Ingredients

• 1 cup salted butter
• 1 ¼ cup light brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs (room temperature)
• 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp corn starch
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ cup chopped milk chocolate or chocolate chips
• Flaky sea salt (for garnish, optional)

Directions

1. In a pan over medium heat, melt and brown the butter, stirring constantly. Once it turns golden brown and gives off a nutty aroma (about 3-5 minutes), remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
2. In a stand mixer, combine the browned butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix for 30 seconds until combined.
3. With the mixer on low, add eggs one at a time, followed by flour, corn starch, baking soda, and salt. Mix until fully incorporated.
4. Fold in the chocolate chunks or chips with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out 24 dough balls. Chill for at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours).
6. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chilled cookie dough balls 2 inches apart on a lined baking sheet.
7. Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are just set. Remove from the oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
8. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt (optional) and enjoy!

Nutrients (Per Cookie, Approximate)

• Calories: 180 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 85mg

These Brown Butter Milk Chocolate Cookies are irresistibly soft and chewy, making them the perfect treat for any occasion. Enjoy fresh or store some dough in the freezer for later indulgence!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich, Nutty Flavor: Browning the butter adds a toasted, caramel-like depth that enhances the overall taste.
• Perfectly Chewy Texture: The combination of brown sugar, cornstarch, and melted butter creates soft and chewy cookies.
• Creamy Milk Chocolate Chunks: Unlike semi-sweet chocolate, milk chocolate melts into pockets of creamy sweetness in every bite.
• Flaky Sea Salt Finish: A sprinkle of sea salt enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Great for Make-Ahead: The dough can be chilled or frozen for later baking, making it a perfect go-to dessert.

The Magic of Brown Butter in Cookies

Brown butter is the secret ingredient that takes these cookies from good to absolutely irresistible. By cooking the butter until the milk solids turn golden brown, it develops a deep, nutty aroma with hints of caramel. This process enhances the cookie’s overall complexity, giving it a warm, toasty richness that pairs perfectly with milk chocolate.

How to Brown Butter Perfectly:

• Melt butter over medium heat, stirring continuously.
• The butter will foam and then start to turn golden.
• Once it develops a nutty aroma and brown flecks appear, remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
• Let it cool slightly before incorporating into the dough.

This simple step transforms an ordinary cookie into a bakery-style masterpiece!

What Makes These Cookies Chewy and Soft?

A great cookie has the perfect balance of chewiness and crisp edges. Here’s how this recipe achieves that ideal texture:

• Brown Sugar Dominance: Light brown sugar contains molasses, which keeps cookies soft and adds moisture.
• Cornstarch Addition: A little cornstarch prevents excessive spreading and gives cookies a soft, tender crumb.
• Chilled Dough: Chilling allows the butter to solidify, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
• Eggs at Room Temperature: Ensures a smooth, well-mixed dough that bakes evenly.

Choosing the Right Chocolate for Maximum Flavor

While traditional chocolate chip cookies use semi-sweet chocolate, these cookies shine with creamy milk chocolate chunks. Here’s why:

• Milk Chocolate Melts More Creamily: Its higher milk content results in smooth, gooey pockets of chocolate.
• Sweeter Balance: The brown butter’s nutty depth pairs beautifully with the gentle sweetness of milk chocolate.
• Use Chopped Chocolate Instead of Chips: Chopping a milk chocolate bar creates uneven pieces, leading to rich layers of chocolate in every bite.

If you prefer a mix of flavors, try combining milk chocolate with a bit of dark chocolate for a more balanced sweetness!

The Importance of Chilling the Dough

Chilling cookie dough may seem like an extra step, but it makes a big difference:

• Enhances Flavor: Resting the dough allows the flavors to develop, intensifying the brown butter’s richness.
• Prevents Excess Spreading: Chilled dough holds its shape better, resulting in thicker cookies.
• Improves Texture: The butter firms up, leading to a more uniform bake with a perfect chewy bite.

For best results, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes, but if you have time, overnight chilling makes the cookies even better!

Baking Tips for the Best Cookies

Follow these tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time:

• Use a Cookie Scoop: A medium-sized scoop ensures evenly sized cookies that bake at the same rate.
• Don’t Overbake: Cookies should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven—they will continue to set as they cool.
• Cool on the Baking Sheet First: Letting them rest for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack helps them firm up without becoming too crisp.
• Sprinkle with Flaky Sea Salt Immediately: Adding salt while the cookies are warm ensures it sticks and enhances the flavors.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are incredible on their own, but you can take them to the next level with these serving ideas:

• With a Glass of Milk: The classic way to enjoy cookies, bringing out their creamy chocolatey goodness.
• As a Dessert Sandwich: Use two cookies to sandwich vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.
• Dipped in Coffee or Hot Chocolate: The brown butter’s deep flavor pairs beautifully with warm beverages.
• Crumbled Over Ice Cream: Sprinkle broken cookie pieces over vanilla or caramel ice cream for added texture and flavor.

How to Store and Freeze These Cookies

Brown Butter Milk Chocolate Cookies store well, making them great for meal prep or gifting.

Storing Baked Cookies:

• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• To maintain chewiness, add a slice of bread to the container—it keeps moisture locked in!

Freezing Baked Cookies:

• Cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe bag.
• Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature when ready to eat.

Freezing Cookie Dough:

• Scoop cookie dough into balls and place them on a lined baking sheet.
• Freeze until solid, then transfer to a resealable bag for up to 3 months.
• Bake straight from the freezer—just add an extra 2 minutes to the baking time.

Variations to Try

Want to switch things up? Here are some delicious variations to experiment with:

• Dark Chocolate Variation: Swap out half of the milk chocolate for dark chocolate chunks for a more intense flavor.
• Nutty Twist: Stir in toasted pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
• Espresso Infused: Add 1 teaspoon of espresso powder to enhance the chocolate’s depth.
• Holiday Spice: A pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg makes these perfect for the holidays.
• Peanut Butter Lovers: Swirl in 2 tablespoons of peanut butter into the dough for a nutty twist.

Why These Cookies Make a Great Gift

With their rich, bakery-style taste, these cookies are perfect for gifting! Here’s how to package them beautifully:

• Stack in a Cellophane Bag: Tie with a ribbon for a simple yet elegant presentation.
• Arrange in a Cookie Tin: Line a tin with parchment paper for a festive gift.
• Include a Handwritten Note: A little note with storage instructions makes it even more special.

These cookies make an excellent homemade gift for birthdays, holidays, or just to brighten someone’s day!

Conclusion

Brown Butter Milk Chocolate Cookies are the ultimate treat for cookie lovers. With their deep, nutty flavor, chewy texture, and creamy chocolate chunks, they offer a gourmet twist on a beloved classic.

The magic of browned butter enhances every bite, while the balance of sweetness and saltiness makes them completely addictive. Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or a special occasion, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit.