Brown Butter Coffee Toffee Cookies Recipe | Chewy & Delicious

I just finished baking a batch of Brown Butter Coffee Toffee Cookies Recipe and I’m still savoring every last crumb. The warm nuttiness of browned butter, the subtle coffee kick, and that sweet toffee crunch made my kitchen smell heavenly. This recipe turned out better than I expected—and honestly, I can’t wait to share it with you.

It’s simple enough for a casual afternoon bake yet fancy enough to impress guests. Whether you’re a pro baker or just starting out, these cookies will win you over with their rich flavor and chewy-crisp texture. If you enjoy cozy holiday flavors, you’ll also love my Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe for a warm and festive morning treat.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need—and why each ingredient matters:

½ cup (113.5 g) unsalted butter – Browning the butter creates a deep, nutty caramel flavor that sets these cookies apart.
¾ cup (165 g) brown sugar – Adds moisture and a rich sweetness from the molasses.
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar – Helps form lightly crisp edges while balancing the brown sugar’s depth.
1 large egg (room temperature) – Binds ingredients and adds richness for that perfect chewy texture.
½ tablespoon vanilla extract – Enhances all the flavors and gives a comforting aroma.
¼ teaspoon baking powder – Lifts the cookies just enough without making them cakey.
½ teaspoon baking soda – Works with the brown sugar’s acidity for the ideal rise and browning.
½ teaspoon salt – Brings out the sweetness and balances all the flavors.
1¼ cups (175 g) all-purpose flour – Provides structure and stability to the dough.
1 tablespoon espresso powder – Infuses a subtle coffee flavor that complements the toffee beautifully.
½ cup (80 g) toffee bits with chocolate (like Heath bits) – Adds a buttery crunch and melty chocolate pockets.
Flaked sea salt – A finishing touch that makes every bite more complex and delicious.

Note: Recipe makes several servings—perfect for sharing or storing for later.

Variations

Want to make this recipe your own? Here are some fun options:

Dairy-free: Use vegan butter that browns well; it still creates nutty notes but watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
Sugar-reduced: Use a light brown sugar substitute and reduce granulated sugar slightly for less sweetness.
Gluten-free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend; texture will remain close to the original.
Add-ins: Mix in chopped dark chocolate, pecans, or a hint of orange zest for extra flavor depth.

Cooking Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 11–13 minutes per batch
Total Time: 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling time)

Equipment You Need

You’ll only need a few kitchen essentials:

Medium saucepan – For browning the butter to perfection.
Stand mixer or hand mixer – To cream butter and sugar into a light, fluffy base.
Mixing bowls – For combining wet and dry ingredients separately.
Baking sheets lined with parchment paper – To ensure cookies bake evenly without sticking.
Wire cooling rack – Keeps cookies crisp while they cool.

How to Make Brown Butter Coffee Toffee Cookies

Step 1: Brown the Butter

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly as it foams and turns golden brown. When it smells nutty and you see brown bits at the bottom, remove from heat. Pour into a bowl, scraping in all those flavorful browned bits, and stir in the espresso powder while warm.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

Let the browned butter cool slightly, then beat it with brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving that perfect chewy-crisp balance in the finished cookies.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy. This creates a creamy, cohesive base for your dough and enhances the buttery flavor.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep your cookies tender.

Step 5: Fold in Toffee Bits

Gently fold in the toffee bits using a spatula. The goal is to distribute them evenly throughout the dough without breaking them up too much.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Scoop the dough into balls and place them on a tray. Chill for at least an hour (or overnight for deeper flavor). Chilling prevents excess spreading and helps the flavors develop fully.

Step 7: Bake

Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Arrange dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving enough space between each. Sprinkle lightly with flaked sea salt. Bake for 11–13 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers look slightly soft.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. They’ll firm up as they cool while staying perfectly chewy inside.

Additional Tips for Making This Recipe Better

After making these cookies several times, I’ve learned a few tricks:

Chill the dough overnight if possible—the flavor gets deeper and the cookies bake more evenly.
Don’t rush browning the butter; stir constantly until you see amber specks at the bottom.
Always use good-quality espresso powder for a smoother coffee taste.
Add sea salt right before baking—it creates those Instagram-worthy sparkles and balances sweetness.
Pull cookies from the oven while the centers still look soft—they’ll finish cooking as they cool.

If you enjoy comforting desserts that are make-ahead friendly, you’ll love trying the Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe—it’s just as cozy and perfect for brunch or a sweet morning treat.

How to Serve Brown Butter Coffee Toffee Cookies

These cookies are heavenly straight out of the oven with a hot cup of coffee. You can also serve them alongside vanilla ice cream or caramel gelato for a decadent dessert. For an elegant touch, drizzle them with melted dark chocolate or espresso caramel. Stack a few in a jar tied with twine—they make perfect edible gifts for holidays or birthdays.

Nutritional Information

Each cookie (approximate):

Calories: 190
Protein: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 23 g
Fat: 10 g

They’re indulgent, yes—but so worth every bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing: Once cooled, keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer with parchment to prevent sticking and preserve their crisp edges.

Freezing: Scoop dough balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once firm, transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll last up to 3 months—just bake directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time.

Reheating: Warm baked cookies in a 300 °F oven for 3–5 minutes or microwave for 10 seconds to revive that just-baked goodness.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are plenty of reasons this cookie recipe deserves a spot in your favorites list:

Rich, layered flavor: Browned butter, espresso, and toffee come together to create a depth of flavor that’s both cozy and sophisticated.
Perfect texture: Crispy edges meet chewy centers, giving you the best of both worlds in every bite.
Foolproof and flexible: The method is simple, and you can easily tweak it for dietary preferences or flavor variations.
Make-ahead friendly: Chill or freeze the dough—fresh cookies are just minutes away whenever you crave them.
Crowd-pleasing: These cookies are an instant hit whether for a bake sale, party, or cozy night in.

If you love the combination of buttery, nutty sweetness with a hint of coffee, these Brown Butter Coffee Toffee Cookies are a must-bake. Every bite feels like comfort, warmth, and just the right amount of indulgence. Trust me—once you make them, they’ll become your go-to cookie recipe for every occasion.

Ash Tyrrell