This recipe is a must for anyone who wants the perfect cookie texture: crisp on the edges, soft and chewy in the center, with just the right balance of sweet and salty. It’s the kind of cookie that disappears off the tray before it’s even cooled, and once you make them, you’ll never go back to plain butter again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This isn’t just another chocolate chip cookie. This is the brown butter cookie you’ll make on repeat. Here’s why:

• Browning the butter adds deep, toasty, caramelized flavor that’s impossible to fake.
• Chill time = optional (though highly recommended for better texture and flavor).
• Soft centers and crisp edges—exactly how a chocolate chip cookie should be.
• Just one bowl, no mixer required, and pantry-friendly ingredients.
• Customizable with your favorite mix-ins—chopped chocolate, nuts, or sea salt flakes.

What Is Brown Butter?

Brown butter (also known as beurre noisette) is regular unsalted butter that’s been gently cooked until the milk solids turn golden brown. It has a warm, nutty aroma and a deeper flavor than plain butter—think toasted hazelnut meets caramel.

Browning the butter removes excess water and intensifies its richness, making it perfect for cookies. It gives your dough a deeper color, a more complex taste, and an irresistible aroma while baking.

If you’ve never browned butter before, don’t worry—it’s easy. All it takes is a few minutes, a saucepan, and your eyes (and nose).

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a quick look at what goes into these cookies, with notes on what each ingredient brings to the table:

Brown Butter

The star of the show. Adds nutty, rich depth. Let it cool slightly before mixing.

Brown Sugar

Keeps the cookies soft and chewy while complementing the toasted butter with molasses-y warmth.

Granulated Sugar

Adds structure and sweetness, helping the edges get that perfect crisp.

Egg

Just one egg is all you need to bind everything together and add moisture.

Vanilla Extract or Paste

A full teaspoon (or more) brings out the cookie flavor and pairs beautifully with the brown butter.

All-Purpose Flour

The base of the dough. You can spoon and level or weigh for accuracy.

Baking Soda

Gives the cookies lift and a soft, tender texture.

Salt

Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors—don’t skip it.

Chocolate Chips or Chunks

Use what you love—semisweet chips, dark chunks, chopped bars, or even a mix. The melty puddles are part of the magic.

Optional: Flaky sea salt for finishing (highly recommended).

Step-by-Step: How to Make Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Brown the Butter

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. It will foam, then turn golden with little brown bits at the bottom. Remove from heat once it smells nutty and fragrant. Pour into a mixing bowl and let cool for 10–15 minutes.

2. Add Sugars and Egg

Whisk in brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, and mix until glossy and fully combined.

3. Fold in Dry Ingredients

Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir just until no streaks of flour remain. Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks.

4. Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes—or up to 24 hours for the best flavor and texture. If short on time, you can bake immediately, but chilling prevents spreading and gives thicker cookies.

5. Scoop and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop the dough into balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and place a few inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers look slightly underdone.

6. Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies cool on the pan for 5–10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Sprinkle with flaky salt, if using. Serve warm or store for later (they reheat beautifully).

Tips for Perfect Cookies Every Time

• Use real unsalted butter and don’t walk away while it browns—watch for the color shift and nutty aroma.
• Let the butter cool before adding sugars and egg to prevent scrambling.
• Don’t overmix the dough after adding flour—it can make the cookies tough.
• Chilling helps, especially if you want thicker, puffier cookies with deeper flavor.
• Use good chocolate—high-quality bars chopped into chunks give beautiful pools of melty chocolate.

Variations & Add-Ins

Feel free to personalize your brown butter cookie game:

• Add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
• Use milk chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks.
• Swap a bit of the flour for finely ground oats.
• Add a spoonful of espresso powder for a mocha twist.
• Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to elevate every bite.

Storage & Freezing

These cookies stay soft and chewy for days!

To store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

To freeze dough: Scoop into balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Transfer to a zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen—just add 1–2 minutes to the baking time.

To freeze baked cookies: Let cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container. Reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked texture.

FAQs

Do I have to chill the dough?

Nope! But chilling gives the flour time to hydrate and helps the cookies bake up thicker with more concentrated flavor.

Can I use salted butter?

Yes, just reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! Store the dough in the fridge for up to 48 hours or freeze it in scooped portions for whenever the craving strikes.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

Take them out when the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll continue to set as they cool on the pan.

Final Thoughts

These brown butter chocolate chip cookies are everything a cookie should be—chewy, flavorful, and packed with gooey chocolate. The browned butter brings out a next-level depth that makes every bite feel cozy and indulgent. Whether you bake them on a lazy weekend, for a cookie exchange, or just because you need something sweet, this recipe delivers every single time.

Scroll down for the full recipe and instructions—and don’t forget to save or pin it for later!