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If you’ve ever thought that chocolate chip cookies couldn’t get any better, wait until you try this Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. It takes the classic, comforting cookie we all know and love and elevates it with the irresistible rich, nutty flavor of browned butter. The result is a perfect balance of crispy edges, soft chewy centers, and pockets of melty dark and semisweet chocolate. It’s a truly unforgettable treat that’s just waiting to become your new go-to dessert or snack!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays an important role in building that wonderfully complex flavor and texture that makes these cookies so special. From the nutty browned butter to the combination of light brown and granulated sugars, every component contributes to the magic.
- Salted Butter: Browning it with care unlocks deep, toasty flavors that are the heart of this cookie.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and the ideal tender crumb when combined just right.
- Baking Soda: Helps the dough rise just enough for a soft, chewy texture.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness for a rich taste profile.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle hint of molasses flavor that complements the browned butter.
- Granulated Sugar: Creates crisp edges and a delicate crunch.
- Large Egg: Adds richness and binds the dough together perfectly.
- Milk: Softens the dough and helps maintain a tender bite.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and depth to every bite.
- Dark Chocolate (coarsely chopped): Provides intense chocolate pockets with a slightly bitter edge.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Adds familiar melty sweetness and texture contrast.
- Flaky Sea Salt (optional): A sprinkle on top heightens the sweetness and adds a gourmet finishing touch.
How to Make Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Butter
Start by melting the salted butter over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Watch closely as it transforms from yellow to a warm golden brown, releasing a nutty, irresistible aroma. This step is key to developing the signature flavor of this Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, so patience here pays off big time. Once browned, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
While the butter is cooling, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until they are well incorporated. This ensures even distribution so every bite has that perfect texture and balance.
Step 3: Mix Butter and Sugars
Pour the warm brown butter into another bowl and add both the light brown sugar and granulated sugar. Stir this mixture until it resembles thick, wet sand. This mixture forms the sweet, buttery base that makes these cookies so memorable.
Step 4: Add Eggs, Milk, and Vanilla
Next, mix in the large egg, milk, and pure vanilla extract gently but thoroughly. Be careful to mix just until creamy, as overmixing can affect the delicate crumb and the luscious texture that makes this Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe so addictive.
Step 5: Fold in Flour and Chocolate
Gradually incorporate the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, folding just until combined to keep the dough tender. Then carefully fold in the chopped dark chocolate and semisweet chocolate chips so that each cookie will have delightful pockets of melty chocolate in every bite.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and refrigerate it for 1 to 2 hours. This step is essential for melding flavors and controlling spread during baking, resulting in thicker cookies with a perfect texture.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Scoop the chilled dough evenly spaced on the sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are golden and caramelized but the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked for that coveted chewy texture. Let the cookies cool on the sheet briefly before transferring to a wire rack.
How to Serve Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To dress up your Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, try sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top once they come out of the oven. This simple addition intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds a gourmet flair. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also create a pretty, delicate look for special occasions.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine on their own but also pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk, a hot cup of coffee, or a warm mug of chai tea. For a more decadent experience, serve alongside vanilla ice cream or fresh berries for a delightful contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Bring these cookies to your next gathering by arranging them on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra chocolate chips, nuts, or a drizzle of caramel for a DIY cookie bar. Or sandwich two cookies together with creamy peanut butter or marshmallow fluff for a playful twist everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store your Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for up to five days, making them perfect for enjoying throughout the week or sharing with friends and family.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough after mixing and before baking. Scoop portions onto a baking tray, freeze until firm, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time for perfectly fresh cookies anytime you want.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, pop leftover cookies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or warm them briefly in a low oven. This revitalizes the melty chocolate and keeps the centers soft and heavenly.
FAQs
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
Absolutely. If you swap to unsalted butter, simply add a pinch more salt to the dough to keep the flavor balanced, especially if you want that nuanced, salty-sweet contrast that enhances the chocolate.
Why is browning the butter important?
Browning the butter adds deep, nutty undertones that transform basic cookies into something extraordinary. It elevates the aroma and flavor, giving these cookies their signature richness you won’t get from just melted butter.
Can I substitute chocolate chips with other types of chocolate?
Feel free to mix it up! Chopped white chocolate, milk chocolate, or even chunks of your favorite baking chocolate can be delicious alternatives. Just keep the total chocolate amount about the same for balanced texture and flavor.
How thick should I scoop the dough?
Scoop cookie dough balls about the size of a heaping tablespoon for optimal size and baking. This creates cookies that are large enough to showcase the chocolate pockets but still bake evenly with crisp edges and chewy centers.
Is chilling the dough really necessary?
While you can bake immediately, chilling the dough for 1 to 2 hours significantly improves flavor development and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking, giving you that classic, thick, soft cookie profile.
Final Thoughts
I truly can’t recommend this Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe enough if you’re craving a cookie that’s bursting with flavor, texture, and love in every bite. It’s the kind of recipe that you’ll want to make over and over, sharing with loved ones and savoring every cozy moment. Go on, give it a try and enjoy one of the best cookies you’ll ever taste!
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Print
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 14 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies feature rich, nutty browned butter combined with dark and semisweet chocolate for a deeply flavorful, soft-centered cookie with perfectly caramelized edges. Cooling the dough enhances flavor and texture, resulting in irresistible cookies that balance sweetness and a hint of sea salt perfectly.
Ingredients
Butter Mixture
- 10 tablespoons (140g) salted butter
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (215g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Sugars
- â…” cup (145g) light brown sugar
- â…“ cup (65g) granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
Chocolate
- 3 oz (85g) dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup (85g) semisweet chocolate chips
Optional Topping
- Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: Melt the salted butter over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue heating until it turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma. Watch carefully to prevent burning, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Butter and Sugars: In a separate bowl, mix the warm brown butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture resembles thick wet sand.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Gently stir in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture just until creamy, taking care not to overmix to maintain the butterfat’s emulsification.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Chocolate: Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Then gently fold in the chopped dark chocolate and semisweet chips, being careful not to overwork the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Scoop dough onto the sheet spaced evenly. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until tops are golden and edges caramelized but centers remain soft. Let cool on the sheet before transferring.
Notes
- Browned butter adds a nutty, rich flavor that elevates classic chocolate chip cookies.
- Chilling dough is crucial to control spreading and develop flavor.
- Use a mix of chopped dark chocolate and semisweet chips for varied texture and chocolate intensity.
- Optional flaky sea salt sprinkled on top enhances contrast and flavor complexity.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender and soft.
