Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies take the classic treat to the next level by introducing the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter. The butter is carefully browned in a skillet, creating a deep, caramelized taste that adds complexity to the cookie dough.
Paired with the sweetness of chocolate chips, these cookies have a slightly chewy texture with crispy edges, making each bite irresistible. The combination of the toasty butter and traditional chocolate chips elevates the familiar chocolate chip cookie to something extraordinary. These cookies are perfect for special occasions or a cozy treat to enjoy anytime.
The Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Description
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are a decadent twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie.
The key ingredient, brown butter, adds a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the sweetness of the dough.
These cookies have a perfect balance of chewy and crispy textures, with the deep flavor of the brown butter complementing the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
The dough is often chilled before baking to intensify the flavors. Once baked, the cookies have a golden-brown color and a delightful, slightly caramelized taste.
They are perfect for any occasion, providing a unique take on a beloved treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Brown the Butter:
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
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Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the mixture until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
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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 until just combined.
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Add Chocolate Chips:
Gently fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula, ensuring they're evenly distributed throughout the dough.
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Chill the Dough:
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
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Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Shape the Cookies:
Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoon portions of dough and roll into balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
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Bake:
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are slightly soft. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 230kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 13g20%
- Saturated Fat 8g40%
- Cholesterol 30mg10%
- Sodium 120mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 28g10%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 18g
- Protein 3g6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Brown butter chocolate chip cookies take the classic treat to a whole new level, offering a rich, nutty flavor that makes them irresistible.
Here’s a deep dive into how to perfect them, from browning the butter to elevating your presentation.
1. The Magic of Brown Butter
Brown butter is made by slowly cooking unsalted butter over medium heat until the milk solids turn golden brown and release a nutty aroma. This process enhances the depth of flavor, giving your cookies a toasty, caramelized note that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
Tips for Perfect Browning:
- Use a light-colored pan so you can monitor the color change.
- Stir frequently and don’t walk away—it can go from brown to burnt in seconds.
- Once it smells nutty and turns amber with brown specks, remove it from the heat immediately and transfer it to a heat-proof bowl to stop the cooking process.
Let the butter cool for about 10–15 minutes before mixing it with sugar, or else it could melt your sugars and affect the cookie’s texture.
2. Chill the Dough
Chilling is key. After mixing your dough, refrigerate it for at least 1 hour—overnight is even better. Chilled dough allows the flavors to meld and the butter to re-solidify, helping prevent excessive spreading in the oven.
3. Don’t Skip the Salt
Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the brown butter flavor. Use kosher salt in the dough and sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt on top right before or after baking for a bakery-style touch.
4. Use Quality Chocolate
Instead of basic chips, use chopped dark chocolate or a mix of dark and semi-sweet. This provides varying sizes of chocolate pockets, which melt differently and give each bite a unique experience. A few large chunks on top before baking can also make your cookies Instagram-worthy.
5. Texture Tricks
For a perfect texture:
- Use a combination of brown and white sugars. Brown sugar gives chewiness, while white sugar helps crisp the edges.
- Add an extra egg yolk for richness and softness.
- For bakery-style thickness, roll the dough into tall, rough balls instead of flat ones.
6. Baking Tips
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake one tray at a time on the center rack.
- Cookies are done when the edges are set and golden, but the centers still look slightly underdone—they’ll continue to cook as they cool.
7. Serving Ideas
- Warm and Fresh: Serve slightly warm with a glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Stack & Gift: Stack and wrap them in parchment with a ribbon for a sweet homemade gift.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Freeze and sandwich with your favorite ice cream.
- Crumbled Topping: Crumble over yogurt or use as a topping for pies or cheesecakes.
8. Storage
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the dough balls and bake straight from the freezer (just add 2–3 extra minutes to the bake time).
Master these tricks, and your brown butter chocolate chip cookies will rival those of any bakery—crispy, gooey, rich, and unforgettable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is brown butter, and why use it in cookies?
Brown butter is regular butter that’s been melted and cooked until the milk solids turn golden brown, giving it a rich, nutty aroma.
In cookies, brown butter adds a deep, toasty flavor that regular butter can't match.
It enhances the overall richness and gives the cookies a more complex taste profile, often described as caramel-like or slightly nutty. This step may seem small, but it significantly elevates the flavor of your cookies.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling the dough is highly recommended. After browning butter, it becomes liquid, and chilling the dough allows the fat to solidify again. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Chilling also gives the flour time to absorb the liquids, resulting in a chewier texture and more developed flavor.
A minimum of 30 minutes is helpful, but chilling for a few hours—or even overnight—yields the best results.
Can I use chocolate chunks instead of chips?
Absolutely! Chocolate chunks melt more freely and create gooey pockets of chocolate throughout the cookie. You can chop up a good-quality chocolate bar for this.
Mixing chunks and chips is also a popular option—it gives you varied texture and flavor with every bite.
Just make sure your chocolate pieces aren’t too large, so they distribute evenly in the dough.
