These brown butter chocolate chip cookies bars are gooey and delicious with an irresistibly nutty, caramel-like flavor. They're easy to make in 30 minutes - no mixer or scooping and rolling required.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
Line a 8x8”(20 cm) baking pan (glass or ceramic) with parchment paper, set aside.
Brown the Butter
Cut butter into ½ “cubes.
Put butter in a thick-bottomed pan (preferably in an even layer).
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally,
First, the butter will melt.
Then, it will begin to foam on top and start bubbling.
Next, it will start turning light brown with light brown flecks.
Then, it will start turning a darker brown, amber color. At this point the butter is browned and cooking is complete.
Immediately transfer the browned butter to a large mixing bowl.
Let cool for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Make the Dough
Whisk in the white and brown sugar.
Then whisk in egg and vanilla vigorously until the sugars are dissolved.
Add flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder and stir until fully incorporated.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Bake, Cool & Serve
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. If desired, sprinkle the top with additional chocolate chips.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 18 minutes, or until the top is set and the sides are just barely starting to brown
Remove, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and let them cool in the pan on a wire cooling rack.
Once cooled, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan, then cut into squares and serve.
Video
Notes
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Brown Butter.You can use salted or unsalted butter to make the brown butter for this recipe. For more tips and tricks - check out this post on How to Brown Butter.
All-purpose flour. For a gluten-free version substitute a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour.
Fine sea salt. Use fine (not coarse) sea salt. If using iodized table salt, decrease the amount by half.
Granulated sugar. I recommend using organic cane sugar or regular white sugar.
Light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar is a great substitution.
Chocolate chips. Use your favorite variety - semisweet, dark milk, etc. You can also use chopped chocolate bars, nuts, caramel bits, toffee bits, etc.
StoreStore leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed in the microwave to restore the fresh-from-the-oven texture.FreezeFreeze individual bars by wrapping them in plastic wrap and then storing them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature slowly or in the microwave.