Name: brown butter chocolate chip cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

It started on one of those cold afternoons when the house felt too quiet and I wanted something warm and sweet to fill the kitchen so I grabbed the butter without even checking if it was soft enough and ended up scraping it with a spoon because I forgot to leave it out earlier and it made me laugh because that’s just how my days usually go but I kept going anyway because once I start craving that nutty smell there’s no turning back.

The first time I made these I actually burned the butter because I got distracted folding laundry and by the time I came back the pot smelled like popcorn gone wrong and I thought I ruined it but I tried again and when it turned golden brown with that warm toasty scent I felt like a kitchen hero and my kids came running thinking I was making pancakes because the smell was just that good.

I mixed everything in my biggest bowl because I always underestimate how much cookie dough I’ll end up with and of course I forgot to check if I had enough chocolate chips and I found half a bag at the back of the pantry mixed with some white chocolate pieces so I threw them all in because honestly who cares as long as there’s chocolate and it turned out even better than before.

While scooping the dough onto the trays my youngest tried sneaking one raw bite and I said no but she grinned with chocolate on her face so I gave up and let her have a tiny piece and she said it tasted like magic dough and I thought that’s probably the best compliment a mom can get.

When the cookies came out they were golden around the edges and soft in the middle just like I wanted and I almost dropped the tray because I was trying to grab my phone for a picture and the oven mitt slipped off but thankfully I caught it with my other hand and only one cookie rolled off which somehow made it even more perfect because a little imperfection makes them real.

Now every time I make them I like to eat them warm with a cup of coffee or sometimes with cold milk if it’s too hot outside and they go so well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even a little spoon of peanut butter or Nutella on top and one time I dipped them into Crab Cake Sauce by accident during dinner and it was weirdly delicious so I tried again later with caramel sauce and it was even better and if you ever feel brave try them with whipped cream or strawberries because honestly anything sweet works.

I’ve baked these so many times that the smell alone feels like home and it always reminds me how something so simple can make everyone smile and even when I mess up a little like burning the edges or using the wrong sugar they still disappear by the next morning so I think that’s the real sign of a good recipe.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Ingredients notes

Butter makes the cookies rich and soft because it melts and mixes everything together
Brown sugar adds a deep sweet flavor and helps make the cookies chewy
Granulated sugar makes them sweet and helps the cookies spread when baking
Eggs keep the dough together and make it smooth
Vanilla extract gives a yummy smell and taste to the cookies
All-purpose flour makes the dough thick and holds all the ingredients
Baking soda helps the cookies puff up and not be flat
Salt balances the sweetness and makes the flavors pop
Chocolate chips make every bite taste amazing with melty chocolate

How to make brown butter chocolate chip cookies ?

Step 1: prepare the oven and pans.

Turn on the oven to 350°F so it can heat up and get ready to bake and put parchment paper on a baking tray so the cookies do not stick .

Step 2: brown the butter.

Put the butter in a small pot and cook it over medium heat and watch carefully as it melts and starts to bubble and turn brown and it will smell nutty and yummy and when it turns golden brown take it off the heat and let it cool a little .

Step 3: mix the dry ingredients.

In a big bowl add the flour and baking soda and salt and mix them together with a spoon so everything is even .

Step 4: mix the sugars and brown butter.

In another big bowl add the cooled brown butter with the brown sugar and white sugar and mix them together until smooth and shiny and creamy .

Step 5: add the eggs and vanilla.

Crack the eggs into the bowl and add the vanilla and mix again until everything is smooth and looks like caramel .

Step 6: combine wet and dry ingredients.

Pour the flour mix into the butter mix and stir until it comes together and you can no longer see dry flour and the dough should be thick and soft .

Step 7: add the chocolate chips.

Add the chocolate chips and mix them in so they spread all through the dough .

Step 8: shape the cookies.

Scoop small balls of dough with a spoon or cookie scoop and put them on the baking tray and leave some space between each one so they have room to spread .

Step 9: bake the cookies.

Put the tray in the oven and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still soft .

Step 10: cool the cookies.

Take the tray out of the oven and let the cookies rest for a few minutes before moving them to a rack so they can cool completely .

Kitchen equipment needed

Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Whisk or spoon
Small pot
Baking tray
Parchment paper
Cooling rack
Cookie scoop or spoon

Storage options

Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days and if you want to keep them longer put them in the freezer for up to three months and to make them soft again warm them for a few seconds in the microwave before eating .

Variations for brown butter chocolate chip cookies

You can use white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chunks instead of regular chips and you can add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and you can even sprinkle a little sea salt on top before baking for a fancy touch .

FAQs

What is brown butter chocolate chip cookies made of?

They are made of brown butter which gives a rich nutty flavor and mixed with sugars flour eggs and chocolate chips to make a soft chewy cookie that tastes amazing.

What does brown butter chocolate chip cookies taste like?

They taste buttery and sweet with a hint of caramel flavor from the brown butter and every bite has gooey melted chocolate that makes them so good.

How do you make brown butter chocolate chip cookies soft?

Let the brown butter cool before mixing and don’t overbake them and take them out when the edges are just golden and the centers still look a little soft.

Can you freeze brown butter chocolate chip cookies?

Yes you can freeze them after baking once they are cool or you can freeze the cookie dough balls and bake them later when you want fresh cookies.

Why is brown butter special?

Because when butter melts and browns it creates a deep nutty flavor that makes cookies taste richer and more delicious than regular butter.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

It’s better to use real butter because margarine does not brown the same way and the cookies will not have that yummy nutty flavor.

Can I add other mix-ins?

Yes you can add dried fruits or toffee bits or even M&M’s to make your cookies more colorful and fun.

How long should I cool the brown butter before mixing?

Let it cool for about 10 to 15 minutes so it’s warm but not hot when you mix it with the sugars or it might melt them too much.