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Crinkly, Wrinkly, and oh so delicious…these Brown Butter Malted Chocolate Chunk Cookies will have you hooked after just one bite. Made with browned butter and malted milk powder, then lightly sweetened for a cookie that’s rich in flavor and heavy on the chocolate. Every bite is slightly crisp on the edges, but soft and chewy in the center…so DELICIOUS! Absolutely nothing not to love about these crinkly, wrinkly, sweet malted cookies. Bonus? These cookies are easy to make and so yummy to eat!
Happiest Friday everyone!!
Kicking off Valentine’s Day weekend with the sweetest extra special cookies. Originally I had a whole different recipe planned for today. It’s a good one, but it still needs some work. So I’ll save it for another day, and instead, we have cookies! Maybe not exactly your typical Valentine’s Day dessert, but trust me these need to be made. Every last cookie is pretty much perfect.
Speaking of Valentine’s Day, do you celebrate? I’ll be honest, it’s never a holiday I got very much into. But I do love any excuse to get dressed up, make a good dinner, and eat a rich chocolate dessert. In years past I’ve shared a lot of v-day desserts, but I’m switching things up with these cookies. They’re not a molten cake, but they’re just as warm, gooey, and delicious.
I’ve actually been wanting to share these cookies for months. I had the idea back in December to make a malted milk cookie with browned butter and chocolate chunks. It’s not the most genius idea out there, but the combination of malted milk powder, browned butter, and melty chocolate chunks just sound way too good to me. I knew I needed to test them out.
It took a while to finally make these, but man, I am so happy I finally did. Because they’re GOOD…they’re that cookie that everyone wants.
Two secrets to these cookies…
Browned butter and malted milk powder.
I feel like the browned butter is obvious, it’s key within these cookies. I like to brown half of the butter, but leave the other half at room temp. This gives you the flavor of browned butter but leaves you with a cookie that has a great texture too. It also highlights the malted flavors. I know it’s an extra step, but the browned butter really does add so much to these cookies. In my view, it’s the extra step worth taking.
Now, the malted milk powder. It’s not a usual cookie ingredient but it’s what really sets these cookies apart. For those of you unfamiliar with malted milk powder, it’s the best kept secret ingredient in the baking world. Malted milk is what is typically used to make malted milkshakes, among other things. It’s made from barley wheat and gives off a nutty flavor with a natural sweetness. It reminds me of the flavors in a toasted caramel sauce with undertones of browned butter and vanilla.
It’s very subtle but DELICIOUS. It adds a layer of flavor that keeps everyone wanting more. Asher described it so perfectly, the cookies taste like death by chocolate, with notes of vanilla and an almost boozy flavor.
The details…
Like most cookies, these are EASY. Brown the butter, let that cool, then simply mix everything together, bake, eat, and enjoy.
As I do with almost all my cookies, these need a tap on the counter to create that crinkly type of cookie.
Just tap the baking sheet on your counter midway through baking, then finish cooking. When the cookies have completely finished baking, remove them from the oven and tap the baking sheet once more. This step is KEY. It will ensure you have the least cakey chocolate chunk cookie. You’ll get a cookie with crisp edges and a gooey center. Tapping the baking pan on the counter deflates the center of the cookie, pushing the edges out.
I like to do this with almost all of my cookies because it really does create that perfect crinkly, wrinkly cookie. It’s a method I learned from the New York Times and it’s genius.
Aside from browning the butter and tapping the baking sheet, the rest is is easy. When the cookies come out of the oven, the puddles of melted chocolate will be bubbling up and the kitchen will smell, nutty, buttery, and oh so delicious.
I of course love to eat these warm, right off the pan. But first, I let them set up for five or so minutes. Then I serve them up while still warm with a sprinkle of sea salt atop.
And oh my gosh, every last bite is delicious. It’s truly hard to beat a good chocolate chip cookie, but these certainly give the others some stiff competition. It’s the crinkly edges, deep vanilla flavor, and pockets of melted chocolate. Pretty hard to beat.
I’m looking forward to making these cookies tonight. They make for the perfect Friday night cookie, but honestly, they’re great anytime.
Oh but a quick question? Are you a milk and cookies person or do you just like the cookies? Me…I am a milk and cookies girl all the way!
