Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies
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These brown sugar chocolate chip cookies are super easy to make, come together quickly, and result in thick, soft chocolate chip cookies with crispy edges. This chocolate chip cookies recipe is going to become a family favorite! Made with all brown sugar!
What is it about a homemade chocolate chip cookie? Warm, gooey, thick, chewy – can’t resist. The aroma in your kitchen when they are baking.
I seriously have no willpower around a great soft chocolate chip cookie. Like maybe these cheesecake stuffed chocolate chip cookies? Or maybe a big warm pizookie (aka skillet cookie) topped with ice cream.
And these brown sugar chocolate chip cookies are the BEST chocolate chip cookie recipe. Find the fat pants. Stock up on milk. Please don’t hate me.
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White Sugar Vs. Brown Sugar
This recipe calls for all brown sugar in the cookie, and no granulated sugar. This makes for a chocolate chip cookie that is very chewy, and does spread less than if you were to use some granulated sugar. Over the years I have received many comments from readers having difficulty with their cookies coming out perfectly. They were either too dry or cakey and not soft and chewy like we wanted.
So after many rounds of testing, I have since updated this recipe and increased the amount of brown sugar (from 1 1/2 cups to 2 cups). More brown sugar provided more moisture to these cookies. I think this new and improved version will be a big hit in your kitchen and make for some foolproof chocolate chip cookies made with all brown sugar!
Ingredients needed:
- All purpose flour – I have made cookie recipes that have called for different types of flour, but I love a cookie recipe that calls for simplicity of all purpose flour. We all have this on hand, which means we can make these anytime we want.
- Baking Powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter – it’s important to use unsalted butter because you can control the amount of salt in your recipe this way. But yes salted but can work just reduce the added salt. The butter needs to be softened to room temperature, which mean you can slightly indent your thumb in the butter but shouldn’t easily smoosh all the way through. If you forget to take your butter out in time, cut the butter into small chunks and leave out at room temperature.
- Light brown sugar – If you don’t have any make my homemade brown sugar recipe. For a chewier cookie, use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar.
- Eggs – You will need 2 room temperature large eggs. I always place mine in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes to bring them to room temperature quickly.
- Vanilla extract
- Chocolate chips – I have used semi-sweet chips, but milk chocolate as well. You can also use a combination of regular chips, mini chocolate chips, discs, chunks, and bars chopped up, which is what I love to do. I like using a combination so that I get chocolate of every shape and size in every single bite. Basically pure heaven.
How To Make These Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Measure Your Dry Ingredients
Pre-heat oven to 350oF (180oC). I updated this recipe to bake at 350oF instead of 375oF and found the cookies had better spread, flavor and texture. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper (or silicone baking mat).
For best results I recommend using a kitchen scale. But if you are using measuring cups than you want to pay attention to how you measure. Too much flour can result in a dense cookie. Don’t just scoop the flour directly into your measuring cup. This can result in a major over measurement! After you have spooned the flour in, then use a knife to level off the flour. Don’t tap the sides of the measuring cup, or pack your flour down. Both can also result in too much flour. You can read a full tutorial on how to measure flour here. You can read more about Which Flour Is Best For Cookies?
You want to whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Brown Sugar
In a large bowl with a mixer (you can use a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment) cream your butter and sugar together for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Proper creaming with properly softened butter is what helps to aerate the mixture.
The butter needs to be softened to room temperature, which mean you can slightly indent your thumb in the butter but shouldn’t easily smoosh all the way through. If you forget to take your butter out in time, cut the butter into small chunks and leave out at room temperature. It will soften much faster this way. When you cream the butter and sugars together it’s also important to let this happen for 2-3 minutes to allow enough air into the batter and helps leavens the cookies. For 3 quick ways to soften your butter, you can read this post.
The sugar basically punches holes into the butter creating air pockets, which then will fill with the gasses created with the leavening agents which can help create some lift in the cookies.
Step 3: Add Your Eggs
Once the mixture has properly creamed together, then add in your room temperature eggs, and vanilla extract. Make sure they are thoroughly mixed in. You want to make sure your eggs are room temperature so they don’t seize up the butter mixture.
Pro tip: You can place the eggs in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes before using them to bring them to room temperature quickly.
