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    Home » Desserts

    Published: May 13, 2021 · Modified: May 13, 2022 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar or Baking Powder

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These homemade chocolate chip cookies without brown sugar are inspired by the original Toll House cookie recipe. If you do not have any, this cookie recipe using no brown sugar is for you.  You do not have to use brown sugar to bake fantastic fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.  These cookies are all the things you love, including they smell like home, are sweet, buttery, decadent, and packed with gooey semi-sweet chips in every bite.

    There are a few changes so these chocolate chip cookies are still soft on the inside even without the brown sugar and using only white sugar.   Brown sugar lends to the chewy moist texture in cookies but my secret ingredient does ensure you still get a crisp on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, & perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie. This easy recipe is still from scratch but made with just white sugar in place of both white and brown sugars combined.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar PN1 a wood slab with a plate of cookies stacked on top and a few cookies to the side and a glass of milk

    Substitute for Brown Sugar in Cookies

    If you have asked before if you can substitute white sugar for brown sugar in cookies, you are not alone.  Fortunately, the answer is yes and they turn out just as tasty.  You can replace brown sugar in a recipe and use only white sugar when making these chocolate chip cookies.  To substitute brown sugar with granulated white sugar, do so in a 1:1 ratio.

    There is a small difference in texture and color when baking cookies without brown sugar texture. Cookies Brown sugar, thanks to the molasses in it, gives cookies moisture. It makes cookies soft, chewy, and a bit darker in color. When using only white sugar versus a combination of both, cookies will be more crispy and lighter in color.  To still maintain the soft chewy texture of a good chocolate chip cookie, while not using brown sugar add cornstarch to the dough.  Cornstarch will help make them thicker and softer so they do not flatten out, resulting in a thinner cookie that is crispy.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar cookies fanned out ready to eat

    Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookies

    These chocolate chip cookies are made with granulated white sugar only, no brown sugar.  This chocolate chip cookie recipe is without brown sugar but has all the other usual ingredients; flour, baking soda, salt, butter, eggs, vanilla, and semi-sweet chocolate chips.

    The key to having moist and chewy cookies even without brown sugar is by adding cornstarch. Adding cornstarch also makes this recipe chocolate chip wonderful without baking powder. There is no need for baking powder when we are adding cornstarch and baking soda.  That is what I have done here and the results are soft, chewy, & fluffy.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar ingredients

    How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar

    For this recipe, it is best to start with room-temperature ingredients. So you may need to plan ahead so that your butter and eggs are ready once you want to start mixing the cookie dough.   Eggs mix easier when not cold, the yolk tends to combine easier with the whites and other ingredients. Eggs only need about 20 minutes or so to come to a temperature. Sticks of butter need at least an hour to soften at room temperature.  For a quick 15-20 minute hack try this microwave steaming method to Soften Butter Quickly. 

    Combine the Dry Ingredients

    In a small mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, salt, & cornstarch.  Set the bowl aside until you are ready to combine it with the wet ingredients later.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar adding salt to dry ingredients

    Combine the Wet Ingredients

    ** remember **  Bring butter & eggs to room temperature before mixing the dough.

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients - softened butter, sugar, and vanilla. Using a hand mixer, mix on medium speed to cream the ingredients together until well combined.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar adding vanilla to sugar and butter

    Add the eggs one at a time and mix at low to medium speed. Once both eggs are combined with the wet ingredients, the dry ingredients are ready to be added.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar add eggs to creamed mixture

    Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet Ingredients

    Add ½ of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With the hand mixer on low to medium, mix to bring the dry and wet ingredients together. Add the other half slowly with the mixer on low until all the dry ingredients are added. Then mix on medium speed to combine completely, scrape edges with a rubber spatula as need to incorporate all ingredients together.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar adding dry to wet ingredients

    Add the Chocolate Chips to the Cookie Batter

    Once the dough is ready, pour in the chocolate chips. Fold or stir them gently into the cookie dough to evenly distribute.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar add chocolates to batter in the bowl

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar fold in the chocolate chips

    Refrigerate the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

    Chill the dough in the refrigerator for an hour. This will allow the cookies to bake slowly and not spread. This step is what gives the soft & chewy thick cookies even without the brown sugar. If you want them to be thin and crispy, you can skip this step.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar bowl of batter on a shelf in the refrigerator

    How To Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar

    About 10 minutes before the dough is done chilling, preheat the oven to 350°.

    Scoop the Chilled Cookie Dough  & Bake

    Prepare a cookie sheet with a Silpat mat or spray/grease. Using hands or a cookie scoop, drop tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough on the baking sheet. A dozen at a time will fit as you keep them evenly spaced so they can bake up evenly.  Do not flatten the cookies. Leave the dough in balls so they bake slowly and do not spread too thin.  This helps the chocolate chip cookies maintain the thick, soft, and chewy texture we love.
    Once ready, bake 10-12 minutes on the middle rack of the oven.  Be sure to continue to chill the remaining cookie dough by placing it back in the refrigerator between batches.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar cookie batter dropped on a greased baking sheet

    Cool the Chocolate Chip Cookies before Eating

    Using a spatula, carefully remove hot cookies from the baking sheet and place them on a cooling rack.  They need only a few minutes to cool if you want to eat them warm.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar cookies cooling on a baking rack

    Enjoy cookies slightly warm or cool completely to stack or store for later enjoyment. Continue shaping, baking, and cooling each dozen. This will make about 4-5 dozen cookies, depending on the size of the cookies you are rolling into dough balls.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar stacked cookies on the cooling rack

    Other Cookie Ideas

    With just a few changes you can use this chocolate chip cookie recipe to make other delicious cookies too. If you do not have brown sugar or chocolate chips, you can still make these cookies.  Instead of the chips, chop up your favorite candy bar or add M&Ms to this cookie recipe without brown sugar. A simple replacement is to use different kinds of chips like butterscotch or peanut butter.  Here are other Chocolate Chip Substitutes. 

