Nutty Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

OMG, guys…it’s totally almost Christmas and I am SO NOT READY for it this year. Let’s just blame it on the upcoming move…m’kay? Usually, by now, I’ve baked and confected up a storm. My tree and house have been trimmed with glittery everything and I’ve buried myself in a mountain of wrapping paper & ribbon. This year, not so much. There’s no tree, not a single wrapped gift, or even a sprinkling of glitter. There aren’t even that many treats! But, there are some, like this twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie…so I haven’t completely dropped the ball. Oh, and I have watched Love, Actually no less than 4 times. A girl’s gotta keep some traditions alive.

Luckily we are leaving today to visit our families out in Nevada for the next week and we’ve been assured that Christmas cheer is in full effect…so, we won’t be missing out one bit! Plus, these cookies…duh. I always love a chocolate chip cookie and I am a super-fan of a good-ol CCC with some nutty bits strewn throughout. These cookies take it to the next level of nutty goodness with lots of browned butter and not just my standard favorite, walnuts, but also my other favorites: hazelnuts and pecans (I know…I use favorite far too liberally, but I just love ’em all!). I would even dare to say that these would be a great treat to leave out for everyone’s favorite, jolly, bearded fellow in the cookie-form with lots of butter, sugar, chocolate, and nuts for extra protein…you know, Santa Fuel.

Anyway, whatever you do or celebrate this holiday season, I hope you and yours have a joyous and cheerful time! Toast some drinks, hug your favorites, revel in the happiness of the season…and eat some cookies!

[recipe]

Nutty Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Adapted from THIS recipe.

2 sticks (8oz) unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 cups chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups mixed nuts (any you like!)

sea salt for sprinkling

Preheat the oven to 350˚F and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats.

Begin by browning the butter in a skillet until the solids become a deep, golden, caramel color and the butter smells nutty like toffee. Pour the butter into a dish and set aside to cool a bit while you gather your ingredients.

In a mixing bowl or stand mixer combine the sugars together with the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the browned butter to the mixing bowl and mix to combine. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing the first in well before adding the second, scraping the bowl after each addition. Add in the vanilla and mix to combine. Fold in the chocolate chips and nuts to combine. Using a levered cookie scoop, or two tablespoons, scoop cookies onto the prepared sheets, spacing a few inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake the cookies in the center of the oven, one sheet at a time, for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are golden. Remove from the oven and cool about 5 minutes before transferring the cookies to a cooling rack with a spatula. Repeat with the remaining dough. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. [/recipe]