Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are a cozy, oven-warmed moment. I designed them for busy families and professionals who crave homey flavor. This recipe leans into browned butter for depth and pumpkin for moisture. Chocolate chips finish the cookie with a warm, inviting melt. Chill-friendly dough helps you batch-bake in advance for weeknights. In this guide, you’ll find practical steps and quick make-ahead tips. I share smart tweaks to troubleshoot cookie-spread questions, so you feel confident.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What Make This Recipe It Special
A warm, relatable introduction
In my kitchen, Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies feel like a hug and a spark of autumn. I love how browned butter partners with pumpkin purée, deepening flavor without heaviness. Chocolate chips melt into the dough, gifting pockets of warmth. It’s cozy, practical baking that travels well for school events or late nights.
Why this recipe fits a busy life
Why this recipe fits a busy life? It’s forgiving. The dough chills, batches bake, and stay tender. With a simple technique, I turn a quick batch into a handful of smiles. I’ve handed these cookies to teammates after long days and watched the room light up.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Benefits at a glance
I trade fuss for function with Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. Browned butter adds depth, pumpkin keeps every bite tender, and chocolate chips deliver a melty finish. The dough chills, so you can batch-bake or prep ahead.
Flavor that comforts and impresses
Each bite carries nutty aroma, a pumpkin-spiced hug, and melty chocolate pockets that wow crowds. It tastes like autumn and home, even when you’re juggling meetings, bedtime, and weeknight chaos. Texture stays tender, even after a busy day—it’s a celebration in every bite.
Ingredients
I keep the ingredients simple and precise for Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies you can trust.
Exact quantities are at the bottom of this post and in the printable recipe card.
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
These measurements work together for chewy centers and lightly crisp edges in Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.
How to Make Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Brown the Butter
In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir constantly until it turns amber and smells nutty. Let it cool slightly before using. This browned butter base gives depth to Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Step 2: Cream sugars with browning butter and pumpkin
Add the browned butter to a large bowl. Whisk in pumpkin purée, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk until smooth and glossy. This step keeps the cookies soft and chewy inside.
Step 3: Add egg yolk and vanilla extract
Step 3 content here

Tips for Success
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to minimize spreading and improve shape for Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- Don’t overmix after adding dry ingredients to keep cookies tender.
- Bake until edges are set and centers stay soft for chewy texture, especially if your oven runs hot.
- Line with parchment or a silicone mat for even baking and easy release.
- Portion into 1.5-tablespoon balls and chill; bake from chilled or frozen for quick weeknights.
Equipment Needed
I keep this lean, reliable set on hand for Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. It helps me batch-bake, cut cleanly, and clean up fast after a busy day.
- Baking sheet(s) and parchment paper or silicone mat
- Medium skillet for browning butter
- Large mixing bowl and whisk or electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
Variations
Variations keep Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies flexible for busy kitchens.
I reach for easy swaps when I want a different bite without starting over.
- Swap ½ cup butterscotch chips for a different sweetness note in Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- Use dairy-free butter to make a vegan-friendly version; substitute the egg yolk with ¼ cup applesauce.
- Add ¼ teaspoon ground ginger for a warm spice kick that plays well with pumpkin and cinnamon.
- Use pecans in place of walnuts for a lighter, toastier crunch.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Pair them with a mug of chai or pumpkin spice latte.
- Bundle into small gift tins for fall-friendly gifts.
Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: Make-Ahead Tips and Pairings
I love turning Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies into a flexible habit. Make-ahead tips save time and keep flavor bright.
Make-Ahead Dough
Make-ahead dough can be chilled up to three days, which fits busy calendars. Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies respond well to chilling.
Freezing and Bake Times
Portion and freeze dough balls up to two months, then bake from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes.
Test Sheets and Oven Calibration
Bake a small test sheet to gauge spread if your oven runs hot.
Gifting and Pairings
Gifting ideas: wrap cookies in parchment with a cinnamon-scented ribbon. For gifting, Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies travel nicely.
Pair them with coffee or warm cider for a ready-made treat.
Everyday Finish
I stash extras for last-minute meetings or school events; everyone wins. These cookies, Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, prove simple prep tastes special.

FAQs
Why do Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies spread so much?
Several factors cause Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies to spread. Some are within your control, others are oven quirks. Key culprits are warm dough, too much pumpkin moisture, or too little flour.
Chill the dough 30 minutes to 1 hour, then bake from cold. This helps set the edges first while the centers stay soft.
Make sure your oven temp is accurate and use parchment. This helps the cookies bake evenly and hold their shape.
Why did my Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies spread so much?
Chilling is your friend with Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. If you skip chilling, the butter stays fluid and invites spreading.
Overmixing can also loosen the dough; mix until just combined. Ensure pumpkin purée isn’t watery; blot with a towel if needed.
Verify oven temperature; bake on parchment for even heat. A little restraint with mixing pays off in shape.
Why did my Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies spread?
Too much butter or too little flour invites excess spread. Adjust by adding a tablespoon more flour or chilling longer.
Use room-temperature ingredients, not hot or too cold. Bake until edges set and centers stay soft for chewy texture.
Why do my Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies spread?
Humidity and pan type can influence spread. Dark pans bake hotter, so rotate sheets and check oven calibration.
If cookies spread, try a slightly higher flour ratio and retest. Small tweaks make a big difference in the final shape.
Final Thoughts
Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies have become my go-to comfort when time is tight. I love that the browned butter adds depth, while pumpkin purée keeps the centers tender and forgiving. If a weeknight bake feels like a big project, this recipe hugs you with simple steps, smart chilling, and dependable results. The real reward is the warm aroma, the rush of happy crumbs, and the smiles around the table. Bake these cookies often, tweak them to your taste, and enjoy the sense of home they bring to your busy days. May they spark laughter and slow, sweet moments.
Print
Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies:5 epic bold wow.
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: ~18 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy treats with a rich browned-butter flavor, cozy pumpkin notes, and melty chocolate chips.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the browned butter, pumpkin purée, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, and whisk until fully combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and optional nuts.
- Cover the dough and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop the dough into balls (about 1.5 tablespoons each) and place on the baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Chilling the dough helps prevent excessive spread and improves shape.
- Edges will be lightly set while centers remain soft for chewy cookies.
- Yield is about 18 cookies; for larger batches, multiply accordingly.
- Optional nuts add a nice crunch and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (about 1.5 tablespoons dough)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 32 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, pumpkin cookies, brown butter, fall cookies, pumpkin chocolate chip