The holidays are a time to celebrate connection, love, and the joy of giving. But gifting doesn’t have to mean rushing to stores or buying more things wrapped in plastic. Instead, why not share something heartfelt and homemade? These brown butter chocolate chip cookies are the perfect way to show your love—a thoughtful, delicious gift straight from your kitchen.

Rich with the nutty warmth of browned butter and studded with bittersweet chocolate, these cookies are holiday magic in every bite. Whether you’re packaging them up in a reusable tin for friends or serving them fresh from the oven with mugs of hot cocoa, they’ll bring joy and comfort to anyone lucky enough to enjoy them.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 16 cookies

Ingredients

Everything you need to bake up a little holiday cheer:

• 1 ½ cups plus 1 Tbsp. (200 g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 ¼ tsp. (4 g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or ¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt)
• ¾ tsp. (4 g) baking soda
• ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks; 169 g) unsalted butter, divided
• 1 cup (200 g) packed dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 6 oz. (170 g) bittersweet chocolate (60%-70% cacao), coarsely chopped, or semisweet chocolate chips

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven and Mix Dry Ingredients

• Place your oven racks in the upper and lower thirds, then preheat to 375°F (190°C).
• In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.

2. Brown the Butter

• Melt ½ cup (1 stick) of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Swirl the pan and scrape the bottom with a spatula until the butter foams and turns a golden brown, releasing a nutty aroma (about 4 minutes).
• Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ¼ cup (56 g) butter in small pieces until melted.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients

• Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the butter, whisking until smooth and lump-free.
• Whisk in the egg and egg yolks until creamy and fully incorporated (about 30 seconds).
• Stir in the vanilla extract for an extra touch of holiday warmth.

4. Mix the Dough

• Using a spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
• Fold in the chocolate pieces or chips. If the dough feels too soft to hold its shape, let it rest for 5–10 minutes to hydrate.

5. Scoop and Bake

• Scoop out 16 dough balls (about 3 Tbsp. each) and arrange them on two parchment-lined baking sheets.
• Bake for 8–10 minutes, rotating the sheets midway if needed. The cookies are ready when the edges are golden and firm.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets to finish setting.

Tips for Gifting and Enjoying

• Make-Ahead Gifting: Freeze dough balls up to 3 months in advance, then bake as needed for fresh, homemade gifts. Add an extra 1–2 minutes to the baking time if baking from frozen.
• Thoughtful Packaging: Bundle a few cookies in reusable tins or glass jars with a festive ribbon. Pair them with a handwritten note for a gift that feels extra personal.
• Storage: Keep baked cookies fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days—if they last that long!

These cookies capture everything we love about the holidays: warmth, sweetness, and the joy of sharing. Skip the plastic-wrapped store-bought gifts this year and let these homemade treats speak for you. They’re perfect for neighbors, teachers, friends, or anyone who could use a little extra holiday cheer.

Wishing you cozy baking sessions and a season filled with heartfelt, handmade moments. Let me know in the comments how your cookies turn out—I’d love to hear how you share them! 

Sending love from Tofino, 
Tamara xo