These brown butter chocolate chip cookies are bakery style chewy cookies! These cookies are chewy with crisp edges and two types of chocolate chips. These are the perfect upgrade to a simple chocolate chip cookie.
These brown butter chocolate chip cookies are even better than the classic chocolate chip cookie. The brown butter takes them to a whole new level.
The brown butter adds a gourmet flavor and a nutty aroma to the cookies. If you are looking for a richer cookie, these are for you! They are the best cookies!
If you are looking for more brown butter recipes, try Brown Butter Brookie Bars, Brown Butter Carrot Cake, and Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
Why You Will Love This Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
- Chewy cookies- These cookies are super chewy and large. They will still have the crispy edge.
- Brown butter- The brown butter get melted, then solidifies. There will be little brown bits in the butter. This will act like regular sticks of butter.
- Chocolate chips- These cookies uses both regular chocolate chips and mini chocolate chips.
- Easy dessert- This recipe is very easy to make. They do require you make the brown butter ahead of time.
Ingredient Notes for Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Unsalted butter- The butter gets melted and placed in the fridge overnight to solidify. Then, pull it back out to room temperature. This process lets us cream the butter or a more chewy cookie.
- Brown sugar- I used light brown sugar. You can use dark brown sugar.
- Eggs- Pull these out 2 hours before baking.
- Chocolate chips- You can use semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips. The mini chocolate chips are optional, but they add extra to the cookie. I don't recommend milk chocolate chips because they are too sweet.
- Cornstarch- This gives the cookies are more chewy taste and flavor. It helps to break down the gluten strands.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Dairy free- You can use your favorite dairy free options for this recipe!
- Gluten free- I haven't tested this gluten free. Let me know if you do.
- You can use any chocolate chips you wish!
- You can also also use tapioca flour instead of corn starch.
Step By Step Recipe Video
Step By Step Instructions- Brown Butter
Here is how to make and bake these chewy chocolate chip cookies.
STEP 1: Brown the butter. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir the butter until the milk deposits separate and turn amber.
During the browning process, first it will get foamy and bubbly. Once the milk solids separate, it will turn amber very quickly.
STEP 2: Chill the browned butter. Place the browned butter in the fridge to solidify like a stick of butter. Then, pull it out to get room temperature (2 hours before baking).
Step By Step Instructions- Cookie Dough
STEP 1: Beat the butter and sugars. Cream the butter, brown sugar, and white granulated sugar. Beat these on high in a large bowl. You can make these in the bowl of a stand mixer or an electric mixer (hand mixer).
STEP 2: Add in wet ingredients. Next, add in the vanilla extract and eggs. Beat these on medium speed until it is creamy. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl.
STEP 3: Mix the dry ingredients. Now, sift the flour in a medium bowl. Add in baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.
STEP 4: Add in the flour mixture. Mix in the dry ingredients on low speed. Then, add in the chocolate chips.
STEP 5: Chill the cookie dough. Chill the dough for 30 minutes. This will allow the butter to solidify in the fridge. this leads to less spreading.
STEP 6: Scoop the dough. Use a large cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough balls. Bake 6 cookie dough balls per cookie sheet.
STEP 7: Bake the cookies. Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes. They should be slightly underdone in the middle and golden brown on the edges. They will finish baking as they cool.
Top the cookies with extra chocolate chips and flaky salt. Cool the cookies on a cooling rack.
Can I Use Regular Butter?
Yes you can, they will just have a less nutty flavor. Use 1 cup of stick butter. Pull that out 2 hours before baking. Then, bake the cookies like normal.
They will still make the best chocolate chip cookies.
Expert Baking Tips
If the browned butter is still warm or not all the way solid before baking, it will lead to spreading.
Here are two tips to prevent spreading.
- Chill the dough. The dough needs to be chilled before baking. The cookie dough balls should be cold when they go in the oven. If they aren't chilled, they will lead to spreading.
- Bake the cookies on cookie sheets. The cookie sheets needs to be lined with parchment paper on the bottom of the pan. The parchment paper is what leads to less spreading.
FAQ
Yes they can! Store in an airtight container. Bake the cookies directly from frozen. They won't spread as much and take a few extra minutes to bake.
This is because you probably over measured/ compacted your flour. The flour needs to be spooned and leveled. Sticking the measuring cup directly in the flour to scoop will lead to compacted flour.
Yes you can. Bake these for 8-11 minutes. However, they won't be as chewy since they will be smaller.
Special Tools
- Parchment paper: I use premade sheets of parchment paper vs the roll of parchment paper. It makes baking a lot easier!
- Large cookie scoop: I love this OXO cookie scoop.
Storing and Freezing
Store these brown butter chocolates chip cookies in an airtight container. Store for 5 days at room temperature.
