Alright, folks, gather round! It’s time to whip up a batch of these legendary BROWN BUTTER COOKIES that will have your taste buds doing the cha-cha-cha. 🕺 I’m talking about a cookie so decadent, so dreamy, that it might as well be illegal. And let me tell you, if this doesn’t fix your mood, you might as well call in a professional (a therapist or a pizza delivery person, your choice 🍕). So, let’s get our aprons on and get ready to bake up a storm – these cookies are about to become your new best friends!
Why You’ll Love This BROWN BUTTER COOKIES

First of all, let’s talk about the star of the show: the BROWN BUTTER. 🧈 This magical ingredient takes these cookies to a whole new level of deliciousness. It adds a rich, nutty, and absolutely irresistible flavor that will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about cookies. And the best part? It’s super easy to make! (If you’re curious about mastering the perfect brown butter technique, this brown butter baking guide from Sally’s Baking Addiction is a great deep dive.)
Secondly, these cookies are the perfect balance of crispy edges and soft, chewy centers. 🤤 It’s like a hug for your taste buds, and trust me, you’re going to want to hug these cookies back. (Maybe a little too tightly, but who’s counting?) And let’s not forget the classic flavors of vanilla and a pinch of salt that bring it all together. It’s like a symphony of flavor, and you’re the lucky audience. 🎶
Get ready to take a bow, because these cookies are about to steal the show.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Alright, let’s gather up the all-stars that are going to make these BROWN BUTTER COOKIES an absolute knockout. 💥 You’ll need unsalted butter (because we’re going to be doing some magic with it), granulated sugar, brown sugar (the secret to extra chewiness), an egg, vanilla extract (the flavor MVP), and of course, some good old-fashioned all-purpose flour. Oh, and let’s not forget a sprinkle of salt – because, you know, balance and all that. 🧂 Trust me, this simple lineup is about to create cookie fireworks in your mouth. 🎆
- 1 cup (2 sticks) — Unsalted butter
- 1 cup — Granulated sugar
- 1 cup — Brown sugar
- 1 large — Egg
- 2 tsp — Vanilla extract
Ingredient Swaps (No Panic Allowed)
- None needed! This recipe is a classic and doesn’t require any substitutions. Just gather up the ingredients and let’s get baking! ✅
How to Make BROWN BUTTER COOKIES (Step-by-Step)
Okay, listen up, because this is where the real fun begins. We’re about to take these cookies on a journey of flavor that will leave you wondering how you ever lived without them.
Step 1: [Prep Work]
First things first, let’s get the oven preheated to a toasty 375°F (190°C). 🔥 While that’s happening, we’re going to take that beautiful block of butter and turn it into something even more magical – brown butter. In a light-colored saucepan (so you can see the color changes), melt the butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Keep a close eye on it, because you want to stop the browning process just before it reaches the point of burning. 🔍 Once the butter starts foaming and you see those delicious browned bits starting to form, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. Now, grab a couple of baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. We’re going to need those in a bit. 👩🍳
Step 2: [Main Cooking Process]
In a large mixing bowl, let’s combine the cooled brown butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. 🥣 Mix them together until they’re light and fluffy – like a little dance party for your ingredients. Next, crack in the egg and add the vanilla extract. Give it a good stir until everything is evenly incorporated. Now, it’s time to bring in the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt. Gently fold them in, being careful not to overmix. We want these cookies to be soft and tender, not tough and sad. 😢
Step 3: [Final Steps/Assembly]
Alright, now for the fun part! Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave a little space between each cookie. 🍪 You can use a cookie scoop or just spoon them out – whatever works for you. Pop those beauties into the preheated oven and let them work their magic for 10-12 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, because we want them to be golden brown and perfectly baked, not burnt to a crisp (unless that’s your thing, in which case, call the fire department 🚒).
