Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
It’s baking season! To me, there's nothing better than a big platter, or pretty box loaded with cookies for the Holidays! It's what I've been giving friends and family for years! And is there anything more classic than a chocolate chip cookie!?
You may not think of chocolate chip as a Christmas cookie, but since it’s one of the most popular cookies in the country - you really can’t go wrong. Of course I added my own spin to this easy cookie recipe. Like browning the butter, using dark brown sugar, and a hefty dose of vanilla bean paste! Then I load them up with walnuts and chocolate chips! All of which is optional.
I like a soft and chewy cookie, so these have more flour in them. If you prefer a crisper cookie, reduce the amount of flour by a quarter of a cup; they’ll spread more on the pan and get crunchier. Like with any recipe I share here; it’s intended as a guideline. I want you to modify the recipe and make it your own! If you have a nut allergy, don’t use them! If you prefer white chips to dark ones - swap ‘em out! Want just the cookie? Don’t use chips at all (I had a childhood friend who used to ask his mom to make chocolate chip cookies with no chips!). It’s ALL you baby!
Check out the video, then try these cookies at home. Include them in a gift with some of my other Christmas cookie recipes, or save them all for yourself to nosh on with some hot cocoa and your favorite holiday movie!
Buon Appetito! Buona Natale!
Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes 24 cookies
1 stick (1/4 lb.) butter
1/2 C. brown sugar (lightly packed)
1 Tbs. vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
1 egg
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/4 C. flour
1/4 C. chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 C. mini dark chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350°.
In a small stainless steel pan (non-stick will work too, just keep a very close eye on it!) add the butter over medium-low heat. Allow to cooking, stirring often until butter turns a golden brown color and gives off a nutty aroma. About 5-8 minutes.
In a large bowl combine browned butter and brown sugar. Mix until smooth. Add in vanilla bean paste. Continue stirring until the mixture cools a bit. About 3-5 minutes.
Add in egg and mix well.
Add baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to the mixture. Slowly mix in flour until a crumbly dough forms.
Fold in walnuts and chocolate chips.
Scoop out about a tablespoon of the dough into your hand. Roll it into about 1 inch ball and place on a cookie sheet. Continue rolling the dough and placing about 1 inch apart on cookie sheet until all the cookies are formed.
Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Allow cookies to cool for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm or store in an airtight container for up to a week (but they won’t last that long!).