DishGal
Find dinner
Brown butter chocolate chip cookies with flaky salt

Dessert

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Crisp rims, chewy centers, puddles of chocolate, and a deep toasted-butter flavor that earns the extra five minutes.

Developed for DishGal · Updated 2026-08-17

Prep20 min
Cook12 min
Total32 min
Cost$0.72

Directions

  1. Brown the butter

    Melt butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium. Cook, swirling, until milk solids turn amber and smell nutty. Pour into a large bowl and cool 10 minutes.

  2. Mix wet ingredients

    Whisk brown sugar and granulated sugar into butter. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

  3. Add dry ingredients

    Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt separately. Fold into wet ingredients until a few flour streaks remain, then fold in chocolate.

  4. Chill

    Cover and chill dough at least 30 minutes. Heat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets.

  5. Bake

    Scoop 2-tablespoon balls 2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until edges set and centers look underdone. Finish with flaky salt and cool on the pan 8 minutes.

Why this works

Why it worksBrown butter adds toasted milk-solid flavor without extra ingredients.
Why it worksDark brown sugar increases chewiness.
Why it worksPulling cookies while centers look soft prevents dry results.

Swaps & notes

Easy swaps

  • Use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or a mixture.
  • Add 1 cup toasted walnuts or pecans.
  • For thicker cookies, chill dough overnight.

Cook notes

  • A light pan helps you see butter solids change color.
  • Cool browned butter before adding eggs so they do not scramble.

Storage

Store airtight 4 days. Freeze dough balls up to 3 months and bake from frozen, adding 2 to 3 minutes.

Questions

Do I need to chill the dough?

Yes. Warm brown butter makes dough spread too quickly.

Why are my cookies greasy?

The butter was too warm or the flour was under-measured. Weighing flour gives the most reliable result.

Can I use salted butter?

Yes. Reduce added salt to 1/4 teaspoon.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Screen stays awake when supported.
1. Brown the butterMelt butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium. Cook, swirling, until milk solids turn amber and smell nutty. Pour into a large bowl and cool 10 minutes.
2. Mix wet ingredientsWhisk brown sugar and granulated sugar into butter. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
3. Add dry ingredientsWhisk flour, baking soda, and salt separately. Fold into wet ingredients until a few flour streaks remain, then fold in chocolate.
4. ChillCover and chill dough at least 30 minutes. Heat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets.
5. BakeScoop 2-tablespoon balls 2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until edges set and centers look underdone. Finish with flaky salt and cool on the pan 8 minutes.