I still remember the first time I browned butter for cookies—it was a complete accident. I left a pan of butter on the stove just a little too long. Instead of ruining it, I discovered a nutty, caramel-like aroma that transformed my regular chocolate chip cookies into something extraordinary. Since then, I’ve perfected the best brown butter chocolate chip cookie recipe that delivers chewy centers, crisp edges, and deep toffee-like flavor. These cookies are warm, indulgent, and unforgettable.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Brown butter adds depth that standard chocolate chip cookies just can’t match. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with these cookies:
- Rich, nutty flavor from toasted butter.
- Perfectly chewy with crisp, golden edges.
- Balanced sweetness with melty pools of chocolate.
- Easy enough for weeknight baking, yet impressive for gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups semisweet or dark chocolate chunks
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir continuously until it foams, then turns golden brown with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes.
- Mix Sugars & Butter: In a large bowl, whisk browned butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Bring It Together: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Fold in chocolate chunks.
- Chill the Dough: Cover and chill the dough for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie. Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are just set.
- Finish with Sea Salt: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on warm cookies, if desired.
Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These brown butter chocolate chip cookies are chewy, golden, and packed with rich flavor from nutty browned butter and melty chocolate chunks.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups semisweet or dark chocolate chunks
- Flaky sea salt, optional
Instructions
1. Brown butter in a saucepan until golden.
2. Whisk sugars with browned butter.
3. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. Mix dry ingredients in another bowl.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
6. Fold in chocolate chunks.
7. Chill dough for 1 hour.
8. Scoop onto tray and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
9. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Notes
Chilling dough prevents spreading.
Mix chocolate chunks and chips for texture.
Sprinkle flaky sea salt for a bakery-style finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
How to Serve Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
The beauty of these cookies is their versatility. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:
- Classic & Simple: Enjoy them fresh out of the oven while the chocolate is still gooey. Nothing beats that first warm bite.
- With Milk: Pair with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate nostalgic treat.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Place a scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream between two cookies. Press gently and freeze for a cool twist.
- Dessert Topping: Crumble cookies over pudding, custard, or even cheesecake for added crunch and flavor.
- Coffee Companion: Serve alongside a latte or cappuccino. The nutty brown butter flavor pairs beautifully with coffee.
- Party Platter: Stack them high on a plate and dust lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant dessert table display.
How to Store Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but here’s how to keep them delicious for longer:
- At Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to keep them soft for up to 5 days. Add a slice of bread to the container to help retain moisture.
- In the Freezer (Baked Cookies): Once cooled, place cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. To revive them, warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes.
- Freeze the Dough: Scoop dough balls onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and label. Bake from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the baking time.
- Refrigerator Storage: If you plan to bake within 48 hours, refrigerating the dough enhances the flavor and texture.
Tips to Make Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Getting bakery-style cookies at home comes down to technique. Keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilled dough bakes thicker and prevents spreading.
- Mix Chocolate Types: Use a mix of chocolate chips and chopped chocolate bars for varied texture.
- Cool Brown Butter: Let the butter cool slightly before mixing, so it doesn’t scramble the eggs.
- Weigh Your Ingredients: For the most consistent results, measure flour and sugar with a kitchen scale.
- Test Bake First: Bake one cookie to check spread and adjust if needed.
- Bake in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet so cookies bake evenly.
- Size Matters: For bakery-style thick cookies, scoop larger dough balls and bake a minute or two longer.
Variations of the Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie
Once you master the base recipe, you can have fun experimenting:
- Double Chocolate: Replace ½ cup of flour with cocoa powder and stir in white chocolate chips.
- Nutty Twist: Add ½ cup of toasted pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts for crunch and depth.
- Espresso Boost: Stir in 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Holiday Spice: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for a warm, festive touch.
- Caramel Swirl: Fold in caramel bits or drizzle warm caramel over cooled cookies.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate: Add peanut butter chips or swirl in a spoonful of peanut butter before baking.
FAQs About Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough actually improves when chilled overnight. Bake within 48 hours for best results.
What type of chocolate works best?
Dark chocolate chunks melt into rich pockets, but semisweet chips hold shape better. A mix of both is perfect.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Likely the butter was too warm, or the dough wasn’t chilled long enough. Always cool your brown butter and chill the dough.
Final Thoughts About Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie
Brown butter chocolate chip cookies are a cozy twist on the classic, delivering bakery-level flavor in your home kitchen. If you love unique cookie recipes, don’t miss our best s’more cookies, or explore fun fall favorites like pumpkin s’mores cookies. Looking for fruity inspiration? Try these blueberry cookies or go back to basics with the best chocolate chip cookies.
Bake a batch today and experience why these are truly the best brown butter chocolate chip cookies.
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