YOU GUYS. These cookies are my new favorite thing ever ever ever. Oh my goodness. Like I can't even contain my excitement. I know what you're thinking... "Smoked salt? In a cookie? Are you crazy?" Nope, not crazy. Hear me out. I know if you've ever come across smoked salt and smelled it, the only thing you could think of was southern mesquite barbecue, but I promise y'all I'm not insane for putting it in cookies. Because, you see, when combined with sugary dough, bittersweet 85% dark chocolate, and nutty browned butter, the only way I can describe what happens is magic. Pure magic. These cookies will straight up change your life.
Me and this chocolate chip cookie recipe go way back.... at least, me and the original, regular-salt-and-regular-butter version do. You see, this recipe is originally from SmittenKitchen and it is THE recipe that introduced me to food blogging. I don't know if every blogger has that or remembers it, that spark of inspiration that made you think "Hmm... I wanna do that!" But well, here is mine. Gorgeously photographed and completely delicious chocolate chip cookies. I honestly have not made a different recipe since. I blogged this recipe in 2013, but I figured it was time to revisit and rephotograph and perhaps change things up a bit.
I stumbled upon this jar of Applewood Smoked Sea Salt probably... hmmm... 6 months ago. I was at my local Marshall's and I spotted it in the very back of a bottom clearance shelf with a glorious red $2 sticker on it. What was I gonna do with it? No idea. I just knew it had to come home with me. Hello, my name is Valentina and I'm definitely not an impulsive shopper in any way. I knew I wanted to incorporate it in some sort of dessert for a sweet-and-salty contrast, but I didn't come around to actually using it until now. But y'all, I might have to stock up because I think I will be making these cookies every single week from now on. I can't get enough. I made them yesterday afternoon and they are already all gone. Less than 24 hours. That's what happens to chocolate chip cookies in a house with 4 girls.
But, okay, long story short, you simply must make these cookies at the earliest time possible. They definitely taste like chocolate chip cookies, don't be fooled by the smoked salt and browned butter. Just like... fancy chocolate chip cookies. Gourmet chocolate chip cookies. Think of them as the adult, new-and-improved version of your childhood favorites. Like I said, these will totally change your life.
smoked salt & browned butter chocolate chip cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon smoked salt plus more to sprinkle on top
- ¾ cup unsalted butter browned {at room temp}
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups dark chocolate chopped
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, smoked salt, and baking soda. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the browned butter and sugars, and beat until well-incorporated.
- Add in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, and beat until light and fluffy. Add in the dry ingredients, and mix until combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chunks, and place dough in the fridge for 30 or more minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 325F. Scoop tablespoonfuls of dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment or silicone sheets, placing 12 per pan. Sprinkle additional smoked salt on top.
- Bake 10-12 minutes, until light golden and almost set. They will solidify as they cool off! Let cool slightly on pans, then transfer onto a wire rack to finish cooling. Enjoy!
Sharana @ Living The Sweet Life Blog says
Mmmmmm perfect flavour combo!! I could do with a cookie, right now!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
I love the combo of salt + chocolate. These cookies are a winner!
Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder says
OMG, you're in Texas and going into the medical field? Me too! 😀 I'm SO excited to see fellow med bloggers and always take a special interest. Feel free to ask me questions about med school apps/life
Actually, I'm old - I'm already a 3rd year med student at Baylor in Houston haha. I blog about med school life (ugh boards!) in my foodblog 🙂
Anyways, this looks delicious. I'm a big fan of choc chip cookies, although I haven't tried them w/ sea salt. Bucket list!!
--Natalie
[email protected] says
Ahhh yes! More specifically I'm pre-PA but it's really quite frightening how many people still don't know what that is... so I just say pre-med and specify if they ask 😉 But that is so exciting! Baylor has a PA program and I'm definitely going to be applying. Can you imagine if we ended up at the same school?! Small world! I'll be creeping your blog for med stuff (and delicious recipes) for sure. Thanks for stopping by! <3
Mary @chattavore says
Chocolate chip cookies, smoked salt, and brown butter are three of my very favorite things. I want these RIGHT NOW! They look amazing!!
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says
Anything with browned butter! Oh my goodness. These are gorgeous!!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Oooh I'm loving these "fancy" cookies!! Never tried smoked salt before, but I need to, I can only imagine how great it tastes in these cookies!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
My head is spinning with all the sweet and salty wonderfulness going on here! Browned butter in cookies? So. Perfect. Pinning!!
Aimee says
These look amazing! I will try to make them this weekend. 🙂
Erika Madden says
Oh. no. you. didn't. These sound like HEAVEN. Amazing recipe, I can't wait to try it!
Margaret Anne @ Natural Chow says
I hardly ever make cookies for fear that I'll screw them up completely. So I think this year I'm going to try making more cookies, and these are first on the list. P.S. Brown butter makes everything better!!!
Jessica says
Hi there Valentina!
First off, these cookies look divine! What a perfect combination--chocolate, sea salt, and brown butter! I can't wait to try this recipe! I have been following your blog for a few weeks now, and I have to say--your blog is so inspiring and beautiful!
I really appreciate all the intentional pictures and personal details. I'm writing a blog for a marketing class this semester and your posts are really inspiring to me. I hope your schooling is going well this semester!
Jessica says
I would love it if you checked my blog out!
http://flowerandflour.blogspot.com
Sarah @ Sarah's Bake Studio says
These look delicious. They sound delicious. I've never had a Smoked Salt & Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie, but now I want one! Pinned!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Ooooohhh! I made shortbread cookies one time with smoked salt and they were SO good. But these look even better.... hello chocolate! 😉