These large bakery-style brown butter chocolate chip cookies are sure to put a big smile on your face. Each bite contains a rich toffee flavor, gooey chocolate chips, and crunchy pecans.
If you like chocolate chip cookies with a crisp exterior, chewy center, and toffee-like flavors, then you’re in for a real treat! The trick to this recipe is to transform regular butter into the divine liquified browned butter. After a few extra minutes of heating on the stove, the milk solids develop incredible butterscotch flavors that bake into each bite.
I’ve adapted my chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe to add crunchy pecans and a toffee-like flavor from the brown butter. It’s reminiscent of the classic store-bought Nestle Toll House version that you slice from the tube and pop into the oven, but way better!
Mix the dry ingredients
All-purpose flour is used to add structure to the cookies. It contains 10 to 13% protein, giving just the right amount of chew but not tough. A small amount of baking soda encourages spread for crisp edges and a deep golden brown hue. Whisk them together to disperse the fine granules evenly.
Making browned butter
Milk solids in butter begin to turn a golden brown over high heat. The process creates brown bits with the most amazing nutty aromas and flavors. Compared to just using regular softened butter in the batter, brown butter further enhances the taste of the cookies. It reminds me of fresh peanut brittle. Smells so good!
Adding a little bit of cold butter to the hot browned butter helps to cool it down and slows the browning process quickly. This is the crucial step in the recipe, so don’t skip it. However, keep an eye out, and remove it from the heat when ready. You don’t want charred bits!
How do these cookies get so crisp and chewy?
Why are these the best brown butter chocolate chip cookies? It comes down to the combination of ingredients. White granulated sugar adds crispiness, while dark brown sugar adds chew.
Brown sugar tends to stay moist and likes to hold onto water which helps to add softness to the middle of the cookie. Melted butter also adds some chew because the fat crystals change shape and add to the dense texture.
Dissolve the sugar in the butter
The warm browned butter is mixed with the granulated sugar and brown sugar. This dissolves the granules, making it easier to break down into simple sugars in the oven. The sugars will caramelize in a shorter time when baking at lower temperatures. It creates crispy edges with soft centers if done correctly. The texture on the surface also becomes more crackly for contrast.
Mix longer for better texture and flavor
There are multiple whisking and waiting steps when incorporating the butter, sugar, and eggs. The process is essential because it allows the sugars to dissolve slowly into the liquid from the eggs and butter. This process repeats a total of four times. This helps the sugars fully dissolve and emulsify the butter with the eggs. The mixture should look shiny and thick.
Make the cookie dough
Add the flour mixture to creamed butter mixture. Mix enough to hydrate the flour and encourage gluten formation for a chewy texture, but don’t overmix! Stir in semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped pecans.
Alternatively, use your favorite types of chocolate chips or chunks like dark, milk, white, or even butterscotch chips. Chopped walnuts, almonds, or peanuts as a delicious substitute.
Chill the dough
The dough is briefly chilled in this recipe to help shape the cookie and allow the flavors to disperse. Refrigerate or freeze the dough until it feels firm, between 65 to 70ºF (18 to 21ºC). This chill time will be about 15 to 30 minutes. The dough should not feel overly sticky, signaling the flour is adequately hydrated.
The trick to a prettier appearance
Most of the time, we tend to roll the dough into a ball, set it on a baking sheet, and place it in the oven. The problem is that the chocolate chips sink into the middle of the dough and won’t break the surface once baked.
Here’s an easy technique I learned in culinary school to get a more natural surface with lots of exposed chips. As you roll each dough ball, break it apart in half, and recombine the smoother pieces together. You’ll get more exposed chocolate chips on the cookie.
Bake time
Place the shaped cookie dough on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, eight on the pan. At 375 degrees, it takes about 10 to 12 minutes to bake the cookies. They are done when the centers are puffy and slightly underdone and the edges are set. Don’t let them sit on the baking sheet for longer than 5 minutes.
