Bake, Run, Live

Day 4 of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies!

I don’t know about you, but when I see a cookie tray, or when I make up a cookie tray, chocolate chip cookies must be on them. There is just something about a chocolate chip cookie. It has chocolate- so you know I am going to like it! But it seems, at least to me, that if people are picky about cookies, they will go for either the chocolate chip cookies or sugar cookies (that recipe will make an appearance!).

My dad loves chocolate chip cookies. I remember when I was younger, mom getting out the stand mixer and making a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough. There was always a small problem though- my mom, brother, and I would eat the cookie dough (gasp!). Don’t say you have never done it…cause I won’t believe you! Poor dad, so looking forward to cookies for dessert and in his lunchbox…and nothing. Cookies sometimes got made. So what’s a man to do? Start eating the cookie dough along with the rest of his family

These days, I don’t eat a lot of cookie dough. And no, it has nothing to do with being afraid of salmonella. I bake a lot, so the allure isn’t there anymore. Don’t feel sad for me though- I still enjoy eating the finished product! And speaking of, today’s recipe- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip cookies, takes things up a notch. Rich and slightly nutty from the brown butter- I could easily scarf down quite a few of these (dad likes these too!).  Add these to your cookie trays and watch them disappear!

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from Pretty By The Bay
Makes: 24 cookies
Prep time: 15 minutes    Bake time: 8-9 minutes

14 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper- set aside.

In a medium-sized skillet, melt 10 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Once melted, start swirling the pan and allow the butter to brown. You are looking for a golden brown color and a nutty smell. Remove from heat and pour into a large mixing bowl. Add in the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and let melt. Add in the sugar, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla- stir to combine. Add in the egg and egg yolk- mix well. Stir in the baking soda and flour, then add the chocolate chips. The dough will be shiny and a little looser than regular cookie dough. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes- this just lets the dough cool a little.
Using a medium-sized ice cream scoop, scoop dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 8-9 minutes or until set and lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Eat a cookie! Remove cookies from parchment paper onto cooling racks, eat a cookie! cool completely. Enjoy!

What is your favorite cookie tray cookie?

Made with love, not calories!