Chocolate Chipless Cookies Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with the comforting, pure bliss of Chocolate Chipless Cookies. These cookies highlight everything you adore in a classic chocolate chip cookie—the soft, chewy center, the gently crisp edges, and that irresistible buttery flavor—without a single chocolate chip in sight. Instead, they let the richness of brown butter, brown sugar, and real vanilla shine through, delivering a cookie experience that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly unique.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about the lineup of ingredients you’ll use for these Chocolate Chipless Cookies. Each one plays a special role, from the nutty depth of browned butter to the softness achieved with cornstarch. When you use simple, high-quality ingredients, the natural flavors truly take center stage.
- Unsalted butter: Browning the butter brings a rich, toasty flavor that makes these cookies unforgettable.
- All-purpose flour: Your cookie’s backbone—gives structure and a chewy, satisfying bite.
- Cornstarch: A secret trick for ultra-soft, tender cookies every time.
- Baking soda: Provides just the right lift for a thick, chewy texture.
- Sea salt: Brightens flavors and brings balance, especially with the sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep, caramel-like dimension to the dough.
- Granulated sugar: Rounds out the sweetness and helps with spreading.
- Large egg (room temperature): Essential for binding and whole-egg richness.
- Large egg yolk (room temperature): Extra yolk lends creaminess and chew.
- Vanilla extract: Don’t skimp—real vanilla infuses the cookies with mouthwatering aroma.
How to Make Chocolate Chipless Cookies
Step 1: Brown the Butter
Start by placing the unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Melt it, stirring frequently, and watch as it turns a deeper gold and develops a nutty aroma. When you spot golden brown milk solids at the bottom and catch that toasty smell, remove from the heat. Browning the butter takes a few minutes, but it delivers a layer of flavor you simply can’t get any other way.
Step 2: Cool the Butter
Pour the browned butter into a heatproof bowl, making sure to scrape in all those flavorful browned bits. Let it cool to room temperature. Starting with cooled butter helps ensure the sugars cream properly, giving your chocolate chipless cookies their signature texture.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and sea salt. Taking this step ensures that the leavening and salt are evenly distributed, and the cornstarch will help keep those cookies luxuriously tender.
Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars
Add the cooled brown butter and both sugars to a mixing bowl. Beat them together on medium speed for about 4 to 5 minutes, until the mixture looks a bit like wet sand. This process makes the cookies extra chewy and ensures they’ll bake up beautifully.
Step 5: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla
Add your egg, extra yolk, and vanilla extract into the bowl. Continue blending for 2 to 3 more minutes, until the dough comes together and looks smooth and shiny. This creates that dreamy, creamy cookie dough base you’re after.
Step 6: Add the Dry Ingredients
Pour the whisked flour mixture into the wet ingredients and gently mix just until you see no more dry spots. Over-mixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as everything is integrated for the perfect chocolate chipless cookies crumb.
Step 7: Chill the Dough
Scoop the dough into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least an hour. But here’s a pro tip: for unbelievably developed flavor and depth, let the dough rest in the fridge for up to 72 hours! The waiting is the hardest part—but it’s worth it.
Step 8: Portion the Dough
When you’re ready to bake, scoop the dough into even balls and let them come to room temperature while the oven preheats. Allowing them to warm up slightly gives you a more even bake and those irresistible cookie cracks.
Step 9: Preheat the Oven
Heat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking and encourages even browning on the bottoms. Simple, but essential for baking success!
Step 10: Bake
Arrange the dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, watching for edges that are set and lightly golden while the centers remain just a touch soft.
Step 11: Cool and Finish with Sea Salt
Give the cookies 1 to 2 minutes on the baking sheet to finish setting. Then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. While they’re still warm, sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt on top for that gourmet finish—it makes these chocolate chipless cookies utterly irresistible.
How to Serve Chocolate Chipless Cookies
Garnishes
These cookies need very little to shine, but a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right when they come out of the oven can’t be beat. You might also dust them lightly with powdered sugar, or add a touch of cinnamon for an autumn twist.
Side Dishes
Classic cold milk is a natural companion for chocolate chipless cookies, but don’t stop there! Try serving them alongside coffee, hot tea, or even dunked into a chilled glass of oat milk. For a homemade dessert platter, add fresh berries and vanilla ice cream.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your chocolate chipless cookies into cookie sandwiches with a swipe of buttercream or ice cream in the middle. Stack them high and wrap in parchment and twine for a rustic bakery-style gift. You could even crumble them over yogurt or pudding for a cookie parfait treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, chocolate chipless cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Store with a slice of bread or a marshmallow to maintain softness—the bread’s moisture helps prevent the cookies from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to stock up, freeze the unbaked dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag once solid. They’ll keep for up to 3 months—just bake straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the bake time. Baked cookies can be frozen, too: wrap each one well, then stash in a container for easy treats on demand.
Reheating
Pop a cookie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore the just-baked softness. Or warm a whole batch in a 300°F oven for a few minutes—your kitchen will smell amazing, and the cookies will taste as if they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I add other mix-ins to these chocolate chipless cookies?
Absolutely! While these cookies are fantastic as-is, feel free to stir in chopped toasted nuts, white chocolate chunks, or even a swirl of peanut butter for a new twist.
Why chill the dough before baking?
Chilling allows the flour to hydrate and the flavors to meld. It also solidifies the butter, which results in thicker, chewier chocolate chipless cookies instead of flat ones.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Watch for edges that look set and golden, while the center may still appear soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, promising that perfectly chewy bite instead of a dry cookie.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. Double-check that your brand contains xanthan gum to ensure similar texture and structure.
What makes these cookies taste so different from regular sugar cookies?
These chocolate chipless cookies are all about brown butter, a generous mix of brown sugar, and a good dose of vanilla. The result is a gourmet, toasty, and complex flavor that elevates them way above a basic sugar cookie.
Final Thoughts
Every bite of these chocolate chipless cookies is pure nostalgia with a grown-up twist. If you’re searching for a cookie that lets buttery, golden, vanilla-rich flavors shine, this recipe will become your new baking go-to. Grab your mixing bowl—your cookie adventure awaits!
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Chocolate Chipless Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delectable Chocolate Chipless Cookies that are rich in flavor and texture, perfect for those who love the taste of cookies without the chocolate chips. These cookies are a delightful twist on the classic recipe, offering a buttery and slightly salty taste with a hint of sweetness.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 large egg yolk (room temperature)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Caramelize the Butter: Heat the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan until melted and caramelized. Allow to cool.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Mix flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Beat butter and sugars until combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate egg, yolk, and vanilla into the mixture.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour or longer.
- Form Dough Balls: Portion the dough into balls and let them rest.
- Preheat and Bake: Preheat the oven, place dough on baking sheets, and bake until golden.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack and sprinkle with sea salt.
Notes
- For best results, refrigerate the dough for 24 – 72 hours before baking.
- Top the cookies with flaky sea salt for a delicious contrast of flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Chocolate Chipless Cookies, Cookie Recipe, Homemade Cookies, Butter Cookies
