salted brown butter pecan chocolate chip cookies

I have a problem. Fine, I have a few problems. They mostly involve the price of coffee and the timeliness of the MTA but I also just can not bring myself to make a standard batch of chocolate chip cookies.

I just can’t seem to leave well enough alone when it comes to cookie making. I’m always trying to add in that je ne sais quoi.

This recipe, my friends, is about as close as I can come to the cookie that we call An American Classic.

Why? You ask. Well if there is a cookie then there is flavor that can be boosted. Whatever chocolate chip cookie you remember savoring as a child, I assure you can be made better with the addition of brown butter.

Brown butter is like a push-up bra for cookies. Sometimes you need a boost.

Salt equals the secret to all baked goods tasting better.

Brown butter equals major flavor.

Pecans toasted then chopped extra-super-fine equals please add them even if you are against nuts in your cookies.

To all you non-nut lovers out there I promise you won’t even know there are nuts in your chocolate chip cookie.

I know. I’m on your side. I don’t want anything standing between me and my chocolate but the addition of finely chopped pecans helps to coax out the nuttiness that the brown butter is bringing to the communal cookie table.

This version of chocolate chip cookies comes together in no time flat – it’s about time your chocolate chip cookies had a spring-time makeover. Right? 

Salted Brown Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes about 3 dozen

Adapted from the back of a bag of Baker’s chocolate chunks

1 3/4 cup (218 grams) flour
3/4 teaspoon (4 grams) baking soda
1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) salt
3/4 cup (170 grams) butter, softened
1/2 cup (110 grams) sugar
1/2 cup (115 grams) brown sugar
1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla
1 egg
1 heaping cup (170 grams or 6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup (100 grams) pecans, toasted and chopped fine
flaky salt, for sprinkling

Preheat the oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.

First – brown the butter. Melt one stick (113 grams or 8 tablespoons) of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter begins to foam. Continue to cook and stir until the foam subsides and bits begin to form on the bottom of the pan. When the butter has deepened in color and smells wonderfully nutty, turn off the heat and set aside.

In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl cream the two sugars together with the remaining half stick (56 grams or 4 tablespoons) of butter until light and fluffy or about 3 minutes. Add the brown butter, vanilla and egg and beat until well blended. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the chocolate chips and pecans. Scoop the dough onto the prepared sheet and sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of salt.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just lightly browned. Let stand on the sheet for a minute before transferring to rack to cool completely. Move immediately to your mouth and enjoy!