Step 4: Add Your Dry Ingredients
Now add your dry ingredients. You want to make sure to not overmix once you’ve added the flour mixture. I like to stop the mixer right before it’s all mixed in, and then finish mixing with a spatula.
This will be a thick dough, but don’t worry it’s supposed to be!
Note: I have heard from a few readers that their dough was too thick (it’s supposed to be!) and tried to adjust the cookie dough after everything is mixed together. Please trust the process and know you have done it correctly, do not try to adjust the consistency at this point with extra ingredients.
Step 5: Add Your Chocolate Chips
Again, I love a combo. Miniature chocolate chips. Regular semi-sweet chocolate chips. And chocolate chunks. The difference in sizes results in chocolate in every bite.
Step 6: Scoop The Cookies
You can then stir in the chocolate chips at this point. Again just stir enough to mix them in and then stop mixing.
Next you need to scoop the cookies. You can make them regular sized using a medium cookie scoop (cookie scoop #40) that holds about 2 Tablespoons. A cookie scoop results in even-size balls of dough that will cook evenly. Even size = even baking.
I also like to chill the cookie dough for best texture. You can bake them right away but for best results I love to chill for 2 hours, or ideally overnight. If chilling, just scoop and place on a cookie sheet then wrap with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
When ready to bake, you want to make sure your oven is preheated to 350oF and positioned a rack in the center of the oven.
Place the cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart prepared cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown but still soft, 10-12 minutes. The top of the cookies should still look soft and puffy, but not wet or raw. The edges will be crispy and golden brown. The cookies will continue to bake when you take them out of the oven so it’s important to not overbake and take them out when the middles look dry but not quite done.
Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day.
Recipe Variations
Storage Instructions
Keep covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. Although most likely will stay fresh if covered or stored in a container.
You can also freeze any leftover cookies. To freeze unbaked: Scoop the cookies onto a cookie sheet, and freeze solid. Then place into a sealable plastic bag or airtight container. You can bake frozen, without thawing, but add on a few extra minutes of baking time.
To freeze baked: Allow the cookies to cool completely. Then when ready to eat, allow to thaw. I like to pop them into the microwave for about 20 seconds to bring them back to ooey gooey life.
Click here to learn how to freeze your cookie dough.
Recipe FAQs
Cookie spreading is a bummer. There 8 reasons that I can think of why your cookies may have spread. If your cookies do spread in the oven, you can try this little trick I picked up from Sally’s Baking Addiction, which is to take them out of the oven and take a spoon and press the edges of the cookie inward. You can also try and chill your cookie dough to help keep the cookies from spreading so much.
You may have used too much flour. Use a kitchen scale for best accuracy. And do NOT scoop directly into the measuring cup but spoon it in to the cup and level it off.
Or this could be because you overbaked the cookies. If the dough is too warm (remember that chilling time!) then it could cause them too spread too much resulting in a cookie that gets too thin and gets too crispy and hard.
Your oven temperature may also be too high. I recommend using an oven thermometer to ensure your oven is running at the correct temperature. Click here to read more about using your oven properly when baking.
Bake Up My Most Popular Cookie Recipes!
If you love cookies as much as I do then bake up some of my more popular cookie recipes from the blog, especially when it’s Christmas time!
Like my peanut butter chocolate kiss cookies with a Hershey kiss in the center, or my grandmother’s cookie recipe for Russian Tea Cakes, or these old fashioned peanut butter cookies with criss cross pattern.
For all my Christmas cookie recipes, check out my 25+ Christmas cookie recipes!
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Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups (360 g) all purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks, 227 g) unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups (414 g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Position a rack in the center of the oven. Pre-heat oven to 350oF (180℃). Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper (or silicone baking mat).
