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Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are THE best chocolate chip cookies you’ll ever make! Once you make these soft, chewy, crispy-edged cookies, you’ll never make them any other way. Plus, they smell so heavenly from the nutty brown butter!

a batch of cookies is presented on a plate with a tea towel next to it
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This recipe is worth making for the aroma alone. The smell of brown butter in the kitchen is better than any candle! It’s nutty, sweet, and absolutely magical. The best part? It lends all of those qualities to the chocolate chip cookies!

Brown butter chocolate chip cookies turn out chewy on the outside, soft on the inside and have that unmistakable buttery flavor that just can’t be beat. Don’t forget the sprinkle of sea salt salt on top to really make your mouth water!

Why You’ll Love These Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

You know those cookies that are so good that you’re tempted to burn your mouth for them as soon as they leave the oven? These definitely fall into that category and here’s why:

  • Crispy Edges. The way that the edges crisp up so perfectly is a thing of wonder. I love how chewy they are – it makes for the most satisfying bite.
  • Soft middles. Gooey soft middles are a hallmark of any good chocolate chip cookie recipe!
  • Dark Chocolate Chips. While you can swap these with milk or semi sweet chocolate chips, I highly recommend using dark! The way they compliment the brown butter and optional sprinkle of sea salt is insanely good.
  • Brown Butter! Brown butter may smell great but it tastes even better. Once you add it to chocolate chip cookie dough you’ll never go back!
the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies are on a countertop

Ingredients for Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you’re an avid baker, there’s a good chance you already have most of (if not all of) these ingredients on hand. To check out the exact measurements, just scroll down to the recipe card.

  • All Purpose Flour – Make sure you spoon the flour into the measuring cup! Don’t dunk it straight into the bag. When you dunk the cup into the bag, you end up really packing the flour in there which results in way too much flour.
  • Baking Soda – Make sure it’s not expired. In order for it to be potent, baking soda should be used within 6 months of the container being opened.
  • Butter – Unsalted is preferred.
  • Sugars – You’ll need both granulated white sugar and dark brown sugar.
  • Salt – A teaspoon of iodized white sugar helps to develop the other flavors. I also recommend sprinkling some Maldon sea salt flakes on top for the best combo of salty and sweet flavors!
  • Egg(s) – You’ll need one whole egg and a separate egg yolk.
  • Dark Chocolate Chips – Chocolate chunks are also totally fine.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Variations

Change things up a bit with these easy swaps:

  • Change the chocolate chips. Dark chocolate chips are my favorite to use, but you can swap them with milk or semi sweet chocolate chips if preferred. Chocolate chunks also work just fine.
  • Add flaky sea salt. If you’re a salty and sweet lover, then you’ve got to try a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt on top of the cookies! The way they compliment the dark chocolate is incredible.
a stack of cookies is presented on a plate

How to Make Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Step by Step

Take a sneak peek at just how quick and easy this cookie recipe is! For more detailed instructions, just keep scrolling down to the recipe card.

  • Prepare. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Mix the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour and baking soda in a bowl. Set aside.
  • Brown the butter. Melt 10 tbsp of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Keep cooking until it’s dark golden brown and has a nutty aroma. It should take just a few minutes. Be sure to constantly swirl and don’t let it burn! Then, transfer the butter to a bowl and stir in the remaining 4 tbsp of butter until it’s fully melted.
  • Mix the wet ingredients. Add both sugars, salt and vanilla to a stand mixer. Beat in the butter until well incorporated. Then, add the egg and egg yolk, mixing until totally smooth.Let it stand for 3 minutes, then beat on high for 30 seconds. Repeat this process two more times until it’s thick and smooth.
  • Make the dough. Stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined. Use your hands to gently fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Bake. Use a cookie scoop to place the dough onto a prepared cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  • Let cool. Let the baked cookies sit on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling. Sprinkle with sea salt.
cookies are cooling on a wire rack

FAQs

what does browning butter do to cookies?