Step 4: [Finishing Touches]
Once they’re out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. 🥤 This will help them keep their shape and texture. Now, the most important part – try not to eat them all in one sitting! 😋 These cookies are meant to be savored and shared (unless you’re in a particularly “treat yo’ self” kind of mood, in which case, go for it!).
How to Know It’s Done (No Guessing)

Alright, let’s talk about how to know when these BROWN BUTTER COOKIES are perfectly baked and ready to be devoured.
Look for
- Edges that are golden brown and slightly crisp
- Centers that are soft and chewy, with a slightly puffed-up appearance
- A delicious, nutty aroma wafting through your kitchen (your neighbors might come knocking!)
Avoid
- Cookies that are overly dark or burnt around the edges
- Doughy, uncooked centers that don’t hold their shape
If it’s too… here’s the fix
- Too salty — Try adding a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.
- Too dry — Add a tablespoon or two of milk to the dough and give it a good mix.
Optional temp note (only if it makes sense): Not needed here — visual cues are enough.
What to Do If It Goes Wrong (Fix-It Guide)
Okay, let’s be real – sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned in the kitchen. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back!
- Too salty — Try adding a sprinkle of sugar to the dough to help balance out the flavors.
- Too dry — Simply add a tablespoon or two of milk and mix it in gently. That should bring back the perfect soft and chewy texture.
- Too runny — Not applicable for this recipe.
- Not browning — Try increasing the oven temperature by 10-15°F (5-8°C). That should give them that gorgeous golden color we’re going for.
Good news: almost everything is fixable. Panic is optional. 😌
Recipe Variations & Tips (Tiny Checklist, Big Energy)
Before you freestyle: run this quick checklist like a kitchen boss.
- Add nuts — Try adding some chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and nuttiness. ✅
- Drizzle with chocolate — For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle the baked cookies with melted chocolate. ✅
- Switch up the extracts — Swap out the vanilla for almond extract or a splash of bourbon for a fun twist. 🎉
- Mix in extras — Fold in some chopped dried cherries or mini chocolate chips for pops of flavor. 🚀
Warning: This may cause sudden happiness and suspicious silence at the dinner table. Proceed responsibly. 😅
Serving & Storage
| Topic | Notes |
|---|---|
| Best Serving Ideas | Serve these BROWN BUTTER COOKIES warm, with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate comfort food experience. 🥛 |
| Fridge Storage | Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. |
| Freezer Storage | Freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. |
| Reheating | For a warm, gooey cookie, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before enjoying. |
Nutrition Notes
Alright, let’s talk about the nutritional stats on these BROWN BUTTER COOKIES. 📋 I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, “Who cares about nutrition when there are cookies involved?” But hear me out – these babies are actually not too shabby in the health department.
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Protein: 2 g
- Carbs: 20 g
- Fat: 8 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
BROWN BUTTER COOKIES 🍯
These Brown Butter Cookies are rich, chewy, and packed with flavor! The nutty aroma of browned butter combined with chocolate chunks makes for a delightful treat.
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chocolate chunks
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the brown butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract; mix until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chunks.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
For best results, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. You can also use a mix of chocolate chips and chunks for added texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Chicken Dinners & Wings 🍗
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: cookies, dessert, brown butter, chocolate
Quick Questions People Always Ask
The key to epic brown butter is to cook it slowly over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a rich, nutty aroma and the color is a deep golden brown. Be careful not to let it burn!
You can, but I’d recommend sticking with unsalted butter for this recipe. That way, you have more control over the amount of salt in the final cookies. Salted butter can sometimes make the cookies taste a little unbalanced.
The secret is in the combination of brown sugar and just the right amount of baking time. The brown sugar helps keep the centers nice and soft, while the short baking time (10-12 minutes) ensures they don’t dry out.
Absolutely! The dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature before scooping and baking. This is a great way to get a head start on your cookie baking.
If your cookies are spreading too much, it could be because the dough was overworked or the butter wasn’t cooled enough before baking. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before scooping, and be gentle when mixing the ingredients.