Freezing
Freeze the baked cookies by wrapping in plastic wrap and storing in an airtight container. Freeze up to 30 days. Pull them out for 1 hour to thaw.
My Other Favorite Cookie Recipes To Try
Try These Cookies
- Butterscotch chocolate chip cookies
- Chocolate caramel cookies
- Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies
- Brookies
- Nutella cookies
Make sure to leave me a star review below!
Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. I hope you loved it! To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.
📖 Recipe
The Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup Plus 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ cup White granulated sugar
- 1 cup Brown sugar packed light or dark
- 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
- 2 Large eggs room temperature
- 2 ½ cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoon Cornstarch
- 1 ¾ cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup Mini chocolate chips
Instructions
Brown Butter
- Use a large frying pan (between 10-12 inches) on medium heat, start melting the butter. The larger the frying pan, the quicker the butter will brown. If you do use a smaller pan it will take 5-10 minutes longer to brown.
- Once the butter is melted, whisk occasionally until the butter starts to foam. It will take 5-10 minutes to get the butter to start to foam. Once it does, whisk continuously because it will be hard to see what is happening underneath it.
- Once it starts to foam, there will be milk solids that will sink to the bottom. Those milk solids will start to turn a light brown after 1 minute. Heat until the milk solids are amber in color, then take off heat.
- Pour the butter into a glass measuring cup (or a thick glass jar). Make sure to scrape all the brown bits into the cup, that is where the flavor is! There should be exactly 1 cup of brown butter. The extra 2 tablespoon will evaporate as the butter cooks.
- Cover the glass measuring cup with cling wrap, and place in the fridge. Chill overnight or until super solid. Before baking, let the butter sit on the counter for 2 hours. It should be soft like regular room temperature butter. If it is still hard, place butter on a plate and heat each side for 10 seconds in the microwave.
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Use a mixer, and beat the brown butter, sugar, and brown sugar on high speed for 2 minutes. The butter should be light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and mix until combined. Add in eggs one at a time. Mix until combined.
- Slowly add in the dry ingredients on low. Mix until combined. Add in semi-sweet chocolate chips and mini chocolate chips and mix on low for 10-15 seconds. Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Use a large ice cream scoop (3 oz) and scoop the cookie dough. Compact the dough into the scoop and then place on cookie sheet. Don't try to manipulate the dough because we want the nice ripples on the cookie dough ball. Place the cookie dough 3 inches apart on the cookie sheet. I usually do 6 cookies per cookie sheet.
- Preheat oven to 350F, and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. While waiting for the oven to preheat, place first batch of cookie dough balls in the freezer to get really cold. The rest of the cookie dough balls should be in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Bake the cookies 13-15 minutes until lightly golden brown on the edges and on top. Let the cookies sit on the pan for 4 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Ashley says
I made this a few times. The first two times using the US measurements. It was PERFECT! The next batch I tripled the recipe and used the metric measurements so I could easily weigh my ingredients on a kitchen scale and the dough seemed more wet than the first batch. And when baked it definitely spread more and didn’t hold its shape.
Oriana says
hello! I am from Uruguay, I have a little business and my clients love carrot cake cookies😍 Thank you very much for sharing your recipes, and on the other hand I wanted to ask you what it would be the amount of baking soda and cornstarch in grams
Maya says
These cookies were so delicious!!! I wanted to make them in one day so I didn’t let the butter cool over night and instead let them sit in the fridge for about 4-5 hours. The butter had hardened to the original consistency of butter though. Personally I had to bake the cookies for 20 minutes because they were still raw at 15 minutes. This recipe was easier then I thought it would be and I’ll definitely make them again.
Steven says
I made these cookie this past weekend and followed every step precisely. I browned the butter, put it in the fridge overnight, set it out on the counter to soften for a few hours. I measured the flour, used room-temp eggs. I chilled the dough for an hour, scooped and put in freezer while oven preheated, and used parchment paper. After all of this, the cookies spread and definitely weren't as cakey as the pictures show. What would I be doing wrong? The only thing I can think of is maybe after my butter browned I had more than a cup? I didn't measure again after I browned it, I just assumed it was a cup. I made another round of brown butter last night, measured it, and put it in the fridge, I plan to attempt these cookies again this week...I just want them to be fluffier! Maybe I add more flour? They taste delicious though, so that is why I won't give up!
Stephanie Rutherford says
Hello!
So if you have more than 1 cup of browned butter, that is too much butter will cause extra spread. So make sure it is just 1 cup! You can also add an extra Tablespoon of flour per cup of flour and that will help too!
Steven says
Thank you, Stephanie! I appreciate the guidance. I will definitely make sure the butter is exactly 1 Cup, plus add a little flour.
Steven says
Hi Stephanie!
