Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies 🍪
Rich, nutty, gooey-centered cookies with crisp golden edges
There’s something magical about taking a classic chocolate chip cookie and elevating it with one simple step: browning the butter. It transforms an everyday cookie into something deeply nutty, caramel-like, and completely unforgettable. These Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are chewy in the center, crisp around the edges, and packed with pools of melty semi-sweet chocolate.
As a longtime home baker and recipe developer, I can confidently say this version rivals anything you’d find at a high-end bakery. And the best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make.
Let’s bake.
Why I Love This Recipe
Brown butter adds layers of flavor you simply can’t get from regular melted butter. When butter is cooked until golden with those little brown specks at the bottom, it develops a toasted, nutty aroma that pairs perfectly with dark brown sugar and chocolate.
I also love the small touches in this recipe:
- Espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee.
- Cornstarch keeps the cookies ultra-soft.
- An extra egg yolk makes them rich and chewy.
- A quick freezer rest ensures thick, bakery-style cookies.
If you love bold, chocolate-forward desserts like The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made (and I’ve Made a Lot) or bite-sized treats like These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites Are My Favorite Little Treat to Bake Anytime, this recipe will absolutely earn a permanent spot in your rotation.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup (69g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (79g) dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15g) vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk (room temperature)
- 1 1/4 cups + 1 tablespoon (170g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups (225g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Ingredient Swaps & Notes
- No vanilla bean paste? Use 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract.
- No espresso powder? Skip it — but I highly recommend it for depth.
- Want chunkier chocolate? Swap some chips for chopped chocolate bars.
- Prefer darker flavor? Use bittersweet chocolate chips.
How to Make Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
1. Brown the Butter
Add butter to a pan over medium heat. Melt, then continue cooking 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently. The butter will foam, then turn golden brown with a nutty aroma and brown specks at the bottom.
Remove from heat immediately and pour into a bowl. Cool completely to room temperature before using.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, combine:
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cornstarch
- Espresso powder
Whisk together and set aside.
3. Cream Butter & Sugars
In a separate bowl, combine cooled browned butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar. Mix well.
Add vanilla bean paste, egg, and egg yolk. Beat for 2–3 minutes until pale and smooth.
4. Combine
Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
Add chocolate chips and gently fold.
5. Chill
Scoop 4 large cookies onto a prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each. Add extra chocolate chips on top if desired.
Freeze for 30 minutes.
6. Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 11–12 minutes until golden at the edges and gooey in the center.
Let cool slightly before serving (if you can wait).
Tips for Success
- Cool the butter fully. Warm butter can cause greasy, flat cookies.
- Don’t overmix. Overworking the dough leads to tough cookies.
- Underbake slightly. They’ll continue cooking on the tray.
- Use a cookie scoop for even baking.
If you love no-bake chocolate fixes too, check out This Brownie Batter Dip Is My Favorite No-Bake Dessert for Instant Chocolate Cravings.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
These cookies are incredible on their own, but here are some next-level ideas:
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream
- Crumble over milkshakes
- Pair with coffee or cold milk
- Sandwich two cookies around ice cream
If you’re building a dessert spread, add This Edible Cookie Dough Is My Favorite No-Bake Treat for Late Night Cravings or a slice of This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way to Use Up Overripe Bananas.
Nutritional Information (Per Cookie – Approximate)
- Calories: 310
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Sugar: 24g
- Protein: 4g
- Fiber: 2g
Storage & Leftover Tips
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
- Freeze dough balls and bake straight from frozen (add 1–2 extra minutes).
Pro tip: Slightly warm leftovers in the microwave for 8–10 seconds to revive that fresh-from-the-oven gooey center.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re in full chocolate mode, try:
- The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made (and I’ve Made a Lot)
- These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites Are My Favorite Little Treat to Bake Anytime
- This Brownie Batter Dip Is My Favorite No-Bake Dessert for Instant Chocolate Cravings
- This Edible Cookie Dough Is My Favorite No-Bake Treat for Late Night Cravings
- This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way to Use Up Overripe Bananas
Final Thoughts
If you’ve only ever made standard chocolate chip cookies, this brown butter version will completely change your baking game. The depth of flavor, the chewy centers, the melty chocolate — it’s everything a cookie should be.
Give these a try and let me know how they turn out. Did you add flaky sea salt on top? Swap in dark chocolate chunks? I’d love to hear your twist.
Happy baking! 🍪
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