The addition of the browned butter and dissolved sugars brown the cookies faster. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely or to room temperature. However, it’s hard for my family not to eat them while they are still warm!
Additional mix-ins
- Sprinkle sea salt on top before baking
- Add chopped walnuts, peanuts, or almonds
- Add chocolate chunks, dark chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips
More holiday cookies
Frequently asked questions
Making brown butter, or beurre noisette, is a method that toasts the milk solids in butter. This creates sweet aromatic compounds and develops a butterscotch flavor. This ingredient adds a toffee-like flavor and deeper golden brown color to cookies.
The butter was not adequately incorporated into the eggs. If the butter fat is not emulsified with the eggs, it can cause the fat to rise to the surface and bottom of the cookie. My method thoroughly mixes the two. Also, ensure you are weighing out the right amount of flour to help absorb the fat.
Brown butter can be easily substituted for any cookie recipe that calls for melted butter. If the recipe requires softened butter, brown the butter, then chill until solidified. This gives the cookie structure, a deeper golden color and a toffee flavor.
Recipe Science
Browning butter happens very quickly!
The method of browning butter is called beurre noisette (aka hazelnut butter), and it happens in less than 5 minutes. You can quickly smell this aroma as the milk solids heat up in the pan. Watch closely for the change in appearance from a bright yellow to an amber color. The butter can quickly burn off if not closely monitored.
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, unbleached
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup pecans, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Ingredients – Whisk flour and baking soda together in a medium bowl, and set aside.
- Brown the Butter – Cut the butter into 14 even-sized pieces. In a medium skillet, melt 10 tablespoons of butter over medium heat, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until golden brown and a nutty aroma forms, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat. Stir the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter into warm butter until completely melted.
- Mix the Butter and Sugars – In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the browned butter to the mixing bowl. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla. Whisk on medium speed (setting 5) until combined, 30 seconds.
- Whisk and Rest – Add the whole egg and yolk to the mixing bowl. Whisk on medium-high speed (setting 8) until smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes.Repeat the whisking and resting process 3 more times: 30 seconds mixing at medium-high speed and 3 minutes of rest. After four total times, the mixture should be thick, smooth, and shiny.
- Add the Flour, Chocolate, and Nuts – Using a rubber spatula, stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Stir in 1 ¼ cups chocolate chips and pecans, and ensure no flour pockets remain.
- Chill the Dough – Transfer the mixing bowl to the refrigerator or freezer. Chill until the dough firms up, around 65 to 70ºF (18 to 21ºC), about 15 to 30 minutes. The dough should not feel overly sticky.
- Preheat the Oven – Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat to 375°F (191ºC).
- Roll Out Dough Balls – Divide the dough into 16 portions, each about 3 tablespoons (about 60 grams, 2 ounces), and roll into a ball. If the dough starts to warm and get sticky, place it on a sheet tray and refrigerate for 15 minutes.For a rustic appearance, tear the dough balls in half, then press the two halves together again with the lumpy torn sides facing upward to expose the chips. Shape the sides of the dough back into a circle. If desired, use the remaining ¼ cup of chocolate chips and press some on top.Arrange dough balls at least 2" apart on lined baking sheets, 8 portions per tray. Smaller baking sheets can be used but will require baking in 3 batches. The dough should be room temperature or just below for even cooking, around 65 to 70ºF (18 to 21ºC).
- Bake the Cookies – Bake one tray at a time in the center position. Bake for 5 minutes, then rotate the baking sheet. Continue to bake until the cookie edges are golden brown and the centers look slightly underdone, about 5 to 7 minutes. The color will continue to darken during cooling.
- Let Them Cool – Leave the cookies on the baking sheet to cool for 3 to 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Make sure the oven returns to 375°F (191ºC) before baking the remaining tray.
Equipment
Notes
- Salt Substitution: Use ¾ teaspoon table salt for kosher salt.
- Make Ahead: Refrigerate dough balls for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Storing: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Store in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container for up to 1 month.
- Recipe Adapted From: Cook’s Illustrated
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Maria Pangelinan says
I did make this and they are absolutely delicious and my Grandkids just can’t get enough. Thank you Jessica for sharing your amazing recipe.
Sheri B. says
Hi,
Is there anyway using margarine would have the same effect? (Because I am Lactose intolerant.)
And Can I use sea salt? (as my son has high blood pressure. )
Cathy says
Jessica, this is my family’s fave chocolate chip cookie recipe. The best part is that I get to make them with my son. He loves melting the butter. Thanks, we love your recipes!
Jessica Gavin says
I love that the whole family gets to make the cookies together, that’s the best part! Great job!
Susan Mathias says
I love this recipe and my results were excellent as verified by my cookie loving husband! This is the second time I’ve ever made a dessert with browned butter and I found your directions very easy to follow. When I got to the 3 minute pauses while whisking the sugar/butter/egg mixture I used the time to get ahead on my clean up process. I loved your notes about breaking the cookie dough ball in half to expose the rustic surfaces! It really made a difference on the tops of my cookies. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!
Jessica Gavin says
Yay! I love that you cleaned up in between, my friend told me he does the same! Glad your family enjoyed the cookies!
Adenia says
My daughter insisted that I comment and write “my kid liked it.” If that’s not a stamp of approval, I don’t know what is… I left out pecans because of allergies. Otherwise, I followed the recipe exactly for the first 8 cookies and they came out perfect. When I was rotating the baking sheet for that first batch, I noticed that the cookies were looking like ice cream scoops (flat around and a mound in the middle) so I quickly flattened the cookie dough for second batch of 8 cookies as recommended in the comments. I didn’t need to – the first 8 cookies came out perfect. The mound sunk down and the cookies were perfectly uniform and crispy on the outside and chewy, toffee-like on the inside. The second batch are flatter and not as chewy in the middle. If I make them again, I will stick with recipe!
Jessica Gavin says
Hi-five! Such a win when the kiddos enjoy the recipe, especially chocolate chip cookies! I appreciate your feedback on pressing down the centers, great observation on texture!
Tee says
Hi! I’ve tried this recipe and has been the best out of all the recipes I tried! Though the only dilemma I get is thay my cookies are too greasy/oily even though I followed your exact recipe. Any tips how to improve my cookies? Thanks!
Jessica Gavin says
Are you melting the butter, making sure it’s not too hot? Letting the batter chill before baking?
Jordan says
These cookies are absolutely divine. One of our favorite recipes ever! We usually double the size of the cookie and bake them a little longer so they are even more decadent.
Jessica Gavin says
Wow, how big do the cookies get when you double the size? How long do you bake it for, I’d love to try it!
catherine says
Thank you for weights since I usually weigh ingredients for accuracy especially flour and sugar.
I use grams but ounces will do.
Jessica Gavin says
No problem! I always include weights so there is not weight fluctuation, especially when weighing the flour.
Monika Russell says
These were absolutely the BEST cookies I have ever made! Although the process took longer than normal for a batch of cookies….so worth it! Thank you! I will be making these again soon!
Ericka Betts says
This my second time making this cookie! They are amazing! I didn’t chill 3 times. Only twice and they still turned out perfect!
Jessica Gavin says
Thanks for your feedback Ericka! I love this recipe 🙂
Dionne Celestine says
I made these cookies and they tasted awesome but they didn’t spread. They big thick clumps, the baking soda was good & evenly distributed, please advise
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Dionne- What type of baking sheet did you use? Sometimes the dark nonstick can prevent spreading. Also if the cookies are too cold that can reduce spreading. If too much flour was added or not enough butter, that may also affect spread. Did you bake on a sheet pan that was room temp or cold? Does you oven run hot? That may set the outside of the cookie too quickly. You could also try press the cookie a little to help with spread if they stay stiff.