- Start by measuring your flour (I recommend using a kitchen scale). But if measuring by volume, then first stir the flour in the bag/container as flour tends to settle. Then spoon the flour into your measuring cup, and then level it off at the top. Do not pack it down into the cup, or tap the sides as more flour will pack into the cup. Add the flour to your mixing bowl. Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside. 3 cups (360 g) all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt
- Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar together until very light, about 2-3 minutes. 1 cup (2 sticks, 227 g) unsalted butter 2 cups (414 g) packed light brown sugar
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. This will be a thick dough but it's supposed to be, don't worry! Add chocolate and stir in, on low speed, just until combined. You can chill the cookie dough at this point (at least 2 hours, ideally overnight) for cookies that spread less and bake up thicker and chewier. 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Scoop cookie dough, using a medium cookie scoop (size #40) that holds 2 tablespoons, and place on prepared cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown but still soft, 10-12 minutes. The top of the cookies should be puffy but set, and edges golden brown. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day.
Notes
- Recipe Updated 09/18/2022: Many readers were stating they were having issues with their cookies being dry, or cakey. The recipe has since been updated to increase the amount of brown sugar from 1 1/2 cups to 2 cups to provide more moisture. I’ve also changed the baking time to 350oF from 375oF.
- Store cookies at room temperature. Cookies will last 2-3 days at room temperature.
- To freeze unbaked: Scoop the cookies onto a cookie sheet, and freeze solid. Then place into a sealable plastic bag. You can bake frozen, without thawing, but add on a few extra minutes of baking time.
- To freeze baked: Allow the cookies to cool completely. Then when ready to eat, allow to thaw. I like to pop them into the microwave for about 20 seconds to bring them back to ooey gooey life.
- Measure your flours correctly. After you have spooned the flour in, then use a knife to level off the flour. Don’t tap the sides of the measuring cup, or pack your flour down.
- Soften your butter correctly. The butter needs to be softened to room temperature, which mean you can slightly indent your thumb in the butter but shouldn’t easily smoosh all the way through.
- Cream properly. When you cream the butter and sugars together it’s also important to let this happen for 2-3 minutes, on medium speed, to allow enough air into the batter and helps leavens the cookies.
I wanted to leave a comment after seeing the mixed reviews! I followed your recipe exactly (I usually wing it when it comes to chocolate chip cookies) and these turned out amazing! The perfect texture the rich taste from the brown sugar these are my new favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe! Thankyou🖤
Your comment just made me smile! Thank you for giving it a try exactly as written and for sharing your wonderful feedback. I’m so glad they were a hit! 🖤
Delicious! I was out of white suger so this was perfect. I used one cup of light and one cup of brown suger. Also used one tsp vanilla and one tsp almond extract . Added toffee bits along with the chocolate chips because I had some to use up. I did not do a great job of creaming the sugar and butter due to not having an electric mixer. Baked about 18 cookies and froze the rest for another day. I will definitely keep this recipe for many futuer cookie batches. Thank you!
Wow, thank you so much for this wonderful feedback! I love all your creative tweaks—the almond extract and toffee bits sound like an incredible combination. So happy to hear they were a hit and that you’ll be making them again. Happy baking!
What do you think about adding 1 or 2 tbs. of Grandma’s Unsulphured Molasses to the recipe for an even richer flavor.?
Great idea! A tablespoon or two of molasses would definitely add richer flavor. Just keep in mind it might make the cookies a bit softer and chewier. Let me know if you try it!
Can I use coconut sugar?
I haven’t tried using coconut sugar myself, but I think it should work well. Just keep in mind that the cookies might turn out a bit drier and may not have the same caramel flavor as when using brown sugar. Overall, it should be fine!
Yummy!😋
Omg my family and I loved these cookies! I got bored one day and needed a recipe and I’m very glad I came across this one. I used the 10 minutes only and they turned out great! Thank you so much for your recipe.
Thank you, Leila! I’m thrilled to hear that you and your family loved the cookies. It’s great to know that the 10-minute baking time worked perfectly for you. Thanks for trying out the recipe!😊
These were just as delicious as promised. Instead of brown sugar I used something called “caramelo” sugar in Costa Rica. Comparable to my regular chocolate chip cookies. 🍪
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the cookies and that the “caramelo” sugar worked well. Happy baking!
I have no idea what I did wrong! I followed the recipe exactly – even scooping the flour with a spoon which I never do! They were flatter than pancakes. Any ideas?
It sounds like the butter might have been too soft. Try chilling the cookie dough for at least an hour, or even overnight, to prevent spreading. You can also check out my post on “Why Are My Cookies Flat?” for more tips, I have linked it below.
https://www.bostongirlbakes.com/8-reasons-your-cookies-spread-too-much/
Hi I was just wondering if we could use oil instead of butter? Would it still,work out OK?