Brown butter gives chocolate chip cookies deliciously nutty quality. They always turn out so soft and chewy!

do i need to chill the dough?

Nope! The cookie dough is ready to go into the oven just the way it is, no need to chill it first.

can i make the dough in advance?

Sure thing! Make sure the dough is stored in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days prior to baking. Resist the urge to eat it!

several chocolate chip cookies are on a round plate

Storage Instructions

Once the cookies have completely cooled to room temperature, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

5 from 4 votes

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Once you make these soft, chewy, crispy-edged cookies, you'll never make them any other way. Plus, they smell so heavenly from the nutty brown butter!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients 

  • 1 ¾ cup (219 g) unbleached all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 14 tablespoons (196 g) unsalted butter, divided
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (165 g) dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 cup (180 g) dark chocolate chips
  • Maldon sea salt flakes, for topping

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375 °F (191 °C) and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • Whisk the flour and baking soda together in a medium bowl and set aside.
  • In a small skillet over medium high heat, melt 10 tablespoons of butter and continue cooking until the butter is a dark golden brown and has a nutty aroma. This will take about 1-3 minutes, but you'll need to constantly swirl the skillet and watch it otherwise it'll burn!
    butter is being browned in a skillet
  • Transfer the brown butter to a heatproof bowl and then stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter into the hot butter until it's completely melted.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add both sugars, salt and vanilla. Pour in the butter and beat until well incorporated. Add the egg and egg yolk and mix until smooth, with no sugar lumps in it.
  • Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes then beat on high for 30 seconds. Repeat the process of resting and beating 2 more times until the mixture is thick and smooth.
    brown butter is in a glass mixing bowl
  • Stir in the flour mixture until just combined then stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
    cookie dough is in a glass mixing bowl
  • Using a medium sized cookie scoop, scoop dough onto prepared cookie sheet and arrange them about 2 inches apart.
    balls of cookie dough are spread out on a baking sheet
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are crispy and the inside is still soft.
  • Let cookies sit on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Sprinkle sea salt on top to finish, if desired.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie (37 grams), Calories: 180kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 134mg, Potassium: 72mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 13g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

Photographs by Eat Love Eat

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41 Comments

  1. sally @ sally's baking addiction says:

    Julie! I’ve made the same cookies (using a slightly different cookie base) with brown butter & heath bar toffee pieces. Aren’t they amazing? I am a firm believer in browning butter – i’ve used it so many times and every time i have taste testers ask me what my secret is! It really takes the cookies to a whole other level.

  2. Rachel @ Bakerita says:

    Mmmm…I would swim in brown butter if I could. That stuff is heaven! This sounds like a brown-butterified version of my favorite cookie in my school’s dining hall, mm! Looks delightful.

  3. Anna @ hiddenponies says:

    So funny, I made brown butter cookies yesterday and it was my first brown butter experience too – and yup, it was a good one :)

  4. Kim says:

    OK I have NEVER heard of brown butter, but I have to make these cookies now after reading all these posts. So what is it, do you make it? buy it?????????????????????? Thanks

    1. Julie says:

      If you read the recipe, instructions on how to make brown butter is in there.

  5. Villy @ For the love of Feeding says:

    I’ll take a dozen of those, thank you. :)

  6. Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says:

    You make some pretty awesome cookies! I love toffee and with the brown butter and chocolate chips? Yummy!

  7. Deanna says:

    Basically, if a recipe calls for melted butter, my head automatically changes it to browned butter. Its a fantastic smelling compulsion.

  8. Lynna says:

    i was SO going to make this. been urging myself to & since you`ve posted a recipe for it. gosh, i really need to make it soon, now don`t I? XP

    & i tried brown butter recently too! LOVE IT!!

  9. Nikki says:

    I just can’t get over how beautiful these cookies are!!! I’m making them very soon. :)

  10. Christina @ This Woman Cooks! says:

    I really want to try these! Love brown butter!