Chocolate Chipless Cookies

These chocolate chipless cookies have the same buttery, chewy base as a classic chocolate chip cookie but without the chocolate! They're perfect if you're out of chocolate chips or aren't a chocolate fan.

Have you ever been eating a chocolate chip cookie and thinking "Wow, this is so good. I kinda wish I could have the cookie with no chocolate chips". Or is it just me? Either way, these chocolate chipless cookies are soft, chewy, and absolutely delicious. You won't even miss the chocolate!

These cookies are rich, buttery, and chewy on the inside with crisp edges. They have all the best parts of a CCC recipe, just without the chocolate!

The best part about this recipe is how quick and easy it is. The cookie dough is made in one bowl with no mixer and no chilling time required!

If you're a chocolate chip cookie lover, try my small batch chocolate chip cookies, peanut M&M cookies, cut out cookies with chocolate chips, small batch oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and raspberry chocolate chip cookies.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes about the ingredients used. The measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

• Unsalted butter- Unsalted butter gives us the most control over the flavor. You can use salted butter, just omit the additional salt in the recipe. No need for the butter to be at room temperature since it'll be melted. Melted butter helps chocolate chip cookies get those lovely crisp edges.
• Brown sugar- Brown sugar adds a warm, caramel-like flavor and keeps the cookies thick. You can use light or dark brown sugar depending on your flavor preference; dark brown sugar will have a more pronounced molasses flavor. Make sure it is moist and fresh, not dried up.
• Granulated sugar- Granulated white sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness. Caster and cane sugar work as substitutes.
• Large egg- A whole egg helps bind the ingredients together.
• Egg yolk- Adding an extra egg yolk makes cookies extra soft and chewy! I used the same technique for these chocolate chip sugar cookies. Make sure the egg and the egg yolk are at room temperature. Take them out of refrigerator 30 minutes before you start.
• Vanilla extract- This rounds out the flavor profile. You'll need a little more of it in this recipe since there's no chocolate. Pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste work.
• All purpose flour- All purpose flour gives the cookies a tender crumb while keeping them chewy. Make sure to measure it accurately with a kitchen scale.
• Baking soda- Baking soda interacts with the acid in the brown sugar, producing carbon dioxide that helps the dough rise and encourages spreading. Make sure your baking soda is less than 6 months old since it loses its power over time. Do not use baking powder since it isn't as strong as baking soda!
• Sea salt- Use finely ground sea salt or table salt. Baked goods need salt or they'll be too sweet!

Substitutions and Variations

• Butter: Vegan buttery sticks can be substituted to make the cookies dairy free.
• All purpose flour: Substitute measure-for-measure gluten free all purpose flour if you're making these for someone with gluten sensitivities.
• Sea salt: Substitute fine Kosher salt or pink Himalayan sea salt. Add an additional ¼ teaspoon if your salt isn't finely ground.
• Fold ½ cup of frozen berries into the batter before baking for some freshness and color. You can also fold in chopped nuts, pretzels, marshmallows (like this s'mores skillet cookie), dried fruit, peanut butter or butterscotch chips
• Press some sprinkles into the tops of the dough balls before baking for a festive twist. I also like sprinkling flaky sea salt on top after they've baked.

Helpful Equipment and Tools

Here are some tools I recommend for success in the kitchen!

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Half cookie sheets: If you live in a small space and have a mini oven, use quarter baking pans and place 6 dollops of dough on each pan instead of 8.
• Parchment paper
• I like using a medium cookie scoop that holds 1.5 ounces. The cookies will be large, but not so large that they spread and bake into each other in the oven.

Expert Baking Tips

1. Use a kitchen scale. Baking with a scale is much more accurate than using imperial (cup) measurements. Metric measurements are in the recipe card. If you don't have a scale, gently spoon the flour into your measuring cup (don't pack it in!) and swipe the excess back into the flour bag.
2. Use room temperature ingredients. Using room temperature ingredients creates a smooth, fully blended batter that will bake up evenly.
3. Don't overmix. Mix the dough just until no dry flour pockets remain. Overmixing cookie dough makes more gluten develop, and too much gluten makes cookies tough and gummy.
4. Underbake the cookies. The cookies will keep baking on the hot tray when you remove them from the oven. Because of this, we want them to be slightly underbaked. Take the cookies out of the oven when the edges are set and light brown with the centers still undercooked.

Storage and Freezing

Store baked cookies in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for 3-4 days. I don't recommend storing them in the refrigerator because it can dry them out.

Freezing

Room temperature baked cookies can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature for about 3 hours before enjoying.

You can easily freeze the cookie dough balls to bake later! Scoop the dough onto the baking trays and chill in the freezer for at least two hours. After that, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Dough will stay fresh for up to 3 months and can be baked straight from the freezer. Just add a couple minutes on to the bake time.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Cookies to Try