Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookie Bars
Why would you settle for a basic chocolate chip cookie when you could have a chewy brown butter chocolate chip toffee cookie bar?
Are you basic? No. You’re a rockstar. Your chocolate chip cookies should be too.
What gives these rockstar status? Everything. First, the brown butter. If you haven’t discovered the difference browning your butter makes we need to talk. It makes all the difference. Warm, nutty deliciousness. Second, dark brown sugar. Dark brown sugar has more molasses than light brown sugar giving it a deeper, extra chewy flavor and texture. Third, toffee bits. I don’t think I need to explain why toffee bits are awesome. You should already know this. Fourth, sea salt. A sprinkle of sea salt over anything involving chocolate is always a good idea. And last, but certainly, not least, it’s a cookie bar. Cookies are boring. Cookie bars are sensational.
All these elements come together and BOOM. Say goodbye to basic.
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookie Bars
Makes 12 large bars or 24 small bars
You’ll need:
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, browned and cooled
2 cups dark brown sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 egg yolk, at room temperature
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup toffee bits
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (any kind will work-I use dark chocolate)
Flaked sea salt for finishing
To brown the butter, place 1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter in a medium sized skillet. Melt the butter over medium heat, whisking constantly for 5 to 6 minutes. The butter will foam up and begin to smell nutty. You’ll see light colored colored specks at the bottom of the pan. Pour the butter in a heat safe bowl, making sure to get all the browned specs (see photo above). Set aside and let it cool to room temperature.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line at 9x13 inch pan with foil or parchment paper. This allows you to get the bars out easily for cutting.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and kosher salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the browned butter and dark brown sugar till combined. Add the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla. Whisk till smooth.
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon till just combined.
Add the toffee bits and chocolate chips. Stir till everything comes together.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, pressing it evenly to the edges. Bake for about 25 minutes, till the edges have lightly browned. Remove the pan from the oven and place on a wire rack.
Sprinkle the warm bars with flaked sea salt.
Allow the bars to cool before lifting out and cutting.