You'll never make chocolate chip cookies another way after trying these salted brown butter cookies. They are sweet, salty, chewy, and crispy, with layers of flavorful depth throughout.
The process isn't a long or complicated one either, and they remain to be a one-bowl wonder. So, without further ado, let's get baking.
The Art of Browning Butter (Beurre noisette)
Brown butter (beurre noisette) is popular in French cooking and can be found in a variety of different dishes, though mostly savory. Beurre noisette translates to nut butter because of its nutty colour and aroma, which is why it pairs beautifully in today's recipe.
The process is a simple one, we begin with a small saucepan (though I usually cook exclusively with cast iron, for this method I suggest using stainless steel so you can gauge the colour). Melt the butter down over medium heat and as it melts you'll notice it begin to foam. Stir or swirl the pan gently then as it begins to reduce and bubble, it will start to brown. Continue swirling the pan gently and when the butter turns a golden caramel and smells toasty, it's ready. Remove from the heat and let cool.
Beyond the Butter
This recipe is chock-full of surprises, but what it really comes down to is the quality of ingredients not the quantity. That being said we swapped the vanilla extract for fresh vanilla beans to offer a distinguishable vibrance.
Next up we have the chocolate. I used three varieties for today's recipe and strongly suggest using bar chocolate vs. morsels because visually, the shards of chocolate are more attractive. Bitter chocolate (baking chocolate), semi-sweet, and milk chocolate, offers a nice balance keeping the cookies just sweet enough without overpowering the rest of the ingredients.
Finally, the salt. Flaky sea salt or course will work perfectly here. Do not use anything finer than that. The salt compliments the nuttyness, the bittersweet, and the fragrant vanilla.
Salted Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 dozen cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cup AP flour
- 1/2 vanilla bean
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- Coarse sea salt or flaky salt, for topping
- 1/4 cup baker's chocolate, chopped
- 1/4 cup milk chocolate, chopped
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, melt down butter and cook over medium heat until browned. Remove and let cool to room temperature.
- Beat the butter, sugars, and egg until whipped.
- Add flour, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth and fluffy.
- Add chocolate and mix again.
- Scooped rounded tablespoon amounts of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle each cookie with coarse sea salt.
- Bake for 10 minutes or just until the cookies turn lightly golden around the edges.
- Let cool and set on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy!
Natalia says
I can’t get enough chocolate chip cookie recipes, and this one looks so special! Definitely going to give this a go these holidays, thank you so much for the recipe!
Veronika says
I already made these cookies a couple of times and it never fails!
Jenny says
These salted brown butter chocolate chip cookies are the perfect decadent treat for this holiday. The recipe is straight forward yet speaks to the senses. I love the juxtaposition of sweet and salt. Cheers!
Elaine says
Well, my cooking jar is almost empty, so it is time to get to cooking and ASAP. So this recipe is so timely!
Jacqueline Debono says
This is my new favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe. I love the flavour profile the browned butter and salt added. So much more than standard chocolate chip cookies!
Laura Side Street says
Ooh honestly nothing beats home made cookies - these sound delish! My boys would love these, thanks for sharing
Laura x
Melanie says
Loving the easy and clear step by step guide here. We love cookies so going to have to try this recipe out x
Jasmine Martin says
I am a huge chocolate chip cookie fan so I just know that I am going to like these. They look delicious!
Bernice says
Oh wow! That dough is perfection. I love using brown butter in cookie dough and the hit of salt really brings out the chocolate. Great recipe!
Marta says
I loved the contrast of saltiness with the nuttiness of the browned butter. These were a definite hit, even among the chocolate chip purists in my family.