Brown butter chocolate chip cookies are a warm, irresistible twist on the classic favorite, where rich, nutty brown butter transforms every bite into pure magic. The butter’s toasty flavor infuses the dough, adding a cozy, caramelized sweetness that makes these cookies impossibly delicious. With their golden edges and gooey, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chips, these cookies are sure to steal your heart and become your new go-to treat. Top them with some flaky sea salt straight from the oven and watch them steal the show.
"Well, Michael, we can talk about having children now. I've mastered the chocolate chip cookie."
– Lauren Cermak
All About ThESE BROWN BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- Flavor: Thanks to the browned butter, these cookies have a rich, nutty flavor with deep, toasty notes. The browning process intensifies the butter’s flavor, giving it a caramelized taste. This enhances the overall depth of the cookie, giving it that special extra something when compared to traditional chocolate chip cookies. Basically, they taste like a classic chocolate chip cookie, but with a richer, more sophisticated flavor profile that’s a bit caramelized and utterly indulgent. Topped with flaky sea salt – and yes, it must be flaky – I’ll warn you… You can’t have just one.
- Texture: If you do it right (which, you will!), these cookies are the perfect balance of chewy dough and melty pockets of chocolate. We’re talking divinely, eyes rolling back when you take a bite chewy, with a barely crisp edge.
- Ease: This cookie recipe is a very easy one to make. The dough can be made in a stand mixer or by hand with a mixing bowl. They’ll turn out delicious either way! A beginner can easily master this recipe by following my detailed instructions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is brown butter?
Brown butter is a French cooking technique made by cooking unsalted butter until the milk solids brown. This cooks out any water that is present in the butter creating a toasty, richer flavor than just melted butter. It is traditionally served over fish or vegetables, but creates a delectable boost in flavor when baked into sweet treats!
2. how do you brown butter?
Cut unsalted butter into small pieces and place into a small sauce pan. Turn heat to medium/high and allow the butter to melt. This should only take a few minutes so keep an eye on it as not to go from brown butter to burnt butter! Constantly stir the pan until the butter becomes a light brown color. It will make a crackle noise and create a slight foam. The butter should begin to smell kind of nut like during this process! This should only take about 2-4 minutes. Once you have brown butter, pour it into a separate bowl so that it doesn’t continue to cook in the hot pan.
3. how do you keep these cookies fresh?
This rarely happens at our house, but if you aren’t eating these cookies right away, store them in an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature and they should remain fresh for up to 3 or 4 days.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
To make these brown butter chocolate chip cookies, you will need the following ingredients. See the full recipe card below for detailed amounts and instructions.
- Unsalted butter – The butter of choice for browning butter. Salted butter does not give the flavor you want when browning.
- Dark brown sugar – The secret to getting the perfect chewy cookie!
- Sea salt – I will admit I was hesitant at first, but one bite made me a lifetime fan of sea salt in cookies! It most definitely helps to bring out the chocolate!
- Vanilla extract – Required for the perfect chocolate chip cookie!
- Eggs – You will need two. One whole and only the yolk of the other.
- Flour – All purpose flour is great for this recipe. My favorites are King Arthur and White Lilly, but any will do!
- Baking soda – We don’t want completely flat cookies. This adds just a little lift!
- Dark chocolate chips – My biggest cookie tip. Use a mix of chocolate chip flavors!
- Semisweet chocolate chips – A chocolate chip cookie staple!
How to Make ThESE BROWN BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
To make these brown butter chocolate chip cookies, simply:
- Brown the butter: In a medium sauce pan add 10 tablespoons of butter and melt over medium heat. Once melted, continue to whisk until the butter begins to crackle and create foam. It should begin to smell kind of nut like and turn golden. This should only take about 2-4 minutes. Remove the butter from the heat and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter to the mixing bowl and stir until the butter is fully melted.
- Make the cookie dough: Add brown sugar, sugar, sea salt, and vanilla to the butter and whisk until fully combined. Add egg and egg yolk and whisk until fully combined. In another bowl combine the flour and baking soda. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until it is just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips until they are even throughout the dough.
- Scoop the dough: For large cookies, roll about 3 tablespoons of dough into a ball and place on baking sheet. If making the large cookies, you should be able to get 6 per large cookie sheet. Top dough balls with a sprinkle of sea salt if desired.
- Bake: Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes.
NOTES
Be sure not to over mix your batter. Especially the eggs.
Don’t over bake your cookies. You want to remove your cookies from the oven as soon as the edges are golden brown. The middle should remain a softer color.
TIPS & Variations
- Try adding nuts, caramel chips, or a candy like M&Ms
- Be sure not to over mix your batter. Especially the eggs.
- Don’t over bake your cookies. You want to remove your cookies from the oven as soon as the edges are golden brown. The middle should remain a softer color.
BROWN BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Time: 15 MINS
Yield: 18 large cookies
Ingredients
14 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
Brown the butter: In a medium saucepan add 10 tablespoons of butter and melt over medium heat. Once melted, continue to whisk until the butter begins to crackle and create foam. It should begin to smell kind of nut-like and turn golden. This should only take about 2-4 minutes. Remove the butter from the heat and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter to the mixing bowl and stir until the butter is fully melted.
Make the cookie dough: Add brown sugar, sugar, sea salt, and vanilla to the butter and whisk until fully combined. Add egg and egg yolk and whisk until fully combined. In another bowl combine the flour and baking soda. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until it is just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips until they are even throughout the dough.
Scoop the dough: For large cookies, roll about 3 tablespoons of dough into a ball and place on baking sheet. If making the large cookies, you should be able to get 6 per large cookie sheet. Top dough balls with extra chocolate chips if desired.
Bake: Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes. Sprinkle with a touch of flaky sea salt while chocolate is still melted.