Crinkled Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (Thin & Crispy)
These Crinkled Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft and gooey in the center with golden, slightly chewy, beautifully rippled edges. Packed with pools of melty chocolate and rich, nutty brown butter flavor, they’re the ultimate bakery-style cookie. Serve warm with flaky sea salt and a cold glass of milk for the perfect treat.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
Salted Butter: Browned to create a rich, nutty flavor that gives these cookies their signature depth and chewy texture.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deep, caramel-like sweetness for soft, gooey centers.
Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create slightly crisp, golden edges.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness while contributing to a soft, tender cookie texture.
Heavy Cream: Adds extra richness and moisture, helping create a softer, more decadent cookie.
Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: Enhances flavor with warm, aromatic vanilla notes throughout the dough.
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the cookies, providing structure while keeping them soft and tender.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies spread and creates a chewy texture with lightly crisp edges.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the chocolate and brown butter flavors.
Chocolate Chips or Chopped Chocolate: Creates melty pools of chocolate throughout each cookie for the ultimate indulgent bite.
Flaky Sea Salt: Sprinkled on top to enhance flavor and balance the sweetness with a subtle salty finish.
Why You’ll Love Crinkled Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Gooey Centers: Soft, melty centers that stay perfectly tender in every bite.
Crinkled Edges: Beautifully rippled edges that are slightly crisp and chewy.
Rich Brown Butter Flavor: Nutty, caramel-like depth that elevates the classic cookie.
Pools Of Melted Chocolate: Big, melty chocolate pockets throughout each cookie.
Perfect Texture Contrast: Crisp edges with a soft, gooey middle for the ultimate bite.
Bakery-Style Results: Thick, indulgent cookies that feel straight from a bakery.
Perfectly Balanced Sweetness: Rich and sweet with a hint of salt to balance it out.
Easy Yet Impressive: Simple ingredients with a high-end, bakery-style outcome.
Best Served Warm: Warm cookies with melty chocolate and flaky sea salt are unbeatable.
Tips for Making Crinkled Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Brown The Butter Fully: Cook until deep golden with brown specks and a nutty aroma—this is where the signature flavor comes from.
Let The Butter Cool Slightly: Cooling prevents the sugars from melting too quickly and helps control spreading.
Whisk Until Light And Glossy: After adding eggs, whisk until the mixture lightens in color—this helps create that crinkled texture.
Don’t Overmix The Dough: Fold just until combined to keep the cookies soft and tender.
Use A Mix Of Chocolate: Combining chopped chocolate and chips creates melty pools and better texture.
Check The Bottom Of The Bowl: Make sure no dry flour is left behind for an even dough.
Pack The Cookie Scoop: Firmly packing the dough helps create thick, bakery-style cookies.
Chill The Dough Briefly: Freezing for 15 minutes helps prevent spreading and enhances the texture.
Bake From Cold Dough: Keeping dough chilled between batches ensures consistent results.
Don’t Overbake: The centers should look slightly underdone—they will continue to set as they cool.
Use The Pan-Banging Method: Dropping the pan mid-bake creates those signature crinkled edges.
Finish Baking After Banging: Returning to the oven helps set the edges while keeping the center gooey.
Shape While Warm: Use a round cutter or bowl right after baking for perfectly round cookies.
Add Extra Chocolate On Top: Press in extra chocolate right out of the oven for melty, bakery-style tops.
Let Cookies Cool Slightly: Allow 5 minutes on the pan so they set without losing softness.
Finish With Flaky Sea Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Serve Warm For Best Texture: These cookies are best enjoyed warm with gooey centers and melty chocolate.
How to Store Crinkled Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Room Temperature: Store crinkled brown butter chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week for extended freshness.
Freezer (Baked Cookies): Freeze baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Freezer (Cookie Dough): Freeze portioned cookie dough balls for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.
To Reheat: Warm cookies in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back the gooey center and soft texture.
FAQs:
Q: Can I make these crinkled brown butter chocolate chip cookies ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can prepare the dough and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Scoop and bake when ready.
Q: Can I freeze the cookie dough?
A: Yes. Portion the dough into balls and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.
Q: Do I have to brown the butter?
A: For best flavor, yes. Brown butter adds a rich, nutty depth that makes these cookies stand out.
Q: Why do I bang the pan during baking?
A: This creates the signature crinkled edges by deflating the cookies slightly as they bake.
Q: Why do my cookies look underbaked in the center?
A: That’s intentional. The centers will continue to set as they cool, giving you a soft and gooey texture.
Q: Can I use different types of chocolate?
A: Yes. A mix of chocolate chips and chopped chocolate creates the best texture and melty pools.
Q: Can I skip the heavy cream?
A: You can substitute milk, but the cream adds extra richness and softness.
Q: What should I serve with these cookies?
A: They’re perfect served warm with flaky sea salt and a cold glass of milk.
Love these? Check out my other cookie recipes:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make these crinkled brown butter chocolate chip cookies. Happy baking!
