Description

These brown butter chocolate chip cookies feature deep, caramel-like flavor with a chewy center and crisp edges. They are sophisticated yet simple to make, requiring minimal cleanup and just a few basic ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
1 cup (200g) light brown sugar, packed
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 cups (340g) chocolate chips (semi-sweet and/or milk)
Flaky sea salt, optional for topping
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

Instructions

Brown the butter: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until it foams, subsides, and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma (5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and pour into a heatproof bowl. Cool for 10 minutes until just warm.
Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled brown butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk vigorously for 2 minutes until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
Add dry ingredients: Add flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Switch to a spatula and fold gently until no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
Fold in chocolate: Add chocolate chips (and nuts if using). Fold until evenly distributed.
Chill dough: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours). This prevents spreading and concentrates flavor.
Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop and bake: Scoop dough into 2-tablespoon balls, placing them 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are golden brown but centers look slightly underdone.
Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.

Notes

Browning butter is delicate; watch closely to avoid burning. Do not overbake the cookies; they will set as they cool. Chilling the dough is highly recommended for texture. Use a kitchen scale for accurate flour measurement. Room temperature ingredients help emulsify the dough better.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 180
Sugar: 15
Sodium: 120
Fat: 9
Saturated Fat: 5
Carbohydrates: 24
Fiber: 1
Protein: 2

Keywords: brown butter, chocolate chip cookies, baking, dessert, cookies, easy recipe, chewy cookies