Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a simple chocolate chip cookie recipe elevated to the next level by using brown butter. Yes, we are adding one more step (browning the butter) but I promise it’s worth it. It adds so much flavor and dimension to this classic recipe.

Brown butter can be used in pretty much any recipe that calls for butter. I tend to use it in baked goods, like cookies, sweet breads or scones. It adds an almost nutty flavor bordering on caramel or toffee. Brown butter doesn’t require any ingredients beyond butter (salted or unsalted, but I tend to use unsalted) it simply requires a little extra time and attention.

Related: Next up try our recipes for espresso cookies, chocolate chip cookie bars or chocolate chip bread. Yum!

Ingredients

Unsalted butter
Granulated white sugar
Brown sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract
All purpose flour
Salt
Baking powder
Chocolate chips
Flaky sea salt, optional

How to make Brown Butter Cookies

First make the brown butter. Cut the butter into tablespoon pieces. In a small bot or saucepan heat the butter over medium to high heat for 7-8 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to stir it now and again so it heats evenly. The butter will foam some. Once you see small bits of brown and the butter smells very nutty (almost like caramel or toffee nut) remove from heat. Allow to cool to room temperature or close before using.

In a large mixing bowl add the cooled butter and sugars. Cream together. Then stir in the vanilla extract and egg.

In a smaller bowl combine the flour, salt and baking powder. Whisk together. Then add this dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir to make the dough.

Last add the chocolate chips. Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to overnight before baking. I like to go ahead scoop all the dough into cookies before refrigerating, I will sometimes put half in the freezer (espeically if I make a double batch).

If using flaky sea salt add it to the tops of dough balls before baking. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. I tend to bake for 12 minutes but I usually check them after 10.

Tips and Notes

You can use unsalted butter or salted butter to make brown butter. For this recipe (and most baked goods) I tend to use unsalted butter.
Brown butter will not all turn brown, it will have small brown flecks in it. What browns in the milk solids, not the entire mixture. It can go from brown to burnt pretty quickly, so keep it an eye on it.
Crack the egg in a separate, small bowl before adding to the batter. This way if you see some shell go in you can remove it (with a larger piece of shell) before adding to the batter.
Chocolate chips are great but you could also use chopped chocolate or substitute other chips like peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, toffee chips, etc.
This recipe will make between 12-15 cookies depending how big you make them.