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Crave-Worthy Coconut Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Game-Changer!

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Do we need another chocolate chip cookie recipe? Maybe not. (For reference, this is my favorite CLASSIC chocolate chip cookie recipe.)

Made with both coconut sugar and chocolate chips sweetened with coconut sugar, these coconut sugar chocolate chip cookies satisfy that chocolate chip cookie craving with a new take on the classic.

Granulated sugar, brown sugar, sparkling sugar, muscovado sugar – I love them all. Itll come as no surprise that I love the taste of coconut sugar and recipes made using it. Lately, Ive also been obsessed with sweet treats made with dates and date syrup. See vanilla sunflower-chia butter and coconut-sunflower energy balls.

Playing around with different sugars is fun – and might offer some health benefits, too. Im not a doctor, nor do I play one on the internets. (Is it just me or are a lot of people playing doctor on the internets these days? I might consider it if I can choose the color of my lab coat.)

Both of the sugars – coconut and date – used here have lower glycemic indexes than granulated sugar and offer up vitamins and minerals like potassium, iron, zinc, and magnesium. Here are a couple of articles if you want to do a deep dive on coconut sugar and date syrup.

The dark chocolate chips made with coconut sugar are from Guittard. They caught my eye at the grocery store a few months ago, and Ive been enjoying them ever since. Mr. E and I often toss some with a handful of pecans for a sweet snack/dessert. The chips are thin but dark and flavorful. I love them in these cookies! Because theyre thin, you can really pack a lot into each cookie. Yay!

Did you know that coconut sugar doesnt taste like coconuts?!? Crazy, right? Coconut sugar is made from the sap of the coconut palm tree – not the coconuts. Youll sometimes see it labeled as “coconut palm sugar.”

The sugar looks like brown sugar but has a drier and coarser texture. I learned from Shauna Severs Real Sweet book that coconut sugar really needs to be used in recipes with lots of moisture. This is where dates and date syrup come into play in this recipe.

Hey there, baking buddies! If y’all are on the hunt for a cookie recipe that’s a lil’ different but still hits all them comfort food feels, you’ve landed in the right spot. We’re diving deep into the world of coconut sugar chocolate chip cookies today, and lemme tell ya, these bad boys are gonna steal your heart (and your taste buds). I’ve been messin’ around in the kitchen with these for a while now, and I’m pumped to share why they’re such a big deal, how to whip ‘em up, and all the tricks to make ‘em perfect. So, grab a cup of coffee—or heck, a glass of milk—and let’s get into this tasty magic!

Why Coconut Sugar Makes These Cookies Pop

First off, let’s chat about what makes these cookies stand out from your grandma’s classic recipe Coconut sugar ain’t your regular white stuff. It’s this unrefined sweetener that comes from coconut palm sap, boiled down ‘til it’s all crystal-like The vibe? It’s got this warm, caramel-y flavor that just hugs your soul. Unlike regular sugar, it don’t taste like coconut at all—surprise, right? It’s just pure, cozy sweetness with a tiny health bonus since it’s less processed.

When you bake chocolate chip cookies with coconut sugar they get this rich, almost toffee-like depth. It’s like sneakin’ a fancy caramel note into every bite without even tryin’. Plus, some folks say it don’t spike your blood sugar as hard as the white stuff—though let’s be real, we’re eatin’ cookies here, not kale. I love using it ‘cause it feels a bit more wholesome, and my kiddos seem to handle it better than regular brown sugar. So, if you’re curious about switchin’ things up, this is your sign to give it a whirl.

The Ultimate Coconut Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Alright, let’s get down to business. I’ve got a recipe that’s super simple, uses stuff you prob’ly got in your pantry (or can grab easy), and turns out amazing every dang time. No need for fancy gear or hours of chillin’ dough—unless you wanna, of course. Here’s the breakdown for ya:

Ingredient Amount Notes
Unsalted butter 1 cup Softened, or use salted and cut salt below.
Coconut sugar 2 cups The star of the show, for that caramel kick.
Large eggs 2 Room temp works best.
Vanilla extract 1 tablespoon Don’t skimp, it’s the flavor booster.
All-purpose flour 2 ¾ cups Or try fresh-ground wheat if you’re fancy.
Salt 1 teaspoon Halve to ½ tsp if using salted butter.
Baking soda 1 teaspoon For that nice puff.
Baking powder 1 teaspoon Extra lift, baby.
Chocolate chips 1 cup Semi-sweet is classic, but mix it up!

