If you are on the hunt for a truly irresistible treat, look no further than this Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. It takes the classic chocolate chip cookie to a whole new level by using browned butter, which adds a rich, nutty depth and irresistible aroma. Each bite is a perfect blend of chewy and crispy textures, studded with gooey chocolate chips, guaranteed to become your new favorite. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or craving a comforting homemade snack, these cookies deliver pure joy in every mouthful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward, but each plays a vital role in creating the spectacular flavor and texture that make this recipe so special. From the luxurious browned butter to the balanced sweetness of brown and white sugar, every element is essential.
- Salted butter – Browning 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) caramelizes the milk solids, giving that deep nutty flavor.
- White sugar – 1 cup adds just the right crispness and balances the sweetness.
- Dark brown sugar – 1 1/2 cups bring moisture and rich molasses notes for chewiness.
- Eggs – 3 eggs bind the dough and contribute to moisture and structure.
- Vanilla extract – 1 tablespoon adds warmth and enhances all other flavors.
- All-purpose flour – 4 1/2 cups, spooned and leveled, provide the base and create the perfect cookie consistency.
- Baking soda – 2 teaspoons help the cookies rise and spread beautifully.
- Kosher salt – 1 1/2 teaspoons balance the sweetness and enhance flavor depth.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – 2 1/2 cups plus extra for topping create those melty, decadent pockets of chocolate.
How to Make Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Butter
Start by melting the salted butter in a medium pot or skillet over medium heat. Use a light-colored pan so you can easily see the transformation. Stir every minute or two as the butter foams, then watch closely as the foam subsides and the milk solids at the bottom turn golden brown and smell delightfully nutty. This aromatic step is what sets apart the Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe and infuses the cookies with amazing depth.
Step 2: Combine the Sugars and Butter
Once browned, pour the butter into a large bowl or stand mixer to stop cooking. Immediately add the white and dark brown sugar, beating them together until smooth and glossy. This blend of sugars contributes both chewiness and crisp edges to the cookie dough.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
With the mixer running, add the eggs one at a time. If the butter mixture is too hot, wait a few minutes so the eggs don’t scramble, or whisk the eggs separately first. Then, mix in the vanilla extract, which enhances the warm, rich flavors.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Add half of the flour to the wet mixture but do not stir immediately. Mix the baking soda and kosher salt into the remaining flour, then combine all the flour mixture gradually into the wet ingredients. Be careful not to over-mix; stopping when the dough looks a little dry and floury creates the ideal texture.
Step 5: Stir in the Chocolate Chips
Fold in all the semi-sweet chocolate chips gently until just combined. Too much stirring can make the dough tough, so aim for a delicate touch here to preserve the perfect soft chewiness in the finished cookie.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for 1-2 hours, or up to 24 hours for intensified flavor. Alternatively, shape the dough into cookie-sized portions and freeze for 30 minutes before baking, which helps control spreading and makes shaping easier.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Use a 1/4 cup measure to scoop out the dough and shape each portion into an egg shape rather than a perfect sphere. Place cookies on the sheet with at least 2 inches apart to allow spreading during baking. Bake for 11-14 minutes until they just begin to turn golden on top, with centers no longer shiny, ensuring soft, chewy centers.
Step 8: Final Touches
Right out of the oven, press a few extra chocolate chips on top of each cookie for an appealing, melty look. Let cookies rest on the pan for 5 minutes to set before transferring to a rack to cool completely. This step locks in that perfect texture while giving you gorgeous presentation.
How to Serve Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your cookie presentation, consider sprinkling flaky sea salt on top right after baking. The flakes add a brilliant contrast to the sweetness and intensify the chocolate flavor. Adding a tiny dusting of cinnamon or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can also personalize these cookies beautifully.
Side Dishes
Of course, cookies always shine paired with a cold glass of milk, but why stop there? Serve these cookies alongside your favorite coffee or hot chocolate for a cozy treat. For an adult twist, pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a rich, fudgy chocolate mousse to complement the brown butter’s caramel notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn these cookies into an eye-catching gift by stacking them with parchment paper and tying a ribbon around the bundle. You can also sandwich them with homemade or store-bought caramel, peanut butter, or marshmallow fluff to create decadent cookie sandwiches perfect for parties, picnics, or special occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and fresh for up to 4 days. Add a slice of bread to the container to absorb excess moisture and keep the cookies perfectly chewy.
Freezing
This dough freezes wonderfully. Freeze shaped cookie dough portions on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a ziplock bag for up to 3 months. You can bake them straight from frozen, just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time, which makes for convenient fresh cookies anytime.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy these cookies warm, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or reheat in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. The warmth revitalizes the soft, gooey texture and brings back that extraordinary brown butter aroma that makes them unforgettable.
FAQs
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?
Yes, you can. Just be sure to increase the kosher salt slightly to balance the flavors since unsalted butter doesn’t add saltiness. This will help maintain that perfect balance in the Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
Why do you brown the butter before adding it to the dough?
Browned butter adds a deep, nutty, caramel-like flavor that regular melted butter cannot replicate. It transforms the cookie from traditional chocolate chip to something extra special and irresistibly fragrant.
Is it really necessary to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough boosts flavor development and also helps control cookie spread while baking. If you’re short on time, freezing shaped dough portions for 30 minutes can be a great shortcut with similar benefits.
Can I substitute chocolate chips with chunks or other types of chocolate?
Absolutely! Using chocolate chunks or a mix of bittersweet, milk, or even white chocolate can add delightful variation. Just keep the total chocolate amount roughly the same to maintain the cookie balance.
What’s the best way to prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough well before baking is the most effective method. Also, shaping the dough into slightly elongated egg shapes and spacing them well on the baking sheet helps keep cookies thick and tender, which is key to the Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the richness and warmth that browned butter brings to these cookies. Trying the Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is a guaranteed way to elevate your cookie game and impress anyone lucky enough to share them. Take a little time to prepare them, and you’ll be rewarded with the most delicious, comforting treat you might ever bake from scratch. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll quickly become a beloved classic in your kitchen!
Print
Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies offer a rich, nutty twist on the classic favorite. Browned butter enhances the depth of flavor, complementing gooey semi-sweet chocolate chips for a perfectly soft, chewy texture. The dough is chilled for improved structure, yielding irresistible cookies that are crisp at the edges and tender in the middle.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 & 1/2 cups salted butter (3 sticks)
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 & 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 & 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (plus more to top cookies)
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: Add the butter to a medium light-colored pot or skillet and heat over medium. Stir every 1-2 minutes as the butter melts, foams, and gradually darkens with tiny brown specks and a nutty aroma, indicating it’s perfectly browned.
- Combine Sugars and Browned Butter: Immediately pour the browned butter into a large bowl or stand mixer. Add the white and brown sugars and beat well to combine.
- Add Eggs: While beating, add the eggs one at a time. If you’re worried about curdling, let the butter mixture cool slightly first or beat the eggs separately before adding.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Incorporate Flour Mixture Part 1: Add half of the flour but do not stir immediately. Mix the baking soda and kosher salt into the remaining flour with a small spoon.
- Add Flour Mixture Part 2: Beat the flour and leavening mixture into the dough until partially mixed but still dry spots of flour remain. Avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Add all the semi-sweet chocolate chips and fold the dough gently to incorporate without overworking.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the fridge for 1-2 hours or up to 24 hours for best flavor. Alternatively, shape the dough into cookies and freeze for 30 minutes or refrigerate for 30-45 minutes.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silpats.
- Shape Cookies: Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, form the dough into egg-shaped mounds, spacing them with at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 11-14 minutes until edges are golden and centers are set but slightly soft, adjusting time depending on dough chill and oven.
- Add Extra Chocolate Chips: Immediately after removing from the oven, press several extra chocolate chips onto the tops of each cookie for visual appeal and extra chocolate goodness.
- Cool: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Enjoy the cookies warm or at room temperature with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate indulgence.
Notes
- Using a light-colored pan to brown butter helps monitor the butter color and prevent burning.
- Chilling the dough is crucial for better flavor development and preventing excessive spreading while baking.
- Do not overmix once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender and chewy.
- Press extra chocolate chips on top right after baking when cookies are hot to enhance appearance and chocolate flavor.
- These cookies can be frozen shaped or unbaked dough and baked fresh for convenience.
