20 Minute Chocolate Chipless Cookies Recipe
If you are craving a quick, delightful treat that bursts with buttery, caramelized sweetness, these 20 Minute Chocolate Chipless Cookies will become your new favorite. Perfectly golden and soft-hearted, these cookies skip the usual chocolate chips yet still deliver all the comforting cookie goodness you adore. With simple pantry staples and a speedy process, this recipe lets you enjoy homemade cookies without the fuss, proving that sometimes the simplest ingredients make the most memorable flavors.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a handful of pantry essentials, this recipe is refreshingly straightforward yet thoughtfully balanced to create a cookie that’s tender, flavorful, and just the right amount of sweet. Each ingredient plays a key role, from the richness of melted butter to the subtle rise from baking soda and powder.
- ½ cup butter (melted): Provides a rich, creamy base that keeps the cookies soft and flavorful.
- ⅔ cup brown sugar (packed): Adds deep, caramel notes and moisture for tender cookies.
- 2 tbsp white sugar: Balances the sweetness with a bit of crunch and structure.
- 2 egg yolks (whites discarded): Enriches the dough, making it tender and slightly chewy.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the overall aroma and adds natural sweetness complexity.
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour: The main structure, giving your cookies their perfect shape.
- ¼ tsp baking powder: Helps the cookies rise gently and stay soft.
- ½ tsp baking soda: Promotes browning and a slightly crisp edge.
- ¼ tsp kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and elevates all flavors.
How to Make 20 Minute Chocolate Chipless Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first, set your oven to 350°F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. This simple prep step makes cleanup a breeze and ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking.
Step 2: Melt the Butter
In a microwave-safe bowl, gently melt the butter until just liquid. This will blend beautifully with the sugars and create that luscious, smooth cookie dough you’re aiming for.
Step 3: Mix Sugars with Butter
Stir in both the brown sugar and white sugar until the mixture is totally smooth. This combination is key to achieving a golden, caramelized flavor and a tender crumb.
Step 4: Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla
Whisk in the egg yolks and vanilla extract to the buttery, sugary mix. The egg yolks add richness, while the vanilla gives your cookies a familiar warm aroma.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
Incorporate the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt into the mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix to keep your cookies soft and tender.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Use a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop or two tablespoons to portion your dough balls evenly on the parchment-lined sheets, spacing each about 1.5 inches apart. Pop them into the oven for 12 to 13 minutes until the bottoms turn beautifully golden brown.
Step 7: Shape Your Cookies
Right out of the oven, place a cookie cutter or a bowl larger than your cookie around each one and swirl your hand quickly in circles to gently shape the cookies into perfect rounds—this insider trick makes a charming presentation.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool for about 3 minutes on the baking sheet so they firm up slightly, then transfer them to a wire rack so they cool completely without getting soggy on the bottom.
How to Serve 20 Minute Chocolate Chipless Cookies

Garnishes
Add a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top for a beautiful contrast. For a cozy touch, drizzle warm caramel or honey over the cookies right before serving to elevate their natural sweetness.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of tea or coffee. For a decadent experience, serve alongside whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert that feels indulgent yet simple.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack a few cookies tied with a rustic ribbon as charming gifts, or serve them on a decorative platter with fresh fruit for a lovely afternoon treat. You can even sandwich some whipped cream or fruit jam between two cookies for an irresistible cookie sandwich that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your 20 Minute Chocolate Chipless Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their soft texture.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze the dough balls on a tray first, then transfer them to a resealable freezer bag. Or freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months, allowing you a quick homemade treat anytime you like.
Reheating
Warm leftover cookies slightly in a 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes or in the microwave for about 15 seconds. This will refresh their softness and amplify that melted-butter taste you love.
FAQs
Can I use whole eggs instead of just yolks?
While the recipe calls specifically for egg yolks to achieve the best tender, rich texture, you can use whole eggs but expect a slightly different consistency and less chewiness.
Why are there no chocolate chips in these cookies?
These cookies celebrate the simple, rich flavors of browned butter and caramelized sugar, proving that you don’t need chocolate chips to make an irresistibly delicious cookie.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum for best results. The texture might vary slightly but will still be delightful.
Is it okay to skip the step of shaping the cookies after baking?
You can skip the shaping if you prefer a more rustic look, but shaping right after baking gives your cookies an attractive uniform roundness that’s fun and impressive.
How can I make these cookies crispier?
To get a crispier bite, bake the cookies an extra minute or two, but keep a close eye so they don’t overbrown. Reducing the brown sugar slightly can also help crisp them up.
Final Thoughts
These 20 Minute Chocolate Chipless Cookies truly prove that you don’t need fancy ingredients or long baking processes to create an absolutely scrumptious treat. Whip them up anytime you want a quick bite of cookie magic that’s unexpectedly satisfying. I encourage you to give them a try—you might just find your new go-to cookie recipe that everyone asks for again and again.
Print
20 Minute Chocolate Chipless Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These 20 Minute Chocolate Chipless Cookies are a quick and delightful treat perfect for when you crave a buttery, sweet cookie without the traditional chocolate chips. Made with brown and white sugars, rich egg yolks, and a combination of baking powder and baking soda for lightness, these cookies bake up golden and soft with a subtle vanilla flavor, ideal for any time of day.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 2 egg yolks (whites discarded)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Sugars
- ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp white sugar
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Melt Butter: In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, melt the ½ cup of butter until fully liquified but not boiling, allowing for smooth mixing.
- Combine Sugars and Butter: Add ⅔ cup packed brown sugar and 2 tablespoons white sugar to the melted butter, stirring until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Incorporate the 2 egg yolks and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the sugar-butter mixture, mixing thoroughly to blend the flavors evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Add 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt to the wet ingredients. Stir until a cohesive dough forms.
- Scoop Dough: Use a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop or two tablespoons to form dough balls. Place them spaced about 1.5 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 12 to 13 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown and the cookies are set but still soft.
- Shape Cookies: Immediately after baking, use a cookie cutter or bowl slightly larger than the cookie to round their edges. Move your hand quickly in a circular motion to perfect the shape before they cool.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring optimal texture.
Notes
- Discard the egg whites or save them for another recipe, as only yolks are used here for richer texture.
- For even baking, make sure cookies are evenly spaced on the baking sheets.
- Rounding cookies immediately after baking gives them a professional, uniform appearance.
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- These cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: chocolate chipless cookies, quick cookies, easy dessert, buttery cookies, vanilla cookies, no chocolate chips