How to Make ‘Em

  • Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a couple baking sheets with parchment paper so nothin’ sticks.
  • Step 2: In a big ol’ bowl, cream that butter and coconut sugar together ‘til it’s pale and fluffy. I use a hand mixer, but a good spoon and some elbow grease works too.
  • Step 3: Add in them eggs and vanilla, and beat it real good ‘til it’s all smooth.
  • Step 4: Mix your dry stuff—flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder—in another bowl. Or heck, just dump ‘em in if you’re feelin’ lazy, I do that sometimes and it’s fine.
  • Step 5: Stir the dry into the wet ‘til it’s just combined. Don’t overmix, or you’ll get tough cookies, and ain’t nobody want that.
  • Step 6: Fold in them chocolate chips with a wooden spoon. If you’re feelin’ extra, toss in a few more for good looks on top.
  • Step 7: Scoop out the dough with a cookie scoop—1.5 or 2 tablespoons size is perf—and plop ‘em on the baking sheet. Leave space, ‘cause these babies spread.
  • Step 8: Bake for ‘bout 12 minutes, flippin’ the pans halfway if your oven’s uneven like mine. Look for ‘em to puff up then fall a bit, with golden edges.
  • Step 9: Let ‘em chill on the sheet for 10 minutes before movin’ to a rack to cool all the way. Repeat with the rest of the dough.

This makes ‘bout 3 dozen cookies, dependin’ on how big you scoop ‘em. They’re soft and chewy if you underbake just a tad, or crispy if you let ‘em go a minute longer. Your call, fam!

Tips to Nail These Cookies Every Time

Now that you’ve got the basic recipe, let’s talk some pro tips to make sure these coconut sugar chocolate chip cookies come out lookin’ like they’re straight from a bakery. I’ve flubbed enough batches to know what works and what don’t, so here’s the good stuff:

  • Butter Softness is Key: Make sure your butter is soft, not melted or rock-hard. It should squish easy when you poke it. If it ain’t creamin’ with the sugar right, you’re in for a bumpy ride.
  • Don’t Crowd the Pan: These cookies spread like gossip in a small town. Give ‘em room—6 or 8 per sheet max—so they don’t smush together.
  • Extra Chips on Top: Wanna impress? Press a few extra chocolate chips on top of each dough ball before bakin’. Looks pro as heck.
  • Watch That Bake Time: Ovens are sneaky. Start checkin’ at 10 minutes. If the edges are golden but the middle’s still soft, they’re good to pull. They keep cookin’ on the sheet after.
  • Cookie Scoop for the Win: I swear by a cookie scoop. Yeah, it’s another thing to wash, but it makes ‘em all the same size, so they bake even. No weird tiny or giant cookies in the batch.

One time, I forgot to space ‘em out and ended up with one giant cookie mess. Tasted fine, but looked like a hot disaster. Learn from my oops, y’all!

Switchin’ It Up: Substitutions and Mix-Ins

One of the best things ‘bout this recipe is how flexible it is. Got dietary needs or just wanna play around? I’ve tried a bunch of tweaks, and here’s what works real nice with coconut sugar chocolate chip cookies:

  • No Coconut Sugar? No Prob! If you ain’t got coconut sugar on hand, mix half regular granulated sugar with half light brown sugar. It won’t be the exact same caramel vibe, but it’s close enough for jazz.
  • Gluten-Free Vibes: Swap the all-purpose flour for a mix of almond flour and a lil’ coconut flour. You’ll need to chill the dough for an hour or so ‘cause it gets real soft, but the result is chewy and delish. Adjust ratios if it feels too gritty—almond flour’s finer, so don’t use the meal kind.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter, and grab some dairy-free chocolate chips. Make sure the coconut oil ain’t liquidy—pop it in the fridge to firm up if it’s too melty. Tastes just as awesome, I promise.
  • Mix-In Madness: The caramel-y flavor of coconut sugar pairs so good with other stuff. Try these:
    • Half chocolate chips, half chopped pecans for a pecan pie kinda feel.
    • White chocolate chips for an extra sweet, creamy twist.
    • Raisins or dried cranberries if you’re feelin’ fruity. Keep it to ‘bout a cup total of mix-ins so the dough don’t get weird.

I’ve even tossed in mini marshmallows once with the chocolate chips, and my kids went nuts. It was like s’mores in cookie form. Get creative, fam!

A Lil’ Story from My Kitchen

Speakin’ of kids, lemme tell ya ‘bout the first time I made these cookies with mine. We got the dough all ready, and my youngest decided he’s gonna “help” by dumpin’ in extra chocolate chips. Like, half the bag extra. I’m over here tryin’ to scoop neat lil’ balls, and there’s chocolate everywhere—on the counter, on his face, prob’ly in his hair. Total chaos, but when them cookies came out the oven, all warm and gooey, we sat there munchin’ ‘em straight off the sheet. Didn’t even wait to cool ‘em proper. Best mess I ever made, hands down. Ain’t nothin’ like baking with your crew, even if it’s a disaster zone.

That caramel flavor from the coconut sugar? It had everyone thinkin’ I did somethin’ super fancy. They’re like, “Did you put toffee in here?” Nah, fam, it’s just the sugar doin’ its thing. Now, it’s our go-to for rainy days or when we just need a lil’ pick-me-up.