Unfortunately, oil isn’t a suitable substitute for butter in this recipe because it’s liquid. Butter is softened to help create the right consistency and flavor.
Hey I’m a young baker and I was wondering how far apart you should put the cookies?
Hi Jordan! I always space my
Cookies about 2 inches apart 🙂
I made these along with my Christmas cookies this past Christmas. They are without a doubt the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had or made! I’ve been craving them lately, so I mixed up a batch this morning. First load is in the oven right now!
Thank you for sharing your recipe!
aw thank you so much Evelyn!! This means so much! I’m so glad you loved these so much 🙂
Deliciously chewy cookie! Just what I was looking for! I don’t care for cakey cookies , so this was the cookie for me. Big hit at my house. I baked one tray and froze the rest of the dough.
aw that’s wonderful Karen! I’m so glad you loved these as much as I did! And so smart to freeze the extra 🙂
I’m making them again. 😆
wonderful to hear!!! 🙂
Every time I have a chocolate chip cookie, I wish they were “more”. More brown sugar and less bland.
Hope this is it!
All mixed up and in the refrigerator!
Made some modifications and doubled it up!
Your instructions are excellent!
Aw you’re so welcome 🙂 I hope you love them Geriann!!
I will admit that I have not been measuring and weighing. I’ve done a few little tweaks… I melt the butter and then let it sit in there with the brown sugar to hopefully have it dissolve a bit. I have doubled the recipe so half of the recipe is light brown sugar and half of it is dark brown sugar. I add semi sweet, milk and butter scotch morsels. But overall, it’s your recipe. And I love it.
I will say though, with a 1 inch scoop, and a double recipe I’m only getting about five dozen cookies. I have found with a smaller scoop, I get more cookies, but you have to watch your time Or you end up with hard crunchy cookies after they cool.
Hi Geriann, I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the recipe and had fun tweaking to your liking! Yes it’s important to not overbake and cool on a wire rack so they don’t get too crunchy. Love the idea of adding both semi sweet and milk – will have to try 🙂
Been trying a bunch of chocolate chip cookie recipes to get one that had the same soft and chewy texture and taste I remembered my mother making and these are what I think they were. Love all your cookies they are easy to make and come out great. I got your cook book from Amazon, before I even new you had this site. Carrot cake and oatmeal Cookies are the best thing I ate in years, topped with cream cheese frosting and chilled in refrigerator Thank you for all the great recipes keep it up and I will keep enjoying them..
aw thank you Bill! This means so much to hear. I’m so glad you loved all the recipes and especially these cookies. Your support means everything!
Hello Boston girl! Thank you for this recipe. I followed it exactly as it was written and have just pulled the first batch out from my oven and they smell and look terrific. I even set my timer for 10 minutes of cooling time. I’m not sure I can wait.
Oh that’s wonderful I’m so glad!!
I followed the recipe, exactly as written. I just pulled the first tray out of the oven and oh my goodness they smell and look wonderful! I can’t wait for the 10 minutes of coooling to be over 😁 Thank you!
These are hands down the best cookies I’ve ever made! What I did differently: I used ducks eggs (duck eggs are a bit richer than chicken eggs), authentic Mexican vanilla extract (also more rich) and baked for just the 10 mins. I hope that helps someone make cookies as good as these!
Great recipe! Thanks so much for putting it out there!
aw thank you Jess! and quality vanilla definitely makes a difference. And that’s so cool you used duck eggs- I’ve never baked with those. Thank you for such kind words!
Very chewy, crispy on the edges! 10/10. The only thing is they do spread a lot, at least they did for me.. so beware!
Also, question. Are these 211Cals per cookie? Is the serving size 1 cookie?
Love the recipe
Thanks! Glad you loved them! And if the cookies are spreading too much try chilling the cookie dough for an hour up to overnight to help. I’ll double check but yes that calorie should be correct.
for me, they did not spread that much. I would recommend baking them for the recommended time, taking them out, pressing them down with the bottom of a glass, and putting them back in for 5 min if you want crispy cookies