Brown Butter Sugar Cookies with Chocolate Ganache

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies with Chocolate Ganache is an irresistible recipe. I’m a bit of a novice when it comes to baking, but about ten years ago I found this great recipe from Gourmet Magazine and it was all about brown butter. This cookie is delicate and the flavor is incredible. The original recipe calls for fruit preserves between the cookies and this is where I modified it with a chocolate center.

Who doesn’t love a chocolate ganache in between two perfect sugar cookies?

Ok, this post is a long one and there is a list of great recipes at the end. This tour today is hosted by Krista of The Happy Housie and I owe a lot to her the amazing job she did day after day on these great blog tours.

Throughout the year, I make a few cookies and these brown butter sugar cookies with chocolate ganache are one of them.

My family is rather fond of any sugar cookie. But these are one of my husband’s favorite cookie. But come to think of it, I can always place a shortbread cookie under my husband’s nose and he instantly wants to devour it with a cup of tea. This must be his English roots surfacing.

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies with Chocolate Ganache

But unlike most sugar cookie recipes, these brown butter sugar cookies with chocolate ganache adds a wonderful touch of brown butter which in my mind sets it apart from all the rest.

Maybe you are thinking, “I don’t know the first thing about brown butter!” And you might be intimadated. No worries you can make this recipe. But, I’m here to help you out.

Well, if you are like me you may have some questions about brown butter. Also, make sure to check out the really helpful video that I inserted towards the bottom of this post. It shows how to brown butter.

What is Brown Butter?

So, when unsalted butter is cooked on a stove, the milk solids in the butter with brown. The butter fills the air with a nutty aroma and you have a wonderful brown sauce that makes everything bolder and better.

How Long Does It Take to Make Brown Butter?

Cooking brown butter takes about 10 to 12 minutes on the stove. Once it starts to brown, make sure to watch it since it can turn pretty quickly to burnt brown butter!

Is My Brown Butter Burnt?

If you have specks of black solids then you have burnt it. Also if you cook it longer than 12 minutes you most likely will burn it, since it can turn quickly if you aren’t paying attention. Make sure to watch the video I have included in this post since they show to how to fix burnt butter.

Do You Use Salted or Unsalted Butter When Making Brown Butter?

Ok, Cook’s Illustrated did a whole bunch of research on this exact question and about halfway through their answer, my brain seized up! So, you can check out their results for yourself: unsalted butter vs salted butter when browning butter.

The ultimate conclusion is to use unsalted butter when browning butter.

Can You Make Brown Butter Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make brown butter ahead of time and it will last in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Let’s get baking!

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Brown Butter Sugar Cookies with Chocolate Ganache

This is a wonderful sugar cookie with the rich flavor of brown butter. Top it off with chocolate ganache, and you have a gourmet cookie that is so delicious and light.

Prep Time40 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Resting time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Baking, Brown Butter, Chocolate Ganache, Cookie, Dessert, Sugar Cookie

Servings: 30 sandwich cookies

Calories: 230kcal

Author: Happy Happy Nester

Ingredients

Cookie Ingredients

• 2 sticks 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt slightly rounded

Ganache Ingredients

• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tbs cream cheese
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Cookie Instructions

• Fill a large pot with cold water in sink.
• Melt butter in a 2- to 3- quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat and cook.
• To brown the butter, this will take 10 to 12 minutes. The butter will go through a few stages. Right before the butter browns it will develop a thick foam on the surface. Then it will become clear with big bubbles and the brown specks will form on the bottom of your pan. Stir frequently. Once the butter solids turn brown immediately remove pan from the stove and place in the pan with cold water.
• Cool butter and stir frequently until the butter becomes slightly opaque. This will take about 4 minutes.
• Remove pan from sink and add sugar and vanilla.
• Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and stir into the butter mixture until dough forms.
• Shape in a bowl and wrap with plastic and let rest at a cool room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Shaping the cookies is done with a spoon. Press the dough into a spoon and make sure to level off the top so that it is flat. Push lightly from the side of the spoon and move the dough out of the spoon and onto a cookie sheet. Place with the flat side down onto the sheet.
• Bake 8-15 minutes until just pale golden. Leave cookie sheet on rack for 5 minutes to cool. Once cool, transfer cookies on cookie rack.
• Once the cookies are cool, spread a thin layer of chocolate ganache on the flat side of a cookie.
• Top the chocolate with another cookie so it appears like a sandwich. Press the two cookies and filling gently together.

Ganache Instructions

• Place chocolate chips in a Pyrex measuring glass.
• Pour heavy cream over the chips and do not mix the ingredients together.
• Place in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute.
• Remove from microwave and let sit for 4-5 minutes.
• While the chocolate is cooling, mix cream cheese with a mixer.
• Add the vanilla extract and blend well.
• Add the powdered sugar and blend well.
• Once your chocolate is ready blend them together and add it to the sugar mixture and blend well.
• Recipe notes:
• Dough can be made 12 hours before baking and chilled. Bring to room temperature to soften slightly before forming cookies.
• Store cookies in the refrigerator for a couple of days.

Notes

Store cookies in the refrigerator for a couple of days.

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal

Tried this recipe?Mention @happyhappynester or tag #happyhappynester!

Make Sure to Watch This Video

This is a really helpful video that shows how to brown butter and how to fix burnt butter.

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Janine Waite

I named my blog Happy Happy Nester because I love everything related to the home. I’ve always enjoyed decorating my surroundings. Get cozy and stay for a bit, thanks for visiting!

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