Chocolate Chip Cookies with Honey, No Sugar

These days I’m trying to cut back on our processed sugar consumption. Unfortunately, we are a household with a major sweet tooth. Our new household favorite? Chocolate chip cookies with honey.

The Story

One of my favorite things to look for at thrift stores is old recipe pamphlets. These were often put out for free by food companies or sometimes by area businesses going back well into the 1800s. I don’t have any that are quite that old, but one of my favorites is “Old Favorite Honey Recipes – Revised and Enlarged” by the American Honey Institute, copyright 1945. I got it for 50 cents at a thrift store.

This little book was written and published the same year WWII ended.

At this moment, Russia is a few weeks into its war on Ukraine. I’ve found myself full of feelings at this insanity. That such things still happen this day and age. Here I have the ease to sit and type comfortably in my home on my computer, meanwhile Ukranians are hiding out in subway tunnels with their families to just stay alive.

These days I have been finding a lot of solace in my nightly bee class lectures. Learning about the fascinating lives of bees and how I can someday be a steward of my own colonies.

I wonder if seventy-seven years ago the good people at the American Honey Institue were doing the same sort of thing.

Is Honey Healthier than Sugar?

This depends on how you look at it. In terms of calories, honey is actually more caloric than sugar. Source. Though because of its chemical makeup, it is sweeter, which may mean you need to use less of it when trying to sweeten things up.

The big health appeal for honey is that most every other sugar has gone through quite a bit of processing before you can use it. Even raw and organic sugars. Honey, however, can go through darn near no processing and be ready to eat.

The other great benefit of honey is that bees can be kept just about anywhere, so there are almost always a few local sources available. In terms of trying to eat a more local diet, honey is certainly a healthier choice.

Does it matter what kind of honey I use?

Nope! Raw honey or processed will both work fine. As to honey variety, I would probably avoid buckwheat as it has a pretty strong flavor. Almost molasses-like.

Make sure if you are buying honey from a store to check the ingredients. Sounds crazy, I know! Sometimes cheap honey is only partially honey and has other fillers and additives.

If you want to track down some local honey, check out the National Honey Council for more large scale producers. Or stop at your local farmer’s market or co-op/local foods store and see what they have available.

What is the texture of these cookies like?

These are definitely a puffier, cakier, cookie. The texture of the dough is heavenly. Silky and incredibly light. The cookies are thicker textured but not in a chewy way.

Supplies for Honey Chocolate Chip Cookies with No Sugar

• Cookie Sheet
• Parchment Paper (Optional)
• Whisk, Hand Mixer, or Stand Mixer
• 2 Mixing Bowls
• Sifter
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons

Ingredients for Honey Only Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1/2 Cup Butter at Room Temperature
• 1/2 Cup Honey
• 1 Small Egg
• 1 Cup Sifted Flour
• 1 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1/4 Tsp Salt
• 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips of Choice. We like dark around here.

How to make Chocolate Chip Cookies with Honey

Begin by creaming the honey with the butter until light and fluffy. Do this with a whisk, hand mixer, or stand mixer with the whisk attachment.

Add in one egg and beat together well.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together twice.

Add the flour mixture to the honey/butter, incorporating a little at a time.

Add the vanilla and chocolate chips, then stir to combine.

For best results, chill the dough for at least one hour but preferably 2-4 hours or as much as 24.

Line a baking sheet with parchment or grease it up with butter.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.

Best Way to Eat These Cookies

I’ll be honest in saying cakier cookies are not my favorite. I like a cookie that is chewy in the middle with a crisp crust.

However.

I have discovered something these cookies do amazingly that a chewy cookie won’t.

SOAK UP MILK.

All that puffy porous middle absorbs milk beautifully, resulting in an incredibly delicious bite of gooey milk and cookie goodness.

Seriously. Even if you aren’t a cookie dunker (I am not, too many crumbs) please try it. You won’t be sorry.

Looking for more sweet treats?

Try my Grandma’s Caramel Rolls, Verlette’s Banana Cream Pie, or just scroll through some other great options.

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