Description
Make rich, nutty chocolate chip cookies with a chewy center and crispy edges by using browned butter for a deep, caramelized flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the butter foams, then subsides, and brown bits form at the bottom. The butter will smell nutty. This takes about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Immediately pour the browned butter into a heatproof bowl. Let it cool at room temperature for 30 minutes until it is slightly solidified but still soft, like peanut butter. Do not chill rapidly.
- In a large bowl, beat the cooled brown butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 72 hours, for best flavor and texture.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle tops with flaky sea salt, if using.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look slightly underbaked.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Browning the butter is key; watch carefully to prevent burning the milk solids.
- Chilling the dough allows the flour to hydrate and deepens the nutty flavor from the butter.
- For thicker cookies, use a cookie scoop and press the dough balls slightly inward before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 110
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 23
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 35