Brown Butter Sugar Cookies Recipe From Scratch

by Alli

Browned butter brings a rich, nutty flavor to the classic sugar cookie. Grab a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee and enjoy these delicious Brown Butter Sugar Cookies. I bet you can’t eat just one! 

With easy pantry ingredients, these cookies pair the warm, nutty richness of brown butter together with the sweet comfort of sugar. These cookies are a delightful treat –  delicious and sure to please any palate. 

Ingredients At A Glance

  • Salted butter: Substitute unsalted butter if desired but I recommend adding an extra โ…› or ยผ teaspoon of salt for flavor.
  • Salt
  • Granulated white sugar
  • Dark brown sugar: Granulated white sugar can be used instead for a more traditional sugar cookie flavor.
  • Large egg
  • Vanilla extract
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cornstarch: This helps the cookies not spread too far and get a nice crinkly top. It can be omitted but you may need to chill the dough before baking.
  • Cream of tartar: You can replace both the cream of tartar and baking soda with 1 ยฝ teaspoon of baking powder if needed.
  • Baking soda

Ingredients for brown butter sugar cookies including brown sugar and butter

You will need the following supplies:

  • Skillet
  • Measuring tools
  • Mixing tools
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper or baking spray
  • Large baking sheets
  • Cookie scoop
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Cooling rack

Step-by-Step Directions (Full Printable Recipe Card Down Below!)

Place the cubed butter and salt in a large skillet and melt over medium heat.

Cubed butter in a white skillet before melting

Continue heating over medium-low heat, stirring frequently for about 3-5 minutes. Continue cooking until the butter is golden brown and fragrant, about 2 more minutes. 

Melted and Browned Butter in a white skillet

Allow the butter to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. 

Cream the liquid browned butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar in a large mixing bowl using a hand or stand mixer. The mixture may be grainy.

sugar, brown sugar and butter in a mixing bowl

Add in the egg and vanilla extract and beat to combine. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. 

egg, sugar, brown butter in mixing bowl

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, cream of tartar, and baking soda.

cornstarch and baking soda in small glass bowl

Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, beating on low until a soft dough forms.

Brown Butter Sugar Cookie Dough ready to scoop and bake

Scoop out dough and roll it into balls. Place the cookies on the prepared cookie sheets.

Brown Butter Sugar Cookie Balls placed on a parchment lined baking sheet ready to bake.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges begin to get golden brown and the top is an even color.

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies baked and cooling in the parchment lined baking pan

Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet.

Tips For Making Brown Butter Sugar Cookies

How should I store Brown Butter Sugar Cookies?

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies should be stored, after cooled, in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for 3-4 days. For longer storage, the cookies can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for 2-3 months.

How should I serve these cookies?

These cookies are delicious served as they are, either warm out of the oven or cooled. Feel free to mix in some chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or toffee pieces to the dough.

You can also roll the dough in sugar or sprinkles before baking for added texture and flavor. After baking, drizzle them with melted chocolate or a homemade glaze for an elevated finish. Cream cheese frosting can also be used to decorate the cookies if desired.

Why is there cornstarch in these cookies?

Adding a couple of teaspoons of cornstarch to cookies can help them maintain a fluffy texture instead of flattening out too much and becoming hard discs. If you wish to omit the cornstarch, chill the dough for 30-60 minutes before baking so that they donโ€™t flatten out too much.

I hope you enjoy these delicious cookies! Try more of my cookie recipes by clicking below!

Yield: 20 cookies

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies

sugar cookies on a platter -

Discover the irresistible simplicity of this homemade Brown Butter Sugar cookie recipe. With easy, pantry ingredients, these cookies bring the warm, nutty richness of brown butter together with the sweet comfort of sugar for a delightful treat!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes

Ingredients

  • ยพ cup (1 ยฝ sticks) salted butter, cubed
  • ยผ teaspoon salt
  • ยฝ cup granulated white sugar
  • ยฝ cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 โ…” cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ยฝ teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

  1. Place the cubed butter and salt in a large skillet and melt over medium heat. 
  2. Once fully melted, continue heating the butter over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until it stops bubbling and gets foamy, about 3-5 minutes. 
  3. Stir well and continue cooking until the butter is golden brown and fragrant, about 2 more minutes. Do not overcook.
  4. Allow the butter to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. It can still be liquid but needs to be cooled enough to touch.
  5. When ready to make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper. 
  6. Cream together the liquid browned butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar in a large mixing bowl using a hand or stand mixer. The mixture may be grainy.
  7. Add in the egg and vanilla extract and beat to combine. Beat for about 2 minutes, until the mixture is light, soft, and fluffy. 
  8. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, cream of tartar, and baking soda.
  9. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, beating on low just until a soft dough forms. 
  10. Using a 1 ½ Tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out dough and roll into balls. Place the cookies on the prepared cookie sheets. 
  11. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges begin to get golden brown and the top is an even color across. Do not overcook. 
  12. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet to cool completely or serve

Notes

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. To store longer, the cookies can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.

Why is there cornstarch in these cookies? It helps the cookies maintain a fluffy texture instead of flattening out too much. If you'd like to omit the cornstarch, chill the dough for 30-60 minutes before baking.

Nutrition Information

Yield

20

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 84Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 10mgSodium 67mgCarbohydrates 18gFiber 0gSugar 10gProtein 1g

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