The PERFECT Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – Super Easy

You know those moments when you stumble across something so delicious, you wonder why you hadn’t thought of it sooner? That’s exactly what happened when I came across Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies on Pinterest.

 I remember seeing it and thinking, “How have I been baking chocolate chip cookies all these years without adding brown butter?” The idea immediately grabbed me, and after one bite, I was hooked.

What makes these cookies stand out? Well, brown butter brings a nutty, caramel-like richness that’s hard to beat. 

The result is a chocolate chip cookie crispy on the edges, yet soft and chewy in the middle. It’s that perfect balance of flavor and texture that will have you sneaking just one more (and then one more after that). 

If you’re looking for a cookie that takes your baking to the next level with minimal effort, these brown butter chocolate chip cookies are exactly what you need.

So, are you ready to try this Pinterest-inspired recipe that will totally change the way you think about cookies? 

And hey, while you’re at it, check out my Apple Butter Cookies for another twist on classic flavors that you won’t want to miss!

The Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Unsalted Butter: The key to creating a rich, soft texture in cookies. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt in your dough, giving you the perfect balance of flavors.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a warm, caramel-like flavor to your cookies. The molasses in brown sugar helps create a chewy texture and deepens the flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps the cookies crisp up around the edges for that perfect texture.
• Egg: Provides structure and moisture to the dough, binding the ingredients together for a chewy center.
• Vanilla Extract (or Vanilla Bean Paste): Brings out the natural sweetness of the other ingredients and adds a fragrant, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire cookie.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of your cookie dough, providing the necessary structure and texture. It allows the cookies to hold together without being too thick or too thin.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies spread out and rise slightly while keeping them soft and chewy.
• Baking Powder: Gives the cookies a slight lift and helps them bake up light and tender, preventing them from being too dense.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness of the dough and enhances all the flavors, especially the richness of the brown butter and chocolate.
• Dark Chocolate: Adds rich, intense chocolate flavor. The chunks of dark chocolate melt beautifully in the cookie, giving you pockets of gooey chocolate goodness in every bite.
• Additional Dark Chocolate for Topping (optional): Extra chocolate on top creates a more indulgent experience and adds to the visual appeal of the cookies.

Note: This is just a quick rundown of the ingredients I used and why, to find all the details and measurements, simply scroll down to my recipe card!

How to Make Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

First things first, let’s get that brown butter going. It sounds fancy, but it’s super simple and it makes all the difference.

Start by browning your butter.

 In a saucepan over medium heat, gently melt the butter until smooth and fully liquefied. Keep an eye on it, and once it melts, it will start to foam. After a minute or so, the butter will begin to brown and give off a nutty aroma. 

Stir occasionally, making sure the milk solids don’t burn. Once it’s golden brown, remove it from the heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Trust me, this step is key to that delicious, rich flavor!

Mix your sugars and butter.

 In a large mixing bowl, combine your cooled brown butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. 

Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat them together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. You should see a slight creamy texture here, this is what will give your cookies a chewy, irresistible bite.

Add in your egg and vanilla.

 Crack in the egg and add your vanilla extract. Beat the mixture again until it’s fully incorporated. 

Combine the dry ingredients.

 In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. 

This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed, so your cookies bake evenly. Slowly add the dry ingredients into your wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is incorporated. 

Don’t overmix, or you’ll risk tough cookies!

Fold in the chocolate.

 Chop your dark chocolate into chunks (unless you’re using chips), and fold them into the dough.

I like to save a little extra chocolate to press on top of the cookies later, just to make them look extra tempting.

Chill the dough.

 This step is a must if you want thick, chewy cookies. Cover your dough with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. 

If you have the time, chilling for a few hours is even better, it allows the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.

Shape the dough into balls.

 Once your dough has chilled, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. 

If you saved extra chocolate, gently press some chunks on top of each cookie ball for that irresistible chocolatey finish. 

Arrange them on a baking sheet, leaving space between each one to allow for spreading.

Bake your cookies.

 Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake your cookies for 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.

Don’t worry if they seem a little underbaked when you take them out, that’s what makes them so chewy.

Cool and enjoy!

 Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool fully. 

Then, take a bite and let the rich, nutty flavor of the brown butter and gooey chocolate melt in your mouth. You’ll be hooked!

What Goes Well With Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Take your cookie game to the next level with these delicious pairings:

• Sea Salt Caramel Gelato – The creamy, salty-sweet contrast with the brown butter flavor will have you hooked.
• Bourbon-spiked coffee – For a grown-up twist, serve these cookies with a warm bourbon coffee. The deep, rich flavors work perfectly with the cookies.
• Chai latte – The spiced warmth of chai is a lovely balance with the rich, nutty brown butter cookies.
• Freshly whipped cream – Light, airy whipped cream adds a luxurious touch. Top your cookie with a dollop or serve it alongside for dipping.
• Dark chocolate fondue – Melt some dark chocolate and dip your cookies in it for an extra indulgent treat.
• Caramelized bananas – Slice some bananas, toss them in brown sugar, and caramelize them in a pan for a sweet, warm sidekick.

If you’re a fan of indulgent cookies, why stop here?

Check out my Chick-fil-A Cookie Recipe for another sweet treat that will blow your taste buds away!

4 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Avoid these common pitfalls to make sure your cookies turn out perfectly every time:

Don’t skip browning the butter properly

Brown butter is the star of the show here, so take your time. If you rush it or let it burn, you’ll miss out on that deep, nutty flavor. 

Keep a close eye on it and pull it off the heat when it turns golden brown with a nutty aroma.

Overmixing the dough

When combining the dry ingredients with the wet ones, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing the dough can make the cookies dense and chewy instead of soft and tender. 

Mix just until everything is incorporated and then stop!

Skipping the chilling process

Chilling the dough isn’t just for better shaping; it also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking. 

If you skip this step or chill for less than 30 minutes, the cookies will spread too thin, resulting in crispy edges and flat centers instead of that perfect chewy texture.

Overbaking your cookies

Every oven is different, so don’t just rely on a set time. 

Start checking your cookies a minute or two before the recommended baking time is up. 

The cookies should look slightly underdone in the center, as they’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet. 

This will give you that perfectly soft, gooey center with a slightly crispy edge.

Storing Tips for Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days to keep them chewy.
• Freeze for Later: Freeze cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a bag. They stay fresh for 3 months.
• Dough Storage: Freeze dough balls on a sheet, then store in a bag. Bake straight from frozen, simply adding an extra minute to the baking time.

Final Thoughts

These Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect mix of rich, nutty flavor and gooey chocolate goodness. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have cookies that are sure to impress! 

Save this recipe on Pinterest, because once you taste these cookies, you’ll crave them over and over!

If you’re looking for another delicious twist on cookies, give my Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies a try too, you won’t regret it!

Did you try making this recipe? It will make me so HAPPY if you rate it⭐ and share your thoughts in the comments section below!