Salted Brownie Cookies are a delightful treat that bring together the best of both worlds – the rich, fudgy texture of a brownie with the chewy, comforting feel of a cookie. These cookies have a deep chocolate flavor and a sprinkle of sea salt on top, which makes every bite perfectly balanced between sweet and salty.
I love making these cookies when I want something easy but special. The salt on top is my favorite touch because it adds a little surprise that keeps you coming back for more. I always find myself sneaking a couple before they even have a chance to cool completely!
These cookies are great to share with friends or bring along to a casual get-together. I often pair them with a glass of cold milk or a cup of coffee for a simple, satisfying snack. Whether you’re baking for yourself or others, Salted Brownie Cookies never fail to bring smiles around the kitchen.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chocolate: Semi-sweet chips or chopped dark chocolate work well here. Dark chocolate gives more intense flavor. If unavailable, use milk chocolate but expect a sweeter taste.
Butter: Unsalted butter lets you control salt better. You can use salted butter, but reduce added salt in the recipe slightly.
Sugar: Granulated sugar creates a nice texture and crackly top. Brown sugar can be mixed in for a bit of chewiness and deeper flavor.
Flour & Cocoa Powder: All-purpose flour provides the right structure. Unsweetened cocoa powder packs chocolate flavor. If you’re in a pinch, Dutch-processed cocoa can be used but expect a smoother chocolate taste.
Flaky Sea Salt: This topping adds a crunchy, salty contrast that highlights the chocolate. If you don’t have flaky salt, use a sprinkle of kosher salt or omit it for a classic sweet cookie.
How Can I Get Soft Yet Crinkly Brownie Cookies?
Balancing soft and crackly textures can feel tricky, but here’s what helps:
- Don’t overmix your dough. Stir just until dry ingredients combine. Overmixing can make cookies tough.
- Bake at the right temperature. 350°F is perfect to set edges while keeping the middle soft.
- Watch baking time closely. Bake 10-12 minutes until cookies look set but still soft in center.
- Cool on baking sheet first. They will firm up as they sit, helping keep that fudgy center while a delicate crust forms outside.
With these tips, your salted brownie cookies will have that dreamy chewy inside and cracking outside every time.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – having two helps keep wet and dry ingredients separate for easy mixing.
- Whisk – great for blending eggs, sugar, and vanilla smoothly without lumps.
- Heatproof bowl – perfect for melting chocolate and butter gently over a double boiler.
- Baking sheets – use heavy-duty ones for even baking without burning the cookie bottoms.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats – prevent sticking and help cookies bake evenly.
- Cookie scoop or spoon – for dropping evenly sized dough portions and consistent cookies.
- Wire cooling rack – lets the cookies cool properly so they don’t get soggy.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Add chopped toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture contrast.
- Mix in a handful of chocolate chunks or white chocolate chips to boost melt-in-your-mouth gooeyness.
- For extra depth, stir in 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder or instant coffee granules to enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Try sprinkling cinnamon or chili powder on top before baking for a warm or spicy twist.
How to Make Salted Brownie Cookies?
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or coarsely chopped dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (90g) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (35g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling on top
Time Needed:
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 10-12 minutes to bake. Add a few extra minutes for cooling. In all, you’ll spend around 30 minutes from start to finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to keep your cookies from sticking.
2. Melt Chocolate and Butter:
In a medium heatproof bowl, gently melt the chocolate and butter together using a double boiler or microwave in short stops, stirring until smooth. Let it cool a bit so it doesn’t cook your eggs in the next step.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
4. Combine Chocolate Mixture:
Pour the melted chocolate and butter into the egg and sugar mixture. Stir everything together until well blended.
5. Add Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until everything is combined. Avoid overmixing.
6. Shape and Salt the Cookies:
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle each mound lightly with flaky sea salt for that lovely salty crunch.
7. Bake and Cool:
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. The tops should look set but centers still slightly soft. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
These cookies are wonderful enjoyed warm with a gooey chocolate center and the perfect hint of saltiness. Perfect with a glass of milk or your favorite coffee!
Can I Use Frozen Chocolate Chips?
Yes, you can use frozen chocolate chips, but make sure to let them come to room temperature before melting so they melt evenly and don’t seize up.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them fresher longer, you can also refrigerate them for up to a week.
Can I Substitute Butter with Oil?
You can substitute melted coconut oil for butter in an equal amount, but the taste and texture may change slightly. Butter gives the best rich, fudgy flavor in these cookies.
Is It Okay to Skip the Flaky Sea Salt on Top?
Absolutely! The sea salt adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness, but if you prefer sweeter cookies, feel free to skip it or sprinkle with regular table salt sparingly.
