Brown Butter Turtle Cookies
Ingredients
Makes 20 cookies
1/2 cup toasted pecans (chopped)
1 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup caramels (chopped into small pieces)
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1 cup unsalted brown butter (room temperature)
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Flaky sea salt (optional
Instructions
1.Browning the butter is technically optional but the extra time is SO worth it! The biggest problem I see people run into when using brown butter in cookies, is not letting the butter cool completely to room temperature before adding it to the dough. So I highly recommend browning the butter the night before you want to make these caramel pecan chocolate chip cookies.
2.Chop the caramels into smaller pieces (smaller chunks will melt better in the cookies). The caramel pieces will want to stick together, so I like to toss them in a tiny bit of the flour so that they won't clump up together in the batter.
3.Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, or hand mixer, cream the room temperature brown butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
4.Add in the eggs and vanilla extract and beat until light, fluffy, and pale in color. This should take 2-4 minutes which seems like a long time, but you'll see a huge difference in the texture afterwards.
5.Add in the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix until thoroughly combined. The dough should be wet and sticky and you might think you need more flour but you don't!
6.Gently fold the chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and caramel pieces into the cookie dough.
7.Scoop a generous 3 tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. I use a size 20 cookie scoop. If desired, press some extra chocolate chips and caramel pieces into the tops of the cookie dough balls.
Brown butter cookies are a culinary delight that adds depth and richness to traditional cookie recipes. When you brown butter, the milk solids caramelize, providing a nutty flavor that enhances your baked goods. For best results, make sure to allow the butter to cool sufficiently before incorporating it into the dough. This process not only helps to achieve the right texture but also intensifies the cookie's taste. Assembling your turtle cookies can be a fun activity, especially when you involve family or friends in the process. Ensure that your ingredients are fresh—particularly the butter and eggs—as their quality directly influences the final outcome of your cookies. Brown Butter Turtle Cookies are best enjoyed warm out of the oven, but they also store well, making them ideal for sharing or saving for later indulgence. Experiment with variations by adding different nuts or using white chocolate for a twist on the classic recipe. Enjoy these cookies at gatherings, as gifts, or simply for a cozy night in with a cup of coffee or tea.