Extract: You can also use vanilla bean paste if you'd like.
    • Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds warmth and a subtle sweetness to the cookie.
    • Chocolate Chips: To keep this recipe refined sugar-free, you will want to use chocolate chips or a chocolate bar such as Hu gems or chop up their chocolate bar into small chunks.
    • Flakey Sea Salt: I like a little finishing salt on top to add that subtle hint of salt that pairs oh so well with chocolate! Maldon's Sea Salt is my favorite.

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    Substitutions And Variations

    • No Egg: If you don't do eggs, you can use an egg replacer or a flax egg.
    • Brown Sugar: This recipe calls for maple syrup which keeps this recipe refined sugar-free, however, if you are not worried about consuming refined sugar you can swap out the maple syrup, granulated sugar, or brown sugar if you have it.
    • All-Purpose Flour: If you are not gluten-free, you can use all-purpose flour instead.
    • Chocolate Chips: I like using dark chocolate chips, but you could use milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, or white chocolate chips.
    • Other Add-Ins: Try mixing in your favorite nuts, dried fruit, or favorite candies like these Homemade Cinnamon Marshmallows.

    How to Make Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar


    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    A glass bowl containing a mixture of dry ingredients, possibly flour and sugar, with a metal whisk resting in the mixture. The bowl is placed on a light wooden surface.

    Step 1. Add almond flour, gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.

    A mixing bowl containing an egg, peanut butter, and coconut oil on a light wooden surface.

    Step 2. In a stand-mixer bowl, add peanut butter, coconut oil, and egg. Use the paddle attachment and mix until everything is combined and smooth.

    A close-up of a mixing bowl with a white paddle attachment covered in a thick, brown batter. The bowl has some batter spread around its bottom and sides. The backdrop is blurred, highlighting the bowl and paddle.

    Step 3. Add in maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Mix again to combine.

    A metal mixing bowl containing a mound of brown dough. The dough appears thick and textured, sitting in the center of the bowl on a light wooden surface.

    Step 4. Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until combined.

    A metallic mixing bowl containing a dough mixture with chocolate chips scattered on top. The dough appears soft and light brown in color. The background shows a wooden surface.

    Step 5. Fold in ¾ cup chocolate chips and put the dough in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to set.

    Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

    Unbaked Sourdough discard chocolate chip cookies on parchment paper.

    Step 6. Using a cookie scoop, measure the dough into 10-12 balls and place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet. Gently press down on the dough to slightly flatten and top each cookie with a few extra chocolate chips.

    Close-up of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Each cookie is golden brown with large, melted chocolate chunks and a sprinkle of sea salt on top.

    Step 7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Top each cookie with a pinch of flakey sea salt while warm. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes then transfer them to a cooling rack.

    Expert Tips And Notes

    • Chill The Dough: I recommend chilling the cookie dough for 10-15 minutes, as I find it is easier to handle. Otherwise, the dough can be tough to work with.
    • No Stand Mixer, No Problem: You don't need an electric mixer to make these cookies. You still make this recipe with a hand mixer or a whisk.
    • Reserve A Few Chocolate Chips: I like to reserve a few chocolate chips for topping the cookies before baking. Just add an extra chocolate chip or two to the top of each cookie right before you bake.
    • Don't Sleep On The Flakey Salt: Sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies right when they come out of the oven adds such a nice contrast and helps balance out the cookie. Do NOT skip this step!
    • Watch Your Cookies While They Bake: Every oven is different, so the baking time might vary. If you like your cookies with slightly crispy edges and a chewy texture on the inside, be sure to remove them from the oven right when the edges just start to turn golden brown.

    Serving Suggestions For Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

    • Serve these delicious cookies alongside a glass of my Homemade Cashew Milk, or your favorite milk of choice.
    • Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two chewy cookies for homemade ice cream sandwiches.
    • Pair with an Iced Maple Latte, Pumpkin Spice Latte, or Peppermint Matcha Latte.