Looking for other chocolate desserts? Here are a few to try:
Healthier Baked Hot Chocolate Doughnuts
Lastly, if you make these Brown Butter Malted Chocolate Chunk Cookies be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Brown Butter Malted Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories Per Serving: 214 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup malted milk powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups chopped chocolate chunks or chips
- flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (if desired)
Instructions
- 1. Add 1 stick of butter to a small saucepan set over medium heat. Cook until the butter begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl. Stick in the freezer to chill, 10-15 minutes, but no longer.2. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the remaining stick of butter, the cooled browned butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until combined. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, until combined. Add the vanilla, beating until creamy. Add the flour, malted milk powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold in the chocolate chunks.4. Roll the dough into rounded 1 tablespoon size balls and place 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. 5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and tap the baking sheet on the counter 2 times to flatten them down. Return to the oven and bake another 1-3 minutes or until the cookies are just beginning to set on the edges, but still doughy in the center. Remove from the oven and tap the baking sheet on the counter 1-2 times to flatten them down again. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet. They will continue to cook slightly as they sit on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with flaky salt (if desired). Eat warm (highly recommended) or let cool and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
Freezing: the cookie dough balls can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw, then bake as directed.
Pan Bagging Method: adapted from New York Times by Sarah Kieffer.
These are the first successful cookies I’ve ever made. My friends and family loved them too and they were all hone within a day….that’s a good sign! Thank you for making your recipes true and easy to follow! HBH has changed my baking game..thank you x
Hey Rebecca,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, it makes me so happy that it was enjoyed. Happy Friday! xTieghan
Ok just made these and they turned out absolutely perfect! I followed the recipe exactly and mine were nice and flat so idk what the problem is with everyone else’s? It just might be my new favorite cookie! I loooove the brown butter taste!
Hey Samantha,
Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am delighted it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
I found the answer about malted milk in comments.
No need to reply
I grew up on malted milk as an after school snack. Shocked to find two kinds at the store. Chocolate and original. I took a guess. Is original the flavor to use in this recipe? Hope so, making them this afternoon
Please let me know what flavor to use
Missy
Hey Missy,
Either one will work, I used the regular. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Mine didn’t flatten either…much like the other comments. I also didn’t have the malt powder on hand; I need to get some! I wish I tasted the brown butter more, but regardless the cookies tasted delicious! Thanks for sharing another tasty recipe T?
Hey Lori,
I am so thrilled this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! Sorry these didn’t flatten, I would try gently pressing the dough down with your hand next time before baking. xTieghan
What kind of malted milk do you use? I notice there is regular or chocolate.
Hey Samantha,
I used regular malted milk powder. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
How much salt do I need to add if I’m using unsalted butter?
Hey there,
I would add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. I hope you love the recipe, let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Did you use chocolate or vanilla malted milk powder?
Hey there,
I used vanilla malted milk powder, but weather one will work just fine. I hope you love the recipe, let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Alas, it was not Mr Horsford, it was my error—I used baking powder instead of soda. My daughter loves them anyway. I’ll have to make them again.
Thanks for giving them a try!
Mine also sadly did not flatten. Also, did I miss credit to Ruth Wakefield for inventing the chocolate chip cookie? I didn’t see mention of Horsford who made baking easier with the invention of baking powder. Or perhaps he is to blame for mine not flattening.
Hey there,
Did you try the tapping trick? Let me know how I can help. xTieghan
They smell good, they taste good, but in no way to do they resemble the photo. They really didn’t flatten at all. Not sure what i am doing wrong!
Hey Carolyn,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe! Did you try the tapping of the pan trick? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
My son said these are one of the best cookies he’s ever had.
And the rest of the house is gobbling them up at an alarming rate. I guess I gotta make these again….like now.
Hey Karen,
Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that the recipe was enjoyed! Have a fantastic weekend! xTieghan
I love malted milk powder. Thank you for creating some unique recipes using it. It is nice to have ideas besides using it in milkshakes. I was curious to know where you purchase your malted milk powder. It is not an easy item to come by and would love to have some in my pantry.
Thank you for creating such tasty recipes that nourish our bodies and souls. Grateful for your gift.
Hey Aimee,
Thank you so much for your kind message!! I usually order my malted milk powder from Amazon. I hope this helps! xTieghan
Another amazing recipe! I bought the ingredients to make these right before the arrival of a new baby who decided to show up a week early! I was still determined to bake them after his birth, and am SO glad I did. Absolutely some of the best chocolate chips cookies I’ve ever had. The brown butter gives these SUCH a nice, subtle nutty flavor. Upon first taste, my husband said “omg, I could literally eat 10 of these”, and I agree! We did press the cookies down a tad bit before cooking since some commenters said their cookies didn’t flatten, but it wouldn’t have been necessary. The cookies still flattened nicely on their own/with the pan tapping. These are a must try!
Hey Tara,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for trying it out! Happy Friday! xTieghan
These were delicious! I made them this past Sunday and its now Thursday and they are still so good! Highly recommend eating the fresh out the oven though because they are even better!
Hey Hannah,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for trying it out! Happy Friday! xTieghan