Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

The underlying caramel tones make these Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies really special.

These are the top-ranked chocolate chip cookies in a couple of my friends’ homes, and their size alone makes my gang happy.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These brown butter chocolate chip cookies became our weekend dessert after drilling Bill on what sweets to bake. I could have predicted his answer, “chocolate chip cookies, flourless chocolate cake or lava cakes.” Well, I have a plethora of chocolate chip cookies on this blog and this particular one debuted in 2010, only months after I started blogging.

Needless to say, there were a few awful photos and not much else besides the recipe. A redo was definitely in order.

How to make brown butter

Brown butter is super easy to make, although it can be a disaster if you don’t babysit it.  You want a nutty flavor not a burnt one! The goal is to heat the butter until the butter solids brown.

• Cut unsalted butter into small, evenly-sized pieces and place it in a pot or pan.
• Cook on low until butter is melted.
• Turn the heat up to medium swirl the pan or stir almost constantly with a heatproof spatula to prevent milk solids from burning.
• The water is evaporating at this point. Watch carefully at all times.
• The butter becomes a light tan color as the milk solids toast or “brown” in the hot fat. Voila, brown butter!

How to make dark brown sugar

So you don’t have a box or bag of dark brown sugar in your pantry and are wondering what to do. You can always substitute light brown sugar, which is much more commonly found in kitchens. But you can also make your own dark brown sugar! PRO-Tip; For each cup of dark brown sugar you need, combine 1 cup of light brown sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses. Mix and use as directed. It’s as easy as that!

You May Need:

• Large Cookie Scoop
• Half Sheet Pan
• Parchment Sheets

A Cook’s Illustrated Classic

Since most of my friends are aware of the hubby’s penchant for chocolate chip cookies, I’ve had numerous folks offer their favorite recipes. I have tested nearly every single one. I tweaked this Cook’s Illustrated classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, recommended by numerous friends, by browning the butter before adding it to the dough. Note that the recipe calls for dark instead of light brown sugar which adds another degree of deliciousness with caramel undertones!

Bill was thrilled to come home to these, though he did mention that a double batch would have been nice! That made me chuckle.

More Chocolate Chip Sweets You’ll Love:

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from Spend with Pennies
• Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread from Princess Pinky Girl
• Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Rainbow Chocolate Chip Cookies from In Katrina’s Kitchen

Continue to Content

Print

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

A caramel undertone from the brown butter makes these chocolate chip cookies something special!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Yield 16

Ingredients

• 14 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, chunks or discs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375º.

Melt 10 tablespoons of the butter in a saucepan over over low heat until melted. Increase heat to medium, cooking and stirring for a few more minutes until the butter is golden brown with a nutty fragrance.

Pour into heatproof bowl, and add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter.  Stir until melted.

Add both sugars, then vanilla.  Mix in egg and egg yolk.  Add baking soda, then flour and mix until just combined.  Add chocolate and mix until well dispersed.

Use a large cookie scoop to make dough balls.  Place about 2 inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheets.  Bake 10-14 minutes or till cookies are golden.  Cool on rack.

Notes

Adapted from Cook's Illustrated's Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 262Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 121mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 1gSugar: 20gProtein: 3g