Ingredients
Brown Butter
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 g) light or dark brown sugar
- ⅔ cup (135 g) white sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups (340 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Chocolate
- 10 oz (285 g) semisweet chocolate (can substitute 1 ¾ cups chocolate chips)
Optional
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: Place the butter in a medium saucepan over low to medium-low heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula as it melts and begins to foam. When the foaming slows and brown bits form at the bottom, and you smell a nutty aroma, quickly remove from heat and pour into a large heatproof bowl. Allow it to cool until no longer warm to the touch.
- Mix Sugars and Butter: Add the brown and white sugars to the cooled browned butter and mix well until fully combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Stir in the eggs and vanilla extract until the dough is uniform in texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until all ingredients are fully combined into a smooth dough.
- Add Chocolate: Fold in the semisweet chocolate pieces or chips evenly throughout the batter.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat and Prepare: About 15 minutes before baking, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop Dough Balls: Using approximately 2 tablespoon-sized portions, scoop dough and gently roll into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet with at least 2 inches between each ball.
- Bake Cookies: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until edges are just golden and centers remain soft and slightly underbaked.
- Cool and Finish: Let cookies cool for about a minute on the sheet, then sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt if desired. Allow to cool completely on baking sheet before removing and serving.
Notes
- Sugar: Using a mix of light and dark brown sugar balances flavor and color; light brown sugar yields lighter cookies, dark brown sugar gives a deeper, richer flavor.
- Chocolate: Semisweet chocolate chunks or chips can be used interchangeably for the best texture and melty chocolate pockets.
- Brown Butter Technique: Browning butter requires attentiveness; use a light-colored pan to see browning clearly and swirl constantly to prevent burning.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