I just wanted to come back and tell you that the second time I made them they turned out perfect! I do think measuring the butter after it's browned to make sure it's exactly 1 cup was super helpful! Also, I did add an extra tablespoon of flour. I plan to make these for the 4th of July. Thank you again for your response and help!
Stephanie Rutherford says
This is the best news! I am so glad they turned out well for you!!
Ashley says
These cookies are Heaven! I have been on the search for a perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe (preferably brown butter) and I scored twice! Super easy recipe to follow (with step by step directions). They turned out so good! Thank you for sharing!!!
Lisa says
These were wonderful! Do need a clarification though on baking the cookies after they have been frozen....
In one spot you say to bake the cookie dough balls right from the freezer to avoid spreading. Then in another spot you state to allow them to thaw prior to baking. I guess I could have tried both ways but I didn't want the possibility of "sacrificing" a batch so I thought I would just ask (in case other readers are wondering also!)
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
"Elle" Norris
Phoenix, Arizona
Stephanie Rutherford says
So they should be cold (10 mins in the freezer), but the cookie dough thats been in the freezer, is too cold which is why it needs a bit of thawing.
Randi says
Great recipe and tips! Followed the recipe, browned the butter, refrigerated overnight. Used dark brown sugar and refrigerated/froze the dough. Baked 14 min, sprinkled sea salt, let them sit on the rack for 4+ min, moved to a cooling rack. They came great!
Toni says
Definitely a notch up from your average chocolate chip cookies. The only draw back is they can’t be made at the last minute since you have to brown the butter the day before. Just plan ahead and you’ll be glad you did!
Dori says
These are AMAZING. The brown butter adds just that extra something to the cookies. They are my go to now and the tray is always empty when it’s time to go.
Rebecca says
Sooooo delicious, perfectly chocolatey and chewy. My favorite cookie recipe.
Allison says
So good!!!! Especially when they’re still warm the chocolate just melts in your mouth
Ila says
These cookies are delicious!! The perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe, and the addition of brown butter really takes it to the next level! I highly recommend this recipe to everyone, as it's definitely one of the best cookies you'll ever make 💗
Very Amateur Baker says
These are too good!!!! My new go-to recipe. The browned butter is worth the extra effort - double the recipe and freeze some dough for future instant gratification.
Lauren says
My only suggestion is that prep time should include making the brown butter overnight. I probably do it wrong, but I look at ingredients and prep time/ cook time when I’m at the grocery store. I really wanted to make these on short notice for a cookout that I’m going to today. Should be awesome though!
Aldale says
Not sure how this recipe doesn't have more reviews. I made this and my dad who HATES chocolate chip cookies....HAD TWO! He actually liked them. So this is definitely a keeper!
Stephanie Rutherford says
I am so glad you loved this recipe! These cookies are so yummy!
Sahar says
Hi
May i use regular butter?
Stephanie Rutherford says
Yes! Use 1 cup room temperature butter.
Rene says
What does the corn starch do for baking these cookies
Stephanie Rutherford says
The cornstarch helps to break down the gluten in the flour. This gives you a chewier cookie.
Lorna says
These were the bomb! My only change was to chill the dough before baking. This recipe is my new go to.
Ann says
Very straight forward recipe. Making the brown butter really takes no time at all. I actually enjoy that part. Brown butter really sets the chocolate chip cookie recipe over the top!! Highly recommend
Nikki says
I've tried this recipe 3 times and I can't seem to get good results. There is so much butter it's literally oozing puddles out while baking. Thus causing them to spread too much. The edges burn and the center is raw.
I'm going to try one more time and I'll add a considerable amount more flour.
Stephanie Rutherford says
I am sorry to hear that is causing you troubles! Here are a few things that could help
1. If browning the butter, the butter will cook off and when you pour it into the a glass measuring glass it should equal 1 cup. If there is more than that, you only need 1 cup. More butter will cause that problem.
2. Let the butter cool completely in the fridge and then let it come to room temperature. Using warm kinda melty butter will cause the problems you describe. The consistency you want is if you grabbed regular stick butter and then let it come to room temperature for 2 hours. In this case its the brown butter.
3. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. This helps to solidify the butter again, which also helps prevent the spreading.
I hope this helps!
Kelly says
I think she may have thought what I did:
I wanted to double the recipe and that called for 2 cups of butter. You keep saying 1 cup butter which is (perfect for a single batch. )Am I wrong ?
Stephanie Rutherford says
Yes do 2 cups of butter if you are doubling the recipe.
Mary Walker says
Hi. Can this dough be prepared and refrigerated ahead of time?
Stephanie Rutherford says
Yes it can! Store it covered in the fridge. Then, take it out of the fridge 1 1/2- 2 hours before baking because it will be cold and very hard to scoop. Once it gets to be more room temperature, you can bake as normal.