Not Another Chocolate Chip Cookie: Browned Butter Chocolate Chipsters

I was thinking about browned butter the other day, and pondering the fact that it would probably take the basic chocolate chip cookie to the next level.  Rather than using my own recipe, and incorporating the browned butter, I searched the internet to find a new recipe to try out.  I came across this one and was not disappointed.  It is unusual in the fact that it calls for active dry yeast, and this addition caught my attention enough to decide to try it.  I'm not sure what the addition of yeast does in this cookie - I'm no Alton Brown - but I would guess is lends to the the flavor, and although these cookies were fluffier than any of my previous cookies, I'm not sure if that was due to the yeast.

The recipe uses a combination of browned butter and regular butter, which I think makes the browned butter part a nice subtle hint, and not a screaming browned butter cookie.  We still want the hero of the show - the illustrious chocolate chip - to be the main star here :)  I substituted semi-sweet chocolate chips for the bittersweet chocolate, since that was all I had on hand, and I made the cookies a bit smaller.  This cookie is crispy and chewy on the edges, and soft in the middle.  It is a cookie with substance and a perfect partner for an ice cold glass of milk.  Try one.



Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

(recipe adapted from Emily of Sugar Plum)

1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional for sprinkling
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted

Preheat oven to 375F and generously butter a baking sheet. Cut one stick of butter into small pieces, and melt in a small pan over medium heat.  Continue to cook the butter, whisking frequently, until it starts to brown and foam, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, sift together flour and baking soda. Stir in yeast and salt until combined.

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until well combined and grainy, about 1 minute; beat in browned butter for 1 additional minute. Beat in eggs and vanilla until well combined. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually beat in flour mixture until just combined; stir in chocolate and walnuts with a wooden spoon until combined. Chill dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or the freezer for about 40 minutes.

For large cookies: Drop 1/4 cup measures of dough onto cookie sheet, forming into large mounds, and flatten slightly. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until golden brown around edges. Cool 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks.  Makes 16 large cookies.

For medium sized cookies:  Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a cookie sheet, flatten slightly, and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.  Cool for 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks.  Makes about 28 medium cookies.





19 comments:

Belinda @zomppa said...

I love the combo of browned and regular butter. Pour me that milk!

Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet) said...

Those are very pretty cookies...good job!

BakingWithoutABox said...

I love this. Mmm browned butter.

Eileen said...

Those cookies look perfect. Do you ship to the North East?

Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels said...

Your cookies are beautiful, so perfect! I love that you used browned butter in your cookies. They look delicious! :)

scrambledhenfruit said...

You can't have too many chocolate chip cookie recipes! These look great!

Emily said...

These look excellent! I'd love to try one right now. :) Can't wait to read more of your blog!

Monet said...

Doesn't browned butter do the most amazing things? Even the thought of the smell wafting through my kitchen is making my stomach growl. These cookies look wonderful, and I would definitely enjoy mine with a scoop of ice cream!

Carolyn said...

Certainly looks like a great choc chip cookie! Love the idea of some browned butter and some regular.

Karen said...

Doesn't brown butter make anything better?? These cookies look great...I wouldn't have thought to use browned butter with sweet dishes. Thanks for the idea!

Aaron John said...

These are some great looking cookies!! I never heard of brown butter in cookies but it sounds great!! Great pictures as well!
Would you mind checking out my blog? :D ajscookingsecrets.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Do they tase yeast-y at all?

Gabrielle @ i.gourmet said...

wow, they are beautiful!

Sprinkled with Flour said...

Answer to Anonymous' question: Hi, no these cookies do not have any yeast flavor at all:)

Evan @swEEts said...

Yum!! I love the flavor of brown butter.. the nutty scent makes for a wonderful baking time :) These have to be just fabulous!

Anonymous said...

I have never made anything with browned butter, but I think it's time to give it a try!! These look great :)

Anonymous said...

These make my Toll House cookies look sick... the yeast puzzles me, have you tried them without? Love the photos and brown butter!

meesh said...

America's test kitchen has a browned butter chocolate chip cookie that is chewy/flatter as opposed to this more cakey one - if you're interested.
http://habituallyhungry.wordpress.com/2010/03/14/americas-test-kitchen-best-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Chef Dennis Littley said...

wow....browned butter chocolate chip cookies....be still my heart....oh thats my stomach...lol....I wold love to sample a dozen or so right now!






Connect With Me

PhotobucketPhotobucket Photobucket photo RSSFeed_zps90418ae0.png

Search This Blog

Popular Posts

Followers

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Manage your shopping list and search for recipes from across the web at ZipList.com

Foodgawker Gallery

my foodgawker gallery


My featured recipes on NoshOnIt

SprinkledwithFlour Featured On:

FoodGawker

TasteSpotting


Photograzing

Tasteologie

Tasty Kitchen

Nosh On It

Huffington Post




Copyright

MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected
SprinkledwithFlour, 2010-present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Amber and SprinkledwithFlour with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.




Content © 2010
Blog design by Splendid Sparrow