    You can also make double chocolate cookies as well. For rich chocolate chocolate chip cookies, simply make this recipe as is but to the dry ingredients also add ¼ c of cocoa and reduce the all-purpose flour by that same ¼ cup.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar cookies ready to eat fanned on the marble counter and a hand holding one up close

    How to Store Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Chocolate chip cookies can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

    Freezing Cookie Dough

    To bake later, you can freeze this chocolate chip cookie dough. It freezes well and bakes up perfectly later. It will last for up to 2 months in the freezer if stored in an air-tight ziplock bag properly. Thaw the frozen dough in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar ready to eat overhead a plate stacked with cookies and 3 fanned to the side

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar PIN a wood slab topped with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar PINREDO overhead image of a white plate piled up with cookies and a glass of milk to the side

    Product Recommendations for this Recipe:

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! 

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar featured overhead of a plate of cookies and a glass of milk

    Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar

    Angela
    Chocolate chip cookies are easy to make without brown sugar. Using white sugar only in this recipe makes a wonderful cookie that is slightly crisp but soft and chewy even without the brown sugar.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 5 dozen

    Equipment

    • cookie baking pans
    • cooling rack
    • hand mixer

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoon cornstarch
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks) softened/room temperature
    • 1 ½ cup granulated white sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 eggs room temperature
    • 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

    Instructions
     

    • Bring butter & eggs to room temperature before mixing the dough.
    • In a small mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, salt, & cornstarch.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients - softened butter, sugar, and vanilla. Using a hand mixer, mix on medium speed to cream the ingredients together until well combined.
    • Add the eggs one at a time and mix at low to medium speed. Once both eggs are combined with the wet ingredients, the dry ingredients are ready to be added.
    • Add ½ of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With the hand mixer on low to medium, mix to bring the dry and wet ingredients together. Add the other half slowly with the mixer on low until all the dry ingredients are added. Then mix on medium speed to combine completely, scrape edges with a rubber spatula as need to incorporate all ingredients together.
    • Once the dough is ready, pour in the chocolate chips. Fold or stir them gently into the cookie dough to evenly distribute.
    • Chill the dough in the refrigerator for an hour. This will allow the cookies to bake slowly and not spread. This step is what gives the soft & chewy thick cookies even without the brown sugar. If you want them to be thin and crispier, you can skip this step.
    • Preheat the oven to 350°
    • Prepare a cookie sheet with a Silpat mat or spray/grease. Using hands or a cookie scoop, drop tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough on the baking sheet. A dozen at a time will fit as you keep them evenly spaced so they can bake up evenly.
    • Bake 10-12 minutes on the middle rack of the oven.
    • Using a spatula, carefully remove hot cookies from the baking sheet and place them on a cooling rack.
    • Continue shaping, baking, and cooling each dozen. This will make about 4-5 dozen cookies, depending on the size of the cookies you are rolling into dough balls.
    • Enjoy cookies slightly warm or cool.
      Chocolate chip cookies can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
      The dough can be frozen to bake later. It will last for up to 2 months in the freezer if stored in an air-tight ziplock bag properly.

    Notes

    This is the nutritional information for making 5 dozen cookies from the dough. 
    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 60
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 92
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 4.7g 6%
    Saturated Fat 2.4g 12%
    Cholesterol 14mg 5%
    Sodium 103mg 4%
    Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
    Dietary Fiber 0.3g 1%
    Total Sugars 7.2g  
    Protein 0.9g  
    Vitamin D 3mcg 13%
    Calcium 3mg 0%
    Iron 0mg 2%
    Potassium 13mg 0%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
    Keyword baked, baking, chocolate, christmas, comfort food, cookie, crowd-pleasing, dessert, Easter, easy, gifts, holiday, homemade, kid favorite, kid-friendly, lunchbox, party, snack, sweet, Valentines

    Did you make this The Short Order Cook Recipe?

    Tag @theshortordercookblog (Instagram & Facebook) or @shortorder_cook (Twitter). 

    I would love to see your latest creations and kitchen adventures.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mirlene says

      October 22, 2021 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      This is perfect! I have the right amount of ingredients to bake these chocolate chip cookies for my kids!

      Reply
    2. Amy says

      October 22, 2021 at 3:27 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! I'm actually not a big fan of the taste of brown sugar so this was perfect for me. The kids really enjoyed them so think I'll have to make another batch soon!

      Reply
    3. Anjali says

      October 22, 2021 at 3:43 pm

      5 stars
      My kids and I made these cookies today and they turned out great! They were chewy, soft and perfectly sweet!

      Reply
    4. Andrea says

      October 22, 2021 at 4:52 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, these cookies bring back some childhood memories. Would make cookies like these with my aunt. They are really good.

      Reply
    5. Suzanne says

      January 06, 2022 at 9:50 pm

      5 stars
      This saved the day. We are all home due to covid exposure & wanted cookies. No one can go to the store to get brown sugar & this is how we got to this. And now we don’t care, best chocolate chip cookies with or without brown sugar. Yes

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 07, 2022 at 8:26 am

        Oh no - I hope you all stay healthy and test negative. I am happy that the cookies helped though.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat and explore all things food. I have been cooking since I could pull up a stool to finally reach the counter. I still rely on my trusty stool every day. I am a former personal chef turned blogger that enjoys cooking with and for my family, traveling to try new cuisine, and constantly learning about food, drink, & how it touches all our lives.

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