If you’re a fan of cookies that have that perfect balance between sweet and savory, chewy and crispy, this recipe for Browned Butter Cookies with chocolate chunks and pecans is what you need! We’re taking classic chocolate chip cookies up a notch with browned butter, dark chocolate chunks, and a sprinkle of Celtic sea salt.
Browned butter gives them a deep, nutty flavor, while the dark chocolate and sea salt add just the right level of indulgence and complexity. Imagine that rich, almost caramel-like flavor from the browned butter blending with melty dark chocolate chunks and finishing with a pop of sea salt
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Why You'll Love Browned Butter Cookies
- Super Rich Flavor: The browned butter adds a caramel, almost nutty undertone that just screams luxury with every bite.
- Perfect Sweet & Salty Balance: Celtic sea salt on top balances out the sweetness and makes each bite insanely addictive.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These cookies will be a hit wherever you take them. Perfect for Christmas cookie trays, snacking, and game day parties.
Ingredients
The secret to these chocolate chips cookies is the golden browned butter! It adds a deep and rich nutty flavor that is hard to resist! Below are the ingredients you will need to make this cookie recipe.
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Large egg
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- All purpose flour
- Pecan pieces
- Dark chocolate chunks
- Celtic sea salt (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Browned Butter Cookies
Just a few simple steps and a short bake time brings the most flavorful delicious cookie! See below for a visual how to!
- Step 1: combine browned butter and brown sugar until well combined.
- Step 2: whisk in egg and vanilla until combined.
- Step 3: in a medium bowl mix together flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Add to wet ingredients.
- Step 4: stir all of the dry ingredients into the wet until a dough forms.
- Step 5: add chocolate chunks and pecan pieces and stir to combine.
- Step 6: using a cookie scoop, portion dough balls on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake 13 minutes, until lightly browned.
- In a large bowl, mix browned butter with brown sugar until combined.
- Using a hand whisk, mix in egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In another large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until dough forms.
- Stir in chocolate chunks and chopped pecans.
- Scoop dough with small cookie scoop and flatten some after placing cookie on baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with grey sea salt. Bake 10 minutes or until cookie is set.
Hint: Flatten the cookies slightly with the palm of your hand after scooping onto the baking sheet. Top with a couple extra chocolate chunks for aesthetics.
Substitutions
Don't have an ingredient, or want to make these cookies a little healthier? Follow the suggestions below for some tried and true options!
- Browned butter: If you don’t want to brown the butter, you can use regular melted butter. The flavor won’t be as nutty, but the cookies will still taste amazing!
- Chocolate: Swap the dark chocolate chunks for milk chocolate or semi-sweet.
- Brown Sugar: make this with coconut sugar for an unrefined sugar swap.
Variations
Just a few subtle changes can give you a whole new flavor profile that will still complement the original cookie, check out the ideas below for one you may like to try.
- Coffee Kick: Include a teaspoon of coffee powder to the cookie dough to enhance chocolate flavors.
- Cinnamon twist: Include a teaspoon of cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a touch of sweet warmth that complements the browned butter.
- Orange Zest: Add some orange zest to the mixture for a citrusy note.
See this butter pecan shortbread cookies on my website! (placeholder for in-content link)
Equipment
- Cookie scoop
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon
- Rubber scraper
Storage
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, can be placed in the freezer container up to 3 months.
Top tip
Brown the butter carefully: Keep an eye on it! Brown butter can go from perfection to burnt fast, so stir constantly over low heat and watch for that golden-brown color.
More Cookie Recipes
Looking for other delicious recipes like these browned butter cookies? Try these:
Pairing
Nothing goes better with a browned butter chocolate chip cookie than a tall, cold glass of milk! However, don't limit yourself! These are excellent with a cup of hot coffee or tea, and even go great with a glass of dry red wine! (making these the perfect party sweet treat!
When you make this browned butter cookie recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Equipment
- Wooden spoon
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Ingredients
- ½ cup butter browned and cooled slightly
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1½ cups flour
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chunks
- grey sea salts (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix browned butter with brown sugar until combined.
- Using a hand whisk, mix in egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In another large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until dough forms.
- Stir in chocolate chunks and chopped pecans.
- Scoop dough with small cookie scoop and flatten some after placing cookie on baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with grey sea salt. Bake 10 minutes or until cookie is set.
Lynda says
I missed this post for some reason, but these cookies look wonderful. I love browned butter in baked goods, so I wouldn't be able to resist these treats.
Delishhh says
Oh would love one of these right now 🙂
Barbara Bakes says
I don't think I'd be able to resist eating them until they were all gone!
Katherine Martinelli says
Ooohh I am a sucker for anything with brown butter - so I know I will love these! Also love all the elements, the salty-sweet, the m and ms - mmmm! These look amazing.
honeyb says
Yummy! Love sweet and salty!
Leslie says
I love love love browning my butter for my cookies! These look scrumptious!
teresa says
these are so fun, i love the sea salt!
Shelby says
Teresa, I love the salt too - something about that salty sweet combination is so addicting!
Pegasuslegend says
These look yummy! I pinned them!
Shelby says
Thanks Claudia! I'm going to make your amaretto mug cake this weekend 🙂
Shelby says
Thanks Peggy and it was very kind of you!
Peggy Clyde says
My most favorite thing to eat is a cookie or two or three. This one looks tasty. Thanks.
PS-your package is in the mail.