    Save This Recipe! 📧

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Storage And Reheating

    • Storage: Allow the cookies to cool then place them in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for 3-5 days.
    • Reheating: For best results, allow the baked cookies to cool completely, then lay them in a single layer in a freezer bag or container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    • Freezing: Warm them in the oven at 200 degrees for 3-5 minutes.

    Recipe FAQs

    How can I make these cookies softer?

    Be sure not to overbake them! Removing the cookies from the oven when the centers are still soft helps them stay chewy.

    Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

    Yes! Store the dough in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it in portioned balls for up to 3 months.

    Can I use brown sugar if I have it?

    Absolutely! You can replace the maple sugar with brown sugar, but the recipe will no longer be refined sugar-free.

    A close-up of five chocolate chip cookies on a baking sheet. The cookies are chunky, with dark chocolate pieces and a sprinkle of sea salt on top. The cookies have a golden-brown, slightly crumbly appearance.

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      Apple Sourdough Bread (Moist + Easy Fall Recipe)
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    If you tried this recipe please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. You can also stay in touch through social media by following along on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Facebook. Thanks for visiting today!

    Close-up of three freshly baked chocolate chip cookies on a textured surface. The cookies are thick, with visible chunks of melted chocolate and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt on top.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar

    Nadia
    These decadent Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar are made without brown sugar but are still soft, chewy, and full of chocolatey goodness. In just 30 minutes, your kitchen will smell like a bakery, and you'll have warm, gooey, mouthwatering cookies that everyone will love.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    10 minutes mins
    Total Time 27 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 193 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Dry Ingredients

    • 1 cup Almond Flour extra fine
    • ¼ cup 1:1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour
    • ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Baking Soda
    • ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt

    Wet Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup Peanut Butter
    • 1 Egg room temperature
    • ¼ cup Coconut Oil

    Other Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup organic
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
    • ¾ cup Chocolate Chips Hu Gems
    • Finishing Salt to taste
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a large mixing bowl, add almond flour, gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine.
    • In a stand-mixer bowl, add peanut butter, coconut oil  and egg. Affix paddle attachment and mix until everything is combined and smooth.
    • Add in maple syrup, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Mix again to combine.
    • Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet and mix on low until combined.
    • Fold in ¾ cup chocolate chips and put dough in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to set.
    • Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    • Using a cookie scoop, measure dough into 10-12 balls and place each ball on the parchment lined baking sheet.  Gently press down on dough to slightly flatten and top each cookie with a few extra chocolate chips.
    • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Top each cookie with a pinch of flakey sea salt while warm.  Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 15 minutes then enjoy.

    Notes

    Expert Tips And Notes
    • Chill The Dough: I recommend chilling the cookie dough for 10-15 minutes, as I find it is easier to handle. Otherwise, the dough can be tough to work with.
    • No Stand Mixer, No Problem: You don't need an electric mixer to make these cookies. You still make this recipe with a hand mixer or a whisk.
    • Reserve A Few Chocolate Chips: I like to reserve a few chocolate chips for topping the cookies before baking. Just add an extra chocolate chip or two to the top of each cookie right before you bake.
    • Don't Sleep On The Flakey Salt: Sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies right when they come out of the oven adds such a nice contrast and helps balance out the cookie. Do NOT skip this step!
    • Watch Your Cookies While They Bake: Every oven is different, so the baking time might vary. If you like your cookies with slightly crispy edges and a chewy texture on the inside, be sure to remove them from the oven right when the edges just start to turn golden brown.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 193kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 106mgPotassium: 92mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 26IUVitamin C: 0.003mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Nadia

    Hi, y'all! I’m Nadia the recipe creator, photographer, and writer behind Simple And Fraiche. I’m here to help you discover that cooking wholesome, nourishing meals can be approachable, enjoyable, and packed with flavor. 


    As someone with a background in health and fitness and a certified nutrition coach, I’ve worked with hundreds of clients who all face the same challenge: How can you eat foods that fuel your body and help you achieve your health goals without sacrificing flavor?

    My mission is to help you overcome that hurdle by sharing easy, nutrient-dense recipes that make you excited to get in the kitchen.

    More About Me

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