This cookie recipe combines two of my favorite things: ancient grains, and
chocolate chip cookies. Once you bake these Einkorn Chocolate Chip
Cookies you will know exactly what all the excitement for baking with einkorn
flour is about — the flour adds delicious nutty flavor to these cookies. For best
results, chill the cookie dough overnight, for 8-12 hours at least. Trust me, it’ll be
worth the wait — einkorn cookies are best if the flour is hydrated.
If you are wanting to try more einkorn recipes, how about this einkorn flour recipe collection? My specific favorites are these flaky einkorn biscuits? I also love this recipe for fluffy einkorn pancakes.
Maybe you are looking for other whole grain cookie recipes? If so, check out all the ideas I have for homemade cookie recipes.
Ingredients
- Einkorn flour- You can buy Einkorn flour. If you want to get a little more involved, I love to grind my own grains in my Nutrimill grain mill. The einkorn grains are purchased from a local Idaho farm.
- Baking soda- This is my favorite leavener, and I use it in almost all the cookies I make.
- Salt- it only takes a touch, but these cookies won't be the same without it.
- Butter- Make sure the butter is softened before you start making your cookies.
- Brown and granulated sugar- Both sugars make the best chocolate chip cookies. They add a chewy texture and flavor.
- Vanilla- Pure vanilla is the best choice here.
- Eggs- these add structure and flavoring to the cookies.
- Chocolate chips- dark chocolate chips are ALWAYS my go-to. If you like something a little milder, semi-sweet or milk is great too.
- Walnuts- These are optional, but they sure add something so good to these cookies!
How To Make
Start by mixing your flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Set it aside.
Next, cream your butter with the sugars for several minutes until it is light and fluffy. Make sure and scrape the bowl down every minute or so. This will ensure that all ingredients are well blended.
Add in the egg and vanilla. This time when you mix the dough, only mix it to combine. The dough can get overmixed pretty easily. Scrape down the bowl. Now add in the flour mixture. Make sure again, not to overmix.
Scrape one more time. Last are the chocolate chips and the walnuts. Mix only to combine.
From here, do not bake right away. I know you might be tempted, but don't do it. The flour needs time to hydrate. It is best chilled overnight, for 8-12 hours at least.
I like to make it one day and bake the next. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Shape your cookies and bake until the edges are just barely browned.
That is it! These Einkorn flour cookies are delicious hot, warm, cool, chilled, and even frozen. I have tried them every way you could imagine, and loved them all!
Notes
Make sure if you are buying flour instead of grinding that you loosen the flour with a fork. The flour will get compacted in shipping and storage. Loosening it up will get a more accurate measurement of what I measured with mine.
I promise you NEED to chill this dough for a substantial amount of time. Einkorn cookies are best if the flour is hydrated.
When I was testing this recipe, I tried baking right away. I also tried at 2,6, and 12 hours. By far, I liked the texture of the 12-hour one the best. With many grains, you can hydrate the flour quickly, einkorn seems to take more time.
2 things to note about baking with whole grains, do not overmix, and do not overbake. This will result in a tough and crispy cookie. Let me explain more...
Make sure once the eggs are added, you don't overmix. The protein in the eggs will cause the cookies to get tough if they are overmixed in any cookie, but even more so in whole grain cookies.
Also, when you are baking, don't overdo it. Unless you like crispy cookies, then go for it! Whole grain flour absorbs more moisture and this is noticeable in baked goods. I will always underbake just a TOUCH.
Does einkorn flour have less gluten?
It has the lowest glutenin out of all wheat. So, yes it does have less gluten. It is important to note that it is NOT GLUTEN-FREE. That is a common misconception that you should be aware of.
Can you freeze these cookies?
You sure can. The cookie dough can be frozen, or the cookies can be frozen after they are baked as well. I love this make this dough ahead of time, scoop out the cookie balls, and then freeze the balls. Then, when I am ready to bake, I thaw as many as we want to bake.
Soft & Chewy Einkorn Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 ¼ cup einkorn flour I freshly grind my flours, if you do not, make sure and loosen the flour with a fork. It will compact during shipping and storage. Then, spoon it into your measuring cup. This will keep the flour light.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup softened butter 2 sticks
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed you can also use light brown, I just love dark brown.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 eggs room temp
- 1 ½-2 cups chocolate chips I always prefer dark chocolate, but you can use whatever you like.
