[RECIPE] Brown Butter Sugar Cookies

Here we are–right smack in the midst of the holiday season. Unbelievable, right? The holidays often get the dubious honor of being the most stressful time of the year (sometimes, rightfully so) but it’s also a great time to relax and get some baking done. That’s right–the practice of holiday baking is a tradition in many households (including mine).

For me, baking is a way to de-stress after fighting the shopping crowds, wrapping presents (er, I mean helping Santa wrap presents), and entertaining friends and family. I’m a chronic insomniac so I usually find myself in my kitchen late at night with my mother’s well-used, handwritten cookbooks poring through their pages looking for the best recipes. Holiday baking is a great way to bond with the kiddos (or, in my case, my three little nephews) and, let’s be honest, edible treats are more fun to give than re-gifted candles.

I love this recipe that elevates the humble sugar cookie to a whole new level with the addition of brown butter. It sounds simple but a little thing like taking the time to brown the butter and your mind will be blown. Trust me.

Print Recipe

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies Yum

This classic cookie gets an overdue upgrade with one simple ingredient: brown butter. A simple batch of cookies is transformed and turned into something uniquely special.

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

10-12 minutes

Servings

cookies (approx.)

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons butter 1 stick
• 1 cup unbleached flour plus 2 tablespoons
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Prep Time 30 minutes Cook Time 10-12 minutes Servings cookies (approx.) Ingredients 8 tablespoons butter 1 stick 1 cup unbleached flour plus 2 tablespoons 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/8 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 large egg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Heat butter in small saucepan, over medium heat, until melted. Continue cooking butter, whisking or swirling the pan as needed, until the melted butter takes on a light golden brown color. There will be small flakes of dark brown on the bottom of the saucepan. Remove butter from heat and transfer to a small bowl immediately. Let cool until the bottom of the bowl is no longer warm to the touch, about 20 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.
3. In a shallow bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons brown and granulated sugar. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. Add 1 cup brown sugar to bowl with cooled, browned butter and mix until combined. Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined and there are no lumps. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
5. Roll about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough into a ball using your hands. Then toss the dough in the brown/granulated sugar mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between each cookie.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through. The cookies are ready to come out when the edges have just turned a light golden brown. They will appear underdone in the center but, no worries, they will firm up as they rest.
7. Remove cookies from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Let cool completely and store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.