Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies elevate the classic cookie with a rich, nutty flavor from browned butter. Perfectly chewy with a slightly crisp edge, they’re loaded with gooey chocolate chips for the ultimate indulgence.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The browned butter adds a deep, caramel-like flavor you won’t find in regular chocolate chip cookies.
• It’s the perfect balance of chewy centers and crispy edges.
• This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients.
• You can customize it with mix-ins like nuts or different types of chocolate.
• These cookies stay fresh for days, making them great for gifting or meal prep.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark work best)

Directions

1. Brown the Butter: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, stirring frequently. Cook until the butter turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the browned butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until well mixed. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
4. Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
5. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step is key for thick, chewy cookies.
6. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Scoop and Bake: Scoop the dough into balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft.
8. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: Approximately 24 cookies
• Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Variations

• Nuts: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.
• Chocolate Variety: Use milk chocolate, white chocolate, or dark chocolate chips, or even a mix.
• Salted Finish: Sprinkle the cookies with flaky sea salt before baking for a sweet-salty twist.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freezing Dough: Scoop the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, and transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
• Reheating: Warm cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes for a freshly baked feel.

FAQs

1. What is browned butter?

Browned butter is butter that has been cooked until the milk solids turn golden brown, giving it a rich, nutty flavor.

2. Can I skip chilling the dough?

Chilling the dough enhances flavor and prevents the cookies from spreading too much. It’s worth the wait!

3. Can I use salted butter?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by half.

4. Why are my cookies flat?

Flat cookies could be due to not chilling the dough or using butter that’s too warm. Ensure your dough is cool before baking.

5. Can I freeze baked cookies?

Yes, baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven before serving.

6. How do I make my cookies chewier?

Using more brown sugar than white sugar and chilling the dough helps create chewy cookies.

7. What can I use instead of chocolate chips?

Try chopped chocolate bars, white chocolate chunks, or even dried fruit like cranberries.

8. Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! Just ensure your mixing bowl is large enough.

9. What kind of flour works best?

All-purpose flour is ideal, but you can experiment with bread flour for even chewier cookies.

10. How do I know when the cookies are done?

Look for golden edges and a soft center. They’ll firm up as they cool.

Conclusion

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic, offering a depth of flavor that’s hard to resist. Perfect for special occasions or a simple treat, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. Try it out, and let the rich aroma of browned butter fill your kitchen!

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