- 1 cup chopped walnuts these are optional, but add great flavor.
Instructions
- Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
- In your mixing bowl, cream the butter, granulated, and brown sugar until they are light and creamy. This will take about 2 minutes.
- Add in the eggs and vanilla. This time only mix to combine. You don't want to overmix once the eggs are added in. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and mix just barely again.
- Next are the dry ingredients. Add these in and mix, again, only mixing to combine.
- Last is the chocolate chips and walnuts if you are using them, again mix to combine.
- Now, you might be tempted to bake the cookies right now, but don't do it! Einkorn flour really seems to need overnight hydration. So, cover the cookies and let them chill in the fridge for at least 24 hours.
- The next day, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Scoop your cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment. You don't have to use parchment, but it makes cleanup so easy!
- Make sure and space the cookies out a bit as they will spread slightly. I bake 10 per sheet pan.
- Place them in the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes. The edges should be golden brown. Only the edges though. These cookies are easy to overbake, so keep an eye on them!
- Remove them from the oven. You can eat them when they are warm, cooled slightly, or even chilled. I promise they are good any way you eat them!
- Now, sit back and enjoy. You deserve it!
Kathy says
There are NO EGGS or vanilla in the ingredient list! If you are going to post a recipe, make sure it is complete
admin says
There are eggs and vanilla in the ingredient list?
Ann says
Can the butter be substituted with coconut oil or ghee?One of my kids is dairy intolerant,but she does ok with ghee.
Thank you.
Amy Sandidge says
Ann, I apologize but I don't have an answer for that as I have not tested the ghee or coconut oil with this recipe. If you do, I would love to hear how it turns out!
Debbie T. says
Hi. Can I substitute some of the all-purpose einkorn with whole grain einkorn (I'm trying to use it up). What other adjustments should I make? Thanks--can't wait to try these!
admin says
You sure can! They will have a lighter texture even. No adjustments will need to be made. Happy baking!
Natosha Allen says
These turned out too cake like :/
admin says
Did you chill for 8-12 hours? I have only had the cake-like texture when I bake right away. I also find this when I overmix the batter. After the eggs are added, only mix to incorporate. I hope that helps!
Debbie T. says
Hi again. I'm planning to make a double batch (some to give away) and wondered if it is possible to substitute some of the butter with store bought applesauce, or would the cookies suffer in their yumminess? Thanks!
Made them once and they were awesome! Thanks for sharing.
admin says
Hi Debbie! I am not sure on that as I have not tried it to verify. If you do try, please let me know!! I have substituted apple sauce in with baking many times, just not on this recipe. Happy baking!
Debbie T. says
Well, I didn't sub any applesauce this time but I did use 60% whole grain Einkorn flour and 40% All Purpose Einkorn. I chilled the dough about 28 hours and it was hard as a rock! As the dough warmed up I put the uncooked cookie balls in the fridge to keep them somewhat chilled but the cookies still turned out flat flat flat. 🙁
admin says
Really?? When I have time, I will remake and see if I can figure out what happened. I tested them 3 times before publishing post.
Debbie T. says
I searched and read this:
If your butter is too soft, one of the most likely reasons your cookies turn out.
That is probably what happened, because I made sure my cookie sheets were cooled off, and measured correctly with the right tools, etc. BUT my butter was VERY soft. And I may have creamed the butter and sugar a minute too long making the butter even warmer. 🙁 I'll try again in a bit!
admin says
Good to know! My is generally just barely softened. I am curious about this. If I wasn't headed out of town, I would be baking some today! Let me know what happens.
Rags says
These chocolate chip cookies are delicious!
This us the first time I have used einkorn flour and had no idea how these would taste. I followed your recipe almost to the letter. Baked them after 20 hours in the refrigerator. Too tempted to wait any longer. To be honest, I could not taste any difference between these cookies and ones made with regular flour. I like be able to bake with a lower gluten flour so I intend on making these again and again. So good!!!
Thank you for the recipe !!!
Amy Sandidge says
I am so glad to hear this!! Thank you so much for letting me know. We love these cookies.
Rags says
These chocolate chip cookies are delicious!
This is the first time I have used einkorn flour and had no idea how these would taste. I followed your recipe almost to the letter. Baked them after 20 hours in the refrigerator. Too tempted to wait any longer. To be honest, I could not taste any difference between these cookies and ones made with regular flour. I like be able to bake with a lower gluten flour so I intend on making these again and again. So good!!!
Thank you for the recipe !!!
Leslie M says
This is our new favorite cookie recipe! I made them as directed, but did add some cinnamon powder. I only chilled in the fridge for an hour or two and they have come out amazing each time!! I actually have some dough chilling in the fridge right now and this will be my 5th batch that I’ve made since September. They rise perfectly and are the best chocolate chip cookie texture. I will definitely share this recipe with everyone…not just my Einkorn flour gluten free friends😊
Amy Sandidge says
Leslie! Thank you so much for letting me know!! I love that you have made them so many times since September. I need to try them with cinnamon, great idea! Happy baking my friend.
Linda T says
Are you using all purpose Einkorn flour or whole wheat??
Amy Sandidge says
Hi Linda! You can use an all-purpose einkorn, like Jovial. But for my cookies, I used a freshly ground einkorn, or whole grain einkorn flour. Both methods produce great cookies, but I personally prefer the whole grain einkorn flour.
Jill says
I’m new to using freshly milled flour. I like to measure by grams and wondered how much einkorn grain I should measure in grams?
Amy Sandidge says
Hi Jill! I do not have the measurements in grams. Most of my readers prefer cups/tablespoons vs weights. Sorry!!
Rebecca says
Can I swap the einkorn for spelt equally? I have been looking at numerous recipes and the proportion of flour:butter:sugar. I was looking for a sturdier cookie with substance that is better for transporting, rather than a softer crumblier cookie. I saw your spelt recipe with browned butter but was looking for one without that extra step for the sake of time lol. I will try making a half batch with equal amount sprouted spelt flour and coconut sugar, not sure if there is a difference in the absorbency of the einkorn vs spelt flour?! Thanks!
Amy Sandidge says
You can use spelt in this recipe- it absorbs liquid more quickly than einkorn, so the advice I would give is to make sure you don't over bake. This will dry out the cookies quickly. Happy baking!
Caron Richardson says
I made my first batch of this recipe yesterday and baked today. I think the dough was too cold for the first dozen bc they came out flat and not quite done in the middle. Baked for 12 minutes. Second dozen cooked for 14 minutes and they actually rose a little bit! Taste is good but I’m still learning how to bake with Einkorn.
Amy Sandidge says
Did you use fresh milled einkorn or all-purpose einkorn flour?
Pamela says
Hi Amy! I plan to make these today using fresh milled Einkorn. About how much grain do you grind to get 3 ¼ cup flour for this recipe? All of my Einkorn recipes with fresh milled flour are in grams (which is the same weight for the whole grain berries and flour). Thank you for sharing your recipes!
Amy Sandidge says
Hi, Pamela! So generally it is 1 cup of einkorn grain will mill to 1.5 cups of flour. This will vary slightly, but should be pretty close. Happy baking!
Pamela says
Thank you, Amy!
Bay says
These came out great!! I used coconut sugar in place of brown sugar. I only chilled the dough for 8 hrs and it worked perfectly! I've had IBD for over a decade but can tolerate einkorn flour. I only recently discovered this option so ive been enjoying making things with einkorn lately. Thank you for the recipe.
Amy Sandidge says
I am glad you loved this recipe! It is one of my personal favorite for einkorn flour as well. I have many other recipes with einkorn flour, you should check them out! I bet you will love those as well.
Julia says
These were seriously so good. I was nervous how they would turn out because the dough wasn’t very sweet or flavorful, but man when I baked them, they were great. I didn’t have baking soda so I did a tablespoon of baking powder.. they turned out flat and crispy, but I LOVE them that way.
Very delicious and will make again! (Even my parents loved them, and they don’t mill flour!)
Amy Sandidge says
This makes me so happy! Thanks for letting me know how much you liked them.