These Brown Butter Toffee Cookies are rich, nutty, and packed with bits of crunchy toffee. Browning the butter adds a deep, caramel-like flavor, which perfectly complements the sweet toffee pieces. The cookies are crispy on the edges and soft in the center, making them a satisfying treat for any occasion. Whether you're baking for a party, holiday, or just because, these cookies will be an instant hit.
Brown the butter. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir constantly until it turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.
Mix wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk the browned butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Add the toffee bits. Gently fold in the toffee bits and nuts (if using).
Chill the dough. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes to help the flavors develop and prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
Preheat the oven. While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Form the cookies. Scoop the dough into 1.5-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are still soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Chilling helps control the cookie spread and intensifies the flavor. Brown butter can quickly turn to burnt butter, so keep an eye on it and remove it from the heat once you smell the nutty aroma. A light dusting of sea salt on the warm cookies can enhance the sweetness and balance the flavors. For the best flavor, use high-quality toffee bits.