Description
These Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies combine the rich, roasted flavor of espresso with classic semi-sweet chocolate chips for a sophisticated twist on a beloved treat. Browned butter adds a deep, nutty aroma while chilling the dough overnight enhances the flavor and texture, resulting in perfectly chewy and flavorful cookies.
Ingredients
Butter and Espresso
- 14 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon ground espresso
Sugars
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Eggs and Flavorings
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
Dry Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Chocolate
- 3/4 cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate or mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: In a stainless steel pan over medium heat, cook the butter until the solids turn an amber brown color, about 10 minutes. This process brings out a nutty flavor in the butter. Scrape all of the browned butter, including the flavorful solids, into a mixing bowl.
- Add Espresso Grounds: Stir in 1 tablespoon of ground espresso into the browned butter, then set the bowl aside to cool to room temperature, about 20-30 minutes in a typical kitchen.
- Mix Sugars: Whisk in the light brown sugar and granulated sugar into the cooled butter and espresso mixture for one minute until fully combined and smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Whisk in 1 large room temperature egg, 1 large egg yolk (also room temperature), and 2 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Chocolate: Gently fold in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and chopped semi-sweet chocolate or mini chocolate chips just until combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain cookie tenderness.
- Chill the Dough: Scoop the cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking tray. Place the tray in the freezer to chill the dough for at least 3-4 hours; overnight chilling is preferred to enhance flavor and texture.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Arrange the frozen cookie dough scoops spaced at least two inches apart on a baking tray. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden and the centers remain pale and puffy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer the tray to a wire cooling rack. Let the cookies cool completely before enjoying their chewy, flavorful texture.
Notes
- For best results, measure flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off to avoid packing, which can make cookies dense.
- Chilling the dough overnight intensifies the flavors and improves texture, but a minimum of 3-4 hours is acceptable.
- Use room temperature eggs for optimal mixing and texture.
- Browned butter can quickly burn, so watch it carefully during cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
