These brown butter peanut butter cookies are a chewy peanut butter cookie loaded with brown butter, lots of chocolate and topped with some flaked salt. They've got a crispy edge, chewy center and so much flavor in every bite.
Brown butter peanut butter cookies are going to become the only way you want to make a peanut butter cookie after you try these. The flavors are warm and nutty, and the added chocolate gives a nice sweetness to these.
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Why You Will Love These Cookies
- One Bowl: You only need one small mixing bowl and a spoon to make these cookies.
- Brown Butter: I love the added flavor that browning your butter adds.
- Peanut Butter & Chocolate: Always a winning combo of flavors.
Ingredient Notes
Full ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Butter: You are going to brown your butter, and then add 1 extra tablespoon of butter right after browning.
- Peanut Butter: I suggest not using an all natural peanut butter for these.
- Sugar: You will use both granulated and brown sugar.
- Flour: I used all-purpose flour, but you can sub in a gluten free 1:1 flour if needed.
- Chocolate: I love using chopped up chocolate bars, but any chocolate works great.
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1: Start by browning the butter. You'll take 1 stick of butter and melt in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat, continuing to cook past the point of boiling. After it boils it will start to foam, underneath turning a nice golden brown, and will smell almost nutty. Make sure you are stirring and watching it, because it will turn the perfect light golden brown to burnt fairly quickly. Once finished browning, pour into a cup or bowl and add 1 tablespoon of butter and stir until melted. Place the butter into the fridge or freezer to cool completely for about 15-20 minutes.
- Step 2: Place the peanut butter and cooled brown butter together in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat about 1 minute until combined. Add both sugars and beat again 2-3 minutes until creamed. Add in egg and vanilla and mix.
- Step 3: Slowly mix in dry ingredients, being careful not to over mix. I usually stop when I still have some flour remnants around the bowl. Fold in chocolate.
- Step 4: Using a large cookie scoop, (I use a 4 TBSP) scoop dough into balls and place 5-6 on a large cookie sheet. Sprinkle with flaked salt.
- Step 5: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden brown. Sprinkle with extra salt after they're done baking and let them cool on the cookie sheet for 5-10 minutes to help the center finish setting.
Expert Baking Tips
- Avoid a natural peanut butter for these cookies. I suggest using Skippy or Jif.
- Feel free to skip the chocolate if you prefer a more classic peanut butter cookie.
- I have given both cups and grams as measurements. Grams will be more precise, especially when measuring flour. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, no problem! Just lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup to insure its not packed in there. Light and fluffy is the key.
FAQ
Yes, but it will change the texture of the cookies.
Yes, to achieve the correct consistency with your dough it is necessary to let your brown butter cool completely.
Yes, if not browning the butter do not add the extra 1 tablespoon.
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Storing & Freezing
Brown butter peanut butter cookies will remain fresh in an air tight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
You can freeze your cookies in an airtight container for 2-3 months with them remaining fresh. You can freeze the cookie dough balls if you would like to bake them one at a time. Allow them to sit out and thaw a bit while the oven is preheating.
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For more yummy treats follow me on instagram @thesaltedsweets. And be sure to tag me and comment if you make them and love them as much as I do!
Brown Butter Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113.5 g) salted butter browned
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- ⅓ cup (86 g) creamy peanut butter not natural
- ¾ cup (165 g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking soda
- 1¼ cups (175 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (135 g) chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- flaked salt for topping
Instructions
- Start by browning the butter. You'll take 1 stick of butter and melt in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat, continuing to cook past the point of boiling. After it boils it will start to foam, underneath turning a nice golden brown, and will smell almost nutty. Make sure you are stirring and watching it, because it will turn the perfect light golden brown to burnt fairly quickly. Once finished browning, pour into a cup or bowl and add 1 tablespoon of butter and stir until melted. Place the butter into the fridge or freezer to cool completely for about 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Line two cookie sheets with parchement paper.
- Place the peanut butter and cooled brown butter together in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat about 1 minute until combined. Add both sugars and beat again 2-3 minutes until creamed. Add in egg and vanilla and mix.
- Slowly mix in dry ingredients, being careful not to over mix. I usually stop when I still have some flour remnants around the bowl. Fold in chocolate.
- Using a large cookie scoop, (I use a 4 TBSP) scoop dough into balls and place 5-6 on a large cookie sheet. Sprinkle with flaked salt.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden brown. Sprinkle with extra salt after they're done baking and let them cool on the cookie sheet for 5-10 minutes to help the center finish setting.
Cheryl
OMG. Best peanut butter cookies EVER
Brooke Homec
YAY!!! Thank you so much!
Lilli
Will I have to chill the dough before baking?
Brooke Homec
Not this recipe.☺️
Annie
Amazing!! I didn’t realize I didn’t have an egg so I used applesauce as a replacement and they still were incredible, that’s how good these are!
Brooke Homec
Love knowing that they were great with applesauce. Thank you!!
Makayla
These are a favorite in my house. Only thing I do differently is use Reece’s pieces rather than chocolate chips. They are absolutely fantastic! My husband took them to work once and I now get weekly requests for more from his coworkers.