Storin’ and Freezin’ for Later Munchies

I dunno ‘bout you, but I like havin’ cookies on deck for whenever a craving hits. These coconut sugar chocolate chip cookies hold up real nice if you store ‘em right. Here’s how I keep ‘em fresh:

  • Room Temp Storage: Pop leftover cookies in an airtight container. They’ll last 3-4 days easy. If they start gettin’ hard, toss a slice of bread in there to keep ‘em soft. Old baker’s trick!
  • Freezin’ Baked Cookies: Once they’re totally cooled, stick ‘em in a freezer bag. They’re good for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp when you’re ready to nom. Still tastes like day one.
  • Freezin’ Dough: This is my fave hack. Scoop the dough into balls, lay ‘em on a baking sheet in the freezer ‘til solid—’bout 30 minutes to an hour—then toss ‘em in a bag. Freeze for 2 months max. When you wanna bake, just pop ‘em straight from frozen onto a sheet and add a minute or two to the bake time. Fresh cookies on demand, baby!

I’ve got a stash of dough balls in my freezer right now, ‘cause sometimes you just need a cookie stat. Ain’t no shame in bein’ prepared.

Why You’ll Be Obsessed with These Cookies

Lemme just say, there’s a reason I keep comin’ back to this recipe. The coconut sugar gives it a flavor you ain’t gettin’ from regular cookies—it’s deeper, warmer, like a lil’ hug in every bite. Plus, they’re stupid easy to make. No waitin’ around for dough to chill if you don’t wanna, just mix, scoop, bake, and eat. They’re perfect for sharin’ with friends, bringin’ to a potluck, or just hoardin’ for yourself. I ain’t judgin’.

The texture’s spot on too. You can tweak it to be chewy by pullin’ ‘em out early, or crispy if you let ‘em brown a bit more. And with all the ways to switch up mix-ins or make ‘em fit your diet, there’s somethin’ for everyone. My family can’t get enough, and I bet yours won’t neither.

Common Questions, Answered Quick

Got some Qs ‘bout makin’ these cookies? I’ve heard a few things pop up when I share this recipe with pals, so here’s the rundown on the usual suspects:

  • Why use unsalted butter? It’s all ‘bout controllin’ the salt level. Brands put different amounts in salted butter, so unsalted plus a measured teaspoon keeps it consistent. But if you only got salted, just cut the added salt in half. No biggie.
  • Do I gotta chill the dough? Nah, not for the basic recipe I gave ya. It spreads some, but I plan for that by spacing ‘em out. If you’re doin’ a gluten-free version with almond flour though, chill it at least an hour or it’ll be a runny mess.
  • Can I make ‘em vegan? Yup, try subbin’ the butter for coconut oil and usin’ a flax egg or mashed banana instead of regular eggs. I’ve seen it work great, adds a lil’ banana bread vibe even.
  • What if my cookies come out dry? Mighta baked ‘em too long or measured somethin’ funky. Add a splash of milk to the dough if it looks crumbly before bakin’. And don’t overdo the oven time—check early!

If somethin’ else is buggin’ ya, holler in the comments. I’m all ears.

Final Thoughts and an Invite to Bake

So, there ya have it—everything I know ‘bout makin’ killer coconut sugar chocolate chip cookies. From that sweet, caramel-y twist to all the ways you can tweak ‘em, I’m hopin’ you’re as stoked as I am to get bakin’. There’s just somethin’ special ‘bout pullin’ a tray of warm cookies outta the oven, smellin’ up the whole house, and sharin’ ‘em with folks you love. Or, ya know, eatin’ ‘em solo with no regrets.

I’d love to hear how yours turn out. Did ya stick to the recipe, or throw in some wild mix-ins? Any epic fails or wins in the kitchen? Drop a note below, ‘cause I’m all ‘bout swappin’ stories and ideas. And if you’re feelin’ extra nice, snap a pic and share it on socials—tag me so I can drool over your batch. Let’s keep this baking party goin’, alright? Catch ya soon with more kitchen adventures!

coconut sugar chocolate chip cookies

Sugar in typical chocolate chip cookies

Your regular chocolate chip cookie recipe will usually have a 50:50 mix of granulated sugar and brown sugar. I remember reading years ago that the “secret” to Mrs. Fields cookies is dark brown sugar. Im not sure I buy it.

For this recipe, I swapped the brown sugar for coconut sugar. In place of the white sugar, I did a few things. I kept 1/4 cup granulated sugar, used 1/4 cup date syrup, and 4 chopped dates. The dates add the aforementioned moisture and sweetness.

How do coconut sugar chocolate chip cookies compare to regular chocolate chip cookies?

When the cookies are warm from the oven or eaten on the day theyre made, they taste very similar to regular ol chocolate chip cookies. I dare say, no one would guess that theyre made with any unusual ingredients. The texture is on the soft side, and theyre leaning towards puffy rather than flat.

After a night in the cookie jar, the dates really come into play. The cookies get softer and have more of a cakey texture. The flavor of the coconut sugar and dates is slightly more pronounced as well. I can taste those dark fruit flavors from the dates and the toastiness of the coconut sugar.

Big Tree Farms Chocolate Chip Cookies made with Golden Coconut Sugar

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