Name: Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips; Flaky sea salt for topping (optional)

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The moment you sink your teeth into one of these Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’ll experience everything a perfect cookie should be — crispy edges, chewy middles, pools of melty chocolate, and a whisper of nutty brown butter in every single bite. These are the kind of cookies that disappear from the plate before they’ve even cooled, and they’re an absolute must-bake for anyone looking to up their cookie game. Whether you make them for a cozy night in or as a show-stopping treat for a crowd, you’ll find every excuse to whip up another batch of these classic-with-a-twist delights.

Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these cookies is that they take simple, everyday ingredients and transform them into something unforgettable. Each element is selected for the joy it brings to the texture, structure, and ultimate flavor of your Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Unsalted butter: Browning the butter gives these cookies a rich, toasty flavor you won’t find in ordinary recipes.
Packed brown sugar: Brings moisture and caramel-like depth, yielding that ideal chewy texture.
Granulated sugar: Works with brown sugar to balance sweetness and provide just the right crispness at the edges.
Large eggs: Help bind the dough and bring tenderness to every bite.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, making the brown butter and chocolate really shine.
All-purpose flour: Provides the cookie structure and just enough heft for a classic bite.
Baking soda: Gives the cookies their gentle lift and softness.
Salt: Accentuates all the other flavors, ensuring nothing tastes flat.
Semisweet chocolate chips: Lend melty, gooey pockets of chocolate with every bite.
Flaky sea salt (optional): Sprinkling some on top adds a delightful contrast and makes the chocolate pop.

How to Make Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Brown the Butter

Start things off by melting the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Keep a close eye on it, stirring often, as the butter begins to foam, then turns golden and releases a nutty aroma. This process takes about 5 to 7 minutes but transforms the flavor of your cookies into pure gold. Once it looks toasty and smells irresistible, pour the browned butter into a mixing bowl to cool off for a bit.

Step 2: Mix Sugars into the Browned Butter

When the butter isn’t piping hot anymore, whisk in the packed brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is shiny and smooth. This combination encourages caramelization and gives your Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies their distinctive chewy-toffee center.

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in the eggs one at a time—taking a moment to beat each in fully—then stir in the fragrant vanilla extract. The mixture should look cohesive and glossy, which means it’s ready for the dry ingredients.

Step 4: Dry Ingredients Time

In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk them together so the leavening is well distributed. Add the dry ingredients to the wet in a few additions, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing here is the enemy of tenderness!

Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips

This is where the magic starts to unfold! Use a spatula to fold in all those semisweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly dotted throughout the dough for chocolate in every bite.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Resist the urge to bake straight away: cover and chill your dough for at least 30 minutes, preferably more (up to 24 hours!). Chilling deepens flavors and ensures your Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies have the ultimate texture—chewy, thick, and never greasy.

Step 7: Shape and Bake

When you’re ready, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop the dough into 2-tablespoon mounds and space them 2 inches apart on the sheet to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges turn golden but the centers still look slightly underdone.

Step 8: Finish and Cool

Once out of the oven, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top if you like that blissful sweet-and-salty finish. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes (they’ll firm up!) before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy them warm, or let them cool completely for maximum chewiness.

How to Serve Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes

While these cookies are stunning on their own, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds an extra layer of flavor that beautifully balances out the sweetness and brings out the depth of the browned butter. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra chocolate chips pressed into the tops right after baking also makes for a dazzling presentation.

Side Dishes

There’s nothing more classic than pairing these cookies with a cold glass of milk, but they’re also absolute perfection alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon pick-me-up. For a grown-up twist, nestle a warm cookie beside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even some fresh berries for an elevated dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to make your Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies the star of the show, stack them in a tall glass jar as a centerpiece, package them in parchment and twine for edible gifts, or even make ice cream sandwiches with your favorite flavor. For parties, try mini cookies on wooden skewers for a cookie bouquet—guaranteed smiles all around!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your cookies will keep best in an airtight container at room temperature for about 4 days, though good luck making them last that long! If you want to maintain that freshly-baked texture, slip a piece of bread into the container—it’ll help keep the cookies soft and chewy.

Freezing

These Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies freeze beautifully at every stage. Freeze scoops of dough on a sheet until solid, then transfer them to a zip-top bag to store for up to 3 months. You can also freeze baked cookies—just pack them in layers with parchment in a container. Thaw at room temperature or enjoy straight from the freezer if you’re impatient.

Reheating

To restore that just-baked allure, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds, or warm several on a baking sheet in a low oven for a few minutes. You’ll get that melty chocolate and soft center all over again—almost indistinguishable from fresh.

FAQs

How do I know when the butter is perfectly browned?

Watch for the butter to foam, then begin to turn a rich golden-brown with small brown flecks at the bottom, and release a deliciously nutty aroma. Pull it off the heat as soon as it hits this stage to avoid burning, as it can go from perfect to overdone in seconds.

Can I use salted butter if I don’t have unsalted?

Yes! If you only have salted butter, just omit the added salt in the recipe. Taste the dough if you can—sometimes a little extra salt can work well with the chocolate and brown butter for an extra flavor kick.

Why is it important to chill the dough?

Chilling helps the flour absorb the liquids, making the cookies thicker, chewier, and more flavorful. It also prevents excess spreading during baking, so don’t skip this step—your Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies will thank you!

Can I use different kinds of chocolate?

Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match your favorite chips, chunks, or bars. Dark, milk, or even white chocolate are all fair game here. Adding a handful of chopped toasted nuts can also bring some fun texture.

What’s the best way to scoop the dough?

For consistent cookies, use a medium cookie scoop or a couple of tablespoons to portion the dough. Rolling the scoops between your hands isn’t necessary but can make for a picture-perfect batch.

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about the way Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies fill your kitchen with warmth and anticipation. Once you’ve tasted just how nutty, chewy, and full of chocolatey goodness they are, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again. So, gather your ingredients and treat yourself and your loved ones to the simple joy of truly exceptional homemade cookies—you deserve it!

Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 30 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 32 minutes (plus chill time)
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in these irresistible Favorite Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies for the perfect blend of nutty browned butter, rich chocolate chips, and a hint of sea salt. These bakery-style cookies are chewy, flavorful, and sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Browned Butter:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

For the Cookie Dough:

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Flaky sea salt for topping (optional)

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Instructions

Brown the Butter: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until golden brown, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Mix the Dough: Add sugars to the butter, then eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then mix into the wet ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips.
Chill and Bake: Chill dough for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Scoop dough onto parchment-lined sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired.