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This rich, buttery brown butter chocolate chip cookie has a chewy center and crisp edges and highlights the nutty richness of browned butter. The caramel-like flavor perfectly complements pockets of melted, gooey chocolate. These browned butter chocolate chip cookies are the ultimate upgrade to the classic chocolate chip cookie.

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Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I am obsessed with brown butter chocolate chip cookies. A simple step of melting and browning the butter on a stove will transform your chocolate chip cookies. It is a game-changing trick to create toffee-flavored, rich buttery cookies by just elevating one ingredient. It is truly remarkable! These are the best chocolate chip cookies!

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I have been making brown butter chocolate chip cookies for at least 15 years and they have become one of my signature cookies. I shared my MJ’s Top Secret Chocolate Chip Cookies, all made in one saucepan, which is one of my go-to cookie recipes.

Since I am always playing in the kitchen with different ingredients and methods, I wanted to work on melting and browning the butter until it is a perfectly warm amber color and letting it chill in the refrigerator before creaming the butter and sugars in a mixer.  Since some of the liquids can evaporate when browning the butter, I needed to compensate for that. I decided to add one egg yolk, which adds both liquid and fat.

This rich, buttery brown butter chocolate chip cookie has a chewy center and crisp edges and highlights the nutty richness of browned butter. The caramel-like flavor perfectly complements pockets of melted, gooey chocolate. These browned butter chocolate chip cookies are the ultimate upgrade to the classic chocolate chip cookie.

Ingredients:

  • ย Butterย (melted until an amber color with browned bits on the bottom of pan)
  • ย Dark Brown Sugarย (may use golden brown sugar)
  • Sugar
  • Eggs + Egg Yolk
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Flour
  • Baking Soda
  • Salt
  • Chocolate Chipsย or Chocolate Chunks

What type of chocolate should I use?

Use high-quality chocolate chips or chunks for the best flavor. Semi-sweet or milk chocolate complements the richness of the browned butter. I like to use a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips. My favorite brands are Guittard and Ghirardelli.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. How to make the best chocolate chip cookies. www.modernhoney.com #chocolatechipcookies #brownbuttercookies #chocolatechipcookie #cookies #cookie

How to Brown Butter:

This is an important step.  The butter will go through different phases. It will begin to melt and bubble. Take a wooden spoon or spatula and stir often and around the sides of the pan.  Let the butter melt and watch for it to begin changing colors from a creamy yellow to a deep amber yellow.

The butter will begin to foam and this is why it is important to stir often so you can see what is going on below the foam. Small brown bits will begin to form and that will be a signal that the butter is officially browned. Butter can burn quickly so watch carefully. It is better to pull off of the heat a little early instead of browning too long and risk burning it.

Since you want the butter to chill quickly, pour it into a large bowl and place in the refrigerator. Use a spatula to get every bit of butter out of the pan. Every bit of butter matters! Let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 40 minutes.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. How to make the best chocolate chip cookies. www.modernhoney.com #chocolatechipcookies #brownbuttercookies #chocolatechipcookie #cookies #cookie

Creaming the Brown Butter and Sugars:

This is an integral step as it creates a smooth and creamy dough and gets rid of the graininess from the sugars. It needs to be creamed for at least 4-5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl often.  The eggs and egg yolk can be added one at a time, mixing for 30 seconds after each addition.

Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls before chilling

Why is chilling the cookie dough important?

If time is on your side, an easy way to make chocolate chip cookies even BETTER is to chill the cookie dough. The chilling process is important because it helps the ingredientsย marry together and you end up with a richer chocolate chip cookie. Chilling the dough allows the fats to solidify, which means your cookies will spread less and have a thicker, chewier texture. It also enhances the flavor and texture of the cookies.

The dough doesn’t spread as much in the oven so you end up with a chewier cookie with crisp edges. Trust me on this one, chilling the dough is worth the sacrifice!

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. How to make the best chocolate chip cookies. www.modernhoney.com #chocolatechipcookies #brownbuttercookies #chocolatechipcookie #cookies #cookie

How to make Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies:

  • Place butter in large pot or deep skillet.ย  Melt butter over medium-low heat. The butter will go through different phases. It will begin to melt and bubble. Take a wooden spoon or spatula and stir often and around the sides of the pan.ย  Let the butter melt and watch for it to begin changing colors from a creamy yellow to a deep amber yellow.The butter will begin to foam and this is why it is important to stir often so you can see what is going on below the foam. Small brown bits will begin to form and that will be a signal that the butter is officially browned. Butter can burn quickly so watch carefully. It is better to pull off of the heat a little early instead of browning too long and risk burning it.Since you want the butter to chill quickly, pour it into a large bowl and place in the refrigerator. Use a spatula to get every bit of butter out of the pan. Let it chill in the refrigerator for about 40-60 minutes.ย 
  • Pour chilled butter into mixing bowl. Add brown sugar and sugar and cream for 4-5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl often.ย 
  • Add eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, beating for 30 seconds after each addition. Stir in vanilla.ย 
  • Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir just until combined, avoid overmixing. Stir in chocolate chips.ย 
  • If time allows, wrap cookie dough tightly and let chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour. If time allows, chill for 24-48 hours.ย 
  • Preheat oven to 385 degrees. Place parchment paper liners or Silpat liners on baking sheets. Roll balls of cookie dough and place on cookie sheet.ย  Bake for 9-10 minutes or until edges starts to become a light golden color.ย 
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. How to make the best chocolate chip cookies. www.modernhoney.com #chocolatechipcookies #brownbuttercookies #chocolatechipcookie #cookies #cookie

FAQ’s:

How should I store these cookies? Can I freeze these cookies?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the baked cookies or freeze the dough. You can freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months. Scoop the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. You can also freeze baked cookies and reheat them in a low oven for a few minutes. To enjoy frozen cookies, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them in the oven.

How do I know when the brown butter cookies are done baking?

The cookies are done when the edges are set and golden brown, but the centers are still soft and slightly underbaked. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet. If you prefer crispier cookies, bake them until the entire surface is golden.

This rich, buttery brown butter chocolate chip cookie has a chewy center and crisp edges and highlights the nutty richness of browned butter. The caramel-like flavor perfectly complements pockets of melted, gooey chocolate. These browned butter chocolate chip cookies are the ultimate upgrade to the classic chocolate chip cookie.

Substitutions:

Can I use regular butter instead of browned butter?

Yes, but browned butter adds a deep, nutty flavor that elevates the cookies. If you use regular butter, the cookies will still be delicious but have less toffee flavor.

Can I use light, golden brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar?

Absolutely! The dark brown sugar creates a chewier cookie but both brown sugars work well in this recipe.

Here are some of my favorite baking tools:

I love to hear from you! If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating. If you make any of my recipes, tag me on Instagram @modern_honey so I can see your creations. Sign up for my newsletter below so you never miss a recipe. Thank you for following along! I truly do have the greatest readers. FOLLOW ME ON:ย  ย INSTAGRAMย —ย FACEBOOK —ย PINTEREST

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4.95 from 68 votes

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies will always be a hit!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Servings: 24

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup Butter (melted until an amber color with browned bits on the bottom of pan)
  • 1 cup Dark Brown Sugar (may use golden brown sugar)
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1 large Egg Yolk
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 2 1/4 cup Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 cups Chocolate Chips (may use more and a combination of chopped up chocolate bars and chips)

Instructions 

To Brown Butter:

  • Place butter in large pot or deep skillet.  Melt butter over medium-low heat. The butter will go through different phases. It will begin to melt and bubble. Take a wooden spoon or spatula and stir often and around the sides of the pan.  Let the butter melt and watch for it to begin changing colors from a creamy yellow to a deep amber yellow.
    The butter will begin to foam and this is why it is important to stir often so you can see what is going on below the foam. Small brown bits will begin to form and that will be a signal that the butter is officially browned. Butter can burn quickly so watch carefully. It is better to pull off of the heat a little early instead of browning too long and risk burning it.
    Since you want the butter to chill quickly, pour it into a large bowl and place in the refrigerator. Use a spatula to get every bit of butter out of the pan. Let it chill in the refrigerator for about 40-60 minutes. 
  • Pour chilled butter into mixing bowl. Add brown sugar and sugar and cream for 4-5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl often. 
  • Add eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, beating for 30 seconds after each addition. Stir in vanilla. 
  • Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir just until combined, avoid overmixing. Stir in chocolate chips. 
  • If time allows, wrap cookie dough tightly and let chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour. If time allows, chill for 24-48 hours. 
  • Preheat oven to 385 degrees. Place parchment paper liners or Silpat liners on baking sheets. Roll balls of cookie dough and place on cookie sheet.  Bake for 9-10 minutes or until edges starts to become a light golden color. 

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24
Keyword: brown butter chocolate chip cookies
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Hi, I'm Melissa Stadler!

I am an Award-Winning Recipe Creator. Cover of Food Network Magazine. Two-Time Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist. I am passionate about sharing the best recipes so you have success in the kitchen!

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105 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Okay, you can stop looking, these really are the best chocolate chip cookies. The brown butter takes them over the top!

  2. 5 stars
    Full of flavor! Always looking for the perfect cookie recipe and this one, so far, is on top! The first night, the cookies are gooey and after they cool off all the way; they are perfectly chewy. The best part is that they donโ€™t taste too sweet (coming from someone who canโ€™t tolerate too much sugar). And the browned butter made them even more unique and amazing!