I haven’t been feeling at home lately. I don’t think it’s an issue of physical location… I spend a hearty amount of time sitting at my desk. I think this might be more of a brain-space problem… my brain is everywhere but in my head doing its job.
I’m not certain how to coax my brain back into the world of now. I’ve been busying my poor brain with future work, future deadlines, and future anxieties. The now is certainly suffering in a way that feels annoyingly paralyzing.
Making these cookies came to mind more as a meditation than a treat. The act of melting butter down into a fragrant amber-colored fat, and creaming it with brown sugar feels like it could lead me home. Toasted pecans and dark chocolate chunks stud the path. The smell that fills the kitchen?… Yep, I think it’s working. I’m finding my way home.
Thank you for being here with me. Here is home, right?
Editor’s Note (it’s just me, Joy):
– There’s no way I could mention chocolate chip cookies without mentioning the dad who taught me how to make cookies: Dad the Baker. Father’s Day is right around the corner, which makes this week a wonderful time the reminisce about Dad Lessons. Oh how I need these every single day.
– If you follow me on Instagram (and I’m super glad that you do!) you may be have seen that this weekend I’m part of a Pop-Up Bake Sale and Shop in Los Angeles. Just sayin’. Stay in the know!
Here is a collection of ingredients I feel at home in. Butter is browned and nutty. Brown sugar is sticky and moist. Chocolate is dark. Pecans are chopped. I live in this space. Home, Sweet (literally) Home.
This cookie dough is creative with butter. We use softened unsalted butter like traditional cookie dough… but we also use melted and browned butter. Yea… brown butter is the magic ingredient to everything delicious. That’s not an exaggeration.
Proof: Brown Butter Strawberry Banana Bread
Now would be a good time to grab a spoon.
I’m at home, but sometimes it takes the smell of baking cooking to actually make me feel at home with everything around me.
Cookie dough is patient and kind.
Cookie dough burrito.
(I’m a poet.)
Cookie dough is scooped and, because I have a salt-tooth, I like to top these cookies with a pinch of smoked sea salt.
I mean…
Yea!
You can taste the butter from here, can’t you?
Brown butter + chocolate + pecans.
Chewy, crisp, and buttery. There’s not much more to say. We’re all the way home.
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pecans
from the Joy the Baker Cookbook
makes 24 cookies
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon molasses
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
coarse sea salt for sprinkling
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside.
Start by browning 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter. In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted completely, it will begin to foam and froth as it cooks. The butter will also crackle and pop. That’s the water cooking out of the butter. Swirl the pan occasionally, and keep an eye on the melted butter. The butter will become very fragrant and brown bits will begin to form at the bottom of the pan. Once the bits are an amber brown, immediately remove pan from the heat and pour browned butter (bits and all) into a small bowl. Leaving the butter in the pan will burn it. Allow butter to cool for 20 minutes.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream remaining 1/2 cup of butter with brown sugar. Cream on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and molasses and beat until incorporated.
Once the brown butter has cooled slightly, pour the butter (brown bits and all) into the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Add the granulated sugar and cream for 2 minutes, until well incorporated. Add the egg and egg yolk and beat for 1 minute more.
Stop the mixer and scrape the bottom of the bowl to ensure that everything is evenly mixed. Add the flour mixture, all at once to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until the flour is just incorporated. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and use a spatula to fold in pecans and chocolate chips.
Spoon batter onto a piece or parchment paper or plastic wrap and wrap into a disk or cylinder and seal at both ends. Allow to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Place racks in the center and upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees f. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough by the two tablespoonful onto prepared sheets. Sprinkle with sea salt. Be sure to leave about 2-inches of space between each cookie.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes of until cookies are golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Serve warm or allow to cool completely. Cookies are best enjoyed within a few days. Duh.
Miss Kim @ behgopa
I can totally smell and taste the cookies through this post! Papa must be proud!!
Rebecca
Hi Joy,
I dont have any molasses, could I leave it out or use something else instead?
these look yummy!
Lauren
I just made these and I left out the molasses as it is hard to come by in the UK. From my perspective it isn’t lost but I haven’t tried them with it. Delicious!
joythebaker
you can totally leave it out if necessary. no big deal!
Rebecca
thanks ladies!! I will add these to my weekend baking list :)
Emily
I wonder if using dark brown sugar would have the same effect as using light brown sugar + molasses? Since the darker the brown sugar, the more molasses….
Just a thought!
Jayne
I love love love the combo of ingredients here! Pecans, chocolate, brown butter. Very earthy and buttery.
erin
thank you for inviting us into your home. i feel at home, here, too. it’s a pretty welcoming space.
Bunny
Oh I love these cookies! I’ve made them from you book before!
Delicious and I LOVE the picture of the dough in the bowl.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I just saw someone’s instagram picture of gorgeous cookies yesterday and someone asked what the recipe was and she said the Browed Butter Choc Chip Cookies from your cookbook! And now today you made your own recipe. And now I am reminded again that I need to make them!
And not feeling at home. Oh boy, story of my life at times. I hope you find that calm, peaceful, at-home feeling soon :)
Connie
Hey Joy,
I just feel like you would dig this. It has nothing to do with cookies but has everything to do with awesomeness and kids and bikes and rapping and swerve… swerve. pop that. pop that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rSH5K5LlE8
Connie
sorry.. didn’t know it would be so huge! thought it would just be the link:(
Sue from Pleasanton
Loved seeing this! I grew up in Minnesota, and attended college in Minneapolis. Yay Minnesota!
Dolphine
sounds DELICIOUS
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Love these, nothing better than brown butter & chocolate!
Christine
I have made these many times and they are a hit every single time!!
Holiday Baker Man
I have to try these!
jehanne@thecookingdoctor
count me in for browned butter, it is the stuff that I wished I knew even 5 years ago!
LizK
Ha! I was just wondering how I coud incororate browned butter into yur chocolate chip cookie recipe… you must be psychic!
Amy
Oooh, I know this feeling. Being at home but not feeling that way. Cooking is always one of my ways back to myself. I hope you’re feeling at home soon. Can’t wait to see you, my friend. Love to you!!!
Tieghan
Oh man! Those look heavenly! Wishing I was eating one now with a cold glass of milk!