People are always on the hunt for an ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe that combines the major two lovable characteristics of a cookie: chewy and crunchy. This epic brown butter chocolate chip cookies recipe will most certainly put an end to your hunt, as it is incredibly easy, simple, and loaded with deep flavors!
Made with a mix of granulated and brown sugar, browned butter, and a generous amount of chocolate chips, this recipe produces delectable cookies with a chewy, soft middle and crispy edges. These are truly the best cookies we have ever made; I even converted my cookie-disliking husband into a fan!
So, buckle up, get a cold glass of milk ready, and savor these heavenly treats!
Chocolatey Heaven!
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients
The specific ingredients listed below are actually what make this recipe fool-proof.
Unsalted butter: Incorporating unsalted butter gives you the upper hand in controlling the saltiness level of the cookies. Plus, it makes it easier for the butter to brown evenly and more easily. And yes, browning the butter is essential in this recipe for it enhances and deepens the flavors and grants the cookies a one-of-a-kind nutty taste.
Brown sugar: This recipe uses both brown and granulated sugar. Brown sugar is considered essential in making brown butter chocolate chip cookies, since it grants them a rich, caramel-like flavor. Besides, it contributes to the unique texture of the cookies.
Granulated sugar: That little crunch on the edge? Yes, you guessed it right- it is indeed caused by the addition of granulated sugar to the recipe.
Egg: We are preparing cookies from scratch, so an egg is the ultimate secret that makes all the difference in texture and consistency. It makes tender cookies and helps in binding all the ingredients.
All purpose flour: It ensures even baking and contributes to the texture.
Baking essentials: Salt, baking soda, and vanilla extract are basic and crucial ingredients that contribute to the cookie baking process, salt is essential for balancing out the flavors. Baking soda acts as a cookie-rising agent, and vanilla is added for its warm aroma.
Cornstarch: This ingredient contribute to producing soft, tender, and thick cookies.
Instant coffee: Do not worry, instant coffee won’t add a coffee flavor to the cookies, on the contrary, it will intensify the flavor of chocolate.
Semi sweet chocolate: You can either choose good-quality chocolate chips or chocolate chunks. The quality of chocolate is definitely crucial, so be careful when it comes to the chocolate you load your cookies with!
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Steps to Prep
Preparing the Dough:
First of all, brown the butter on medium heat until the milk solids start to separate, and the color turns amber.
Then, transfer to a bowl, and add the brown and white sugar. Whisk together well, and set aside to cool for 3-5 minutes.
After that, add the egg once cooled, and the vanilla. Whisk again.
Last but not least, add in the flour, salt, instant coffee, cornstarch, and baking soda. Fold together well, before adding the chopped chunk or chocolate chips.
Finally, scoop out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate for 45-60 minutes.
Baking the Cookies:
First, bake in a preheated oven at 350℉, for 12-14 minutes.
Then, once out of the oven, use a cookie cutter or large cup or bowl to make the cookie shape more even.
Finally, if you want to get that signature crinkle cookie look, lightly bang the tray onto a table 1-2 times. Let it cool completely, and enjoy!
When you are browning the butter, make sure to keep a close eye on it. Don’t leave the kitchen while doing this step, for it can burn in a blink of an eye. It is not complicated though; you just have to watch over it until it turns light brown and smells nutty.
Brown Butter Cookies Variations
All you have to do is simply follow the cookie dough recipe without substituting any ingredients, because we all know the delicacy of preparing a cookie dough from scratch. However, this does not mean you cannot experiment with incorporating various flavor profiles into your dreamy cookies!
Chocolate Lovers Brown Butter Cookies: For all you chocolate fans out there, this twist is going to satisfy your most aggressive chocolate craving. Instead of just adding chocolate chips, you can generously incorporate chocolate chunks from your all time favorite chocolate bar. You will thank me later!
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies with Nuts: For those who love the extra crunch in their cookies, it would be just epic to add some chopped nuts into the dough.
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Top Tips
Quality ingredients grant the irresistible texture and flavors you are looking for in your cookies.
Make sure that you refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. Believe me when I tell you that this step is crucial and truly transformative.
Allow ingredients like the egg and butter to come to a room temperature before using them in the cookie dough. If you forgot to take the egg out of the fridge beforehand, you can definitely run it under lukewarm water.
Wait for the browned butter to cool completely before resuming your recipe.
Please! Do not over mix the dough. Ensure that you have combined and folded all the ingredients without overworking them. Over mixing can result in stiff and tough cookies, compromising their moisture and chewiness!
If you want to get that signature crinkle cookie look, gently tap the baking tray onto a table 1-2 times. Allow the cookies to cool completely before enjoying them!
Storage Tips
Storing Freshly Baked Cookies: I highly recommend baking the cookies and consuming them fresh instead of baking them days in advance. Make sure to wait after taking them out of the oven, I know it sounds hard especially with the gorgeous aroma filling the air, but if you don’t wait they may end up falling apart. Once cooled, stack your gorgeous batch in an air-tight container or a tight cookie jar to preserve freshness. They can last for up to 4 days if stored properly in a cool and dry place.
Freezing Cookie Dough: Freezing cookie dough is an incredibly smart idea that can save you when in a hurry and having friends over or when you are craving a chocolatey sweet treat but you are too lazy to do it. Here me out, all you have to do is to turn the pre-chilled dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and pop them in the freezer for 25-30 minutes. Once frozen, transfer to a container of your choice or a freezer-safe bag.
Thawing: Thaw the frozen cookie balls by transferring them to the fridge the night before or for several hours. Once thawed, you can bake them according to the instructions. However, if the cookie dough is still a bit firm, allow it to sit at room temperature to ensure it has fully thawed.
Chewy Brown Butter Cookies!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Browning butter is a simple process where you heat it to caramelize the milk solids granting it a rich aroma and irresistible flavor. It is used in this recipe to enhance the flavor, aroma, and the overall texture of the cookies. In other words, it elevates your typical chocolate chip cookies and takes it to cookie heaven!
It is crucial to keep a close eye on the butter while it’s being heated. Once its color changes to golden brown and it starts to emit a deliciously strong aroma, you will know for sure that your brown butter is done!
I honestly do not recommend it! Chilling the dough works like magic, transforming the cookies’ texture. It does not give them the chance to spread, leaving you with chewy, moist, and crunchy cookies.
Of course! In fact, a pinch of sea salt would definitely elevate the flavor of the cookie. That contrast between sweet and salty flavors enhances the overall taste of the cookies.
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If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1⅓ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee
- 12 ounces semi sweet chocolate
Instructions
To Prepare the Dough
- Brown the butter on medium heat until the milk solids starts to separate and the color turns amber, and you start seeing brown specs. Make sure to continuously whisk.
- Transfer to a bowl, and add the sugars.
- Whisk together well, and set aside to cool for 3-5 minutes. Add the egg once cooled, and the vanilla. Whisk again.
- Add in the flour, salt, instant coffee, cornstarch, and baking soda. Fold together well.
- Add chopped chunk chocolate or chocolate chips.
- Scoop out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate for 45-60 minutes.
To Bake the Cookies
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350℉, for 12-14 minutes.
- Once out of the oven, use a cookie cutter or large cup or bowl to make the cookie shape more even.
- To get that signature crinkle look, lightly bang the tray onto a table 1-2 times. Let it cool completely; enjoy!