These chocolate chunk cookies are foolproof and perfect for your next Christmas cookie exchange. They are so rich and extremely easy to make.
Christmas Cookie Exchange
I have been trying to make a good cookie for quite some time. In fact, I have tried following recipes from cookbooks and blogs, but it just has not happened for me.
I think it was because of the butter that consistency never came out right and I was just never patient enough to wait for the butter to soften sufficiently.
That is why I rejoiced when I heard about browned butter cookies. This takes the guesswork out of when the butter is soft enough.
Now, I can do what I do best – cook! I cooked the butter and then used that amazing nutty browned butter to bake cookies! This is a whole new world for me and I am excited to be diving into the cookie baking world.
Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
What’s the best thing about my chocolate chunk cookies recipe? Maybe it is how easy they are to make. Maybe it’s the rich chunks of chocolate that melt in your mouth. They are also just so beautiful!
When you make them, you’ll find something you love about them too. Maybe a few somethings.
Pin this recipe to your cookie Pinterest board. You’ll want to share it with all your friends! Scroll down for a printable recipe card.
Chocolate Chunk Cookies Shopping List
Before you start making these chocolate chunk cookies, here is what you will need from the store:
- Unsalted Butter
- All purpose flour
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Cinnamon
- Brown sugar
- Granulated White Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Chocolate chunks
- Colored chocolate chips
- Chopped pecans
How to Make Chocolate Chunk Cookies Allergy-Free
My recipe calls for a cup of chopped pecans. If you have a nut allergy, these taste just as amazing without the pecans.
Another common allergen is dairy. If you want to make these cookies dairy-free, use oil or margarine instead of butter.
Why do you brown the butter for cookies?
Browning butter is what gives my chocolate chunk cookies their unique and addicting flavor.
When you brown the butter, you are invigorating the oils with extra bits of flavor. It adds a nutty cinnamon brown sugar flavor to the cookies.
Browning the butter cooks out the water in the butter and gives it a more powerful flavor.
How to Brown Butter in the Microwave?
You can brown butter in the microwave instead of on the stove top. It will save you a ton of time at the sink since it is extremely difficult to clean browned butter pieces from the bottom of a nice saucepan.
When you microwave your butter, you will use a microwave safe bowl like pyrex.
First, put the butter in a microwave safe bowl and cover the bowl with a microwave safe saucer or plate.
Microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes depending on the amount of the butter and the intensity of your microwave.
When you are using the microwave to heat butter, heat in 30 second intervals to figure out the right amount of time.
You want the butter to melt and start to pop and beging to brown during the 3 to 5 minutes in the microwave.
The butter should be deep brown in color and in nutty in aroma. The lighter the color the lighter the flavor will be.
Let it cool completely before mixing it. Stir it as it cools periodically to distribute the caramelize milk solids evenly.
How to Make Chocolate Chunk Cookies?
These are so easy to make. There is a printable recipe card below. But here are the step-by-step instructions for you.
First, you need to brown the butter in a light colored pot so you can tell if it is brown or in the microwave (see above).
Heat the 2 sticks of butter on medium whisking as you go. You want to heat until there are brown bits in the butter.
Once the butter is browned with a nutty aroma, set aside.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.
Pour browned butter into stand mixer mixing bowl with brown sugar and sugar mixing on low until smooth.
Add the eggs one at a time to this mix, mixing after each egg.
Add the vanilla extract after the eggs are mixed in and beat for another few minutes.
Pour in the flour mixture 1/4 a time mixing after each flour pour.
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Stir by hand in 1 cup chocolate chunks, 1 cup colored chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped pecans.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Spoon out a teaspoon of the cookie mixture onto the cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. If you want flatter cookies, flatten them out a little now.
Bake at 350°F for about 14 minutes and let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes.
Christmas Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter browned, not softened
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chunks
- 1 cup chocolate chips colored
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- First, you need to brown the butter in a light colored pot so you can tell if it is brown.
- Heat the 2 sticks of butter on medium whisking as you go. You want to heat until there are brown bits in the butter.
- Once the butter is browned with a nutty aroma, set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.
- Pour browned butter into stand mixer mixing bowl with brown sugar and sugar mixing on low until smooth.
- Add the eggs one at a time to this mix, mixing after each egg.
- Add the vanilla extract after the eggs are mixed in and beat for another few minutes.
- Pour in the flour mixture 1/4 a time mixing after each flour pour.
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Stir by hand in 1 cup chocolate chunks, 1 cup colored chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped pecans.
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Spoon out a teaspoon of the cookie mixture onto the cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. If you want flatter cookies, flatten them out a little now.
- Bake at 350°F for about 14 minutes and let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes.
More Dessert Recipes
I hope you enjoyed my chocolate chunk cookies recipe! Here are some more outstanding dessert recipes you have to try next:
Chunky cookies are the best. I will definitely be using these for next Cheusrmas.