Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
These Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies are the perfect fall treat, featuring a soft and gooey center with crispy edges and studded with melty chocolate chips. The rich, nutty flavor of brown butter combined with the warmth of pumpkin and spices creates a deliciously cozy cookie that’s impossible to resist.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
All-purpose flour
Old-fashioned rolled oats
Pumpkin pie spice
Cinnamon
Baking soda
Baking powder
Salt
Salted butter
Brown sugar, light or dark
Granulated sugar
Pumpkin puree
Egg yolk
Vanilla extract
Chocolate chips
Flaky sea salt, for topping
Why You’ll Love Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies:
Rich, Nutty Flavor: The brown butter adds a deep, nutty flavor that perfectly complements the warmth of pumpkin and spices, creating a cookie with layers of delicious taste.
Soft and Gooey Center: These cookies have a perfectly soft and gooey center that melts in your mouth, providing a delightful contrast to the crispy edges.
Crispy Edges: The crispy edges add a satisfying crunch to each bite, making these cookies a textural treat that’s both comforting and addictive.
Melty Chocolate Chips: Studded with melty chocolate chips, these cookies deliver bursts of chocolatey goodness in every bite, elevating them to an indulgent treat.
Perfect Fall Flavors: The combination of pumpkin, spices, and brown butter makes these cookies the ideal fall dessert, capturing the cozy essence of the season.
Great for Gifting: These cookies are not only delicious but also beautiful, making them a perfect homemade gift for friends and family during the holiday season.
Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet flavor, these cookies are easy to make with simple ingredients, making them an ideal choice for both novice and experienced bakers.
Versatile Treat: Enjoy these cookies as a sweet snack, a dessert, or even with your morning coffee—they’re perfect for any time of day.
Kid-Friendly: The soft, gooey texture and chocolatey goodness make these cookies a hit with kids, making them a great option for lunchbox treats or after-school snacks.
Crowd-Pleaser: These cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering, from casual get-togethers to holiday parties, thanks to their irresistible flavor and texture.
Tips for Making Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies:
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your eggs and butter (before browning) are at room temperature. This helps the ingredients blend more smoothly, resulting in a consistent dough and even baking.
Brown the Butter Carefully: When browning the butter, watch it closely and stir frequently until it turns a golden brown and has a nutty aroma. This step is crucial for developing the deep, rich flavor that makes these cookies special.
Chill the Dough: After mixing the dough, chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours (ideally 2-4 hours). Chilling helps the flavors meld and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring a soft, gooey center with crispy edges.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour and oats, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies instead of the soft and gooey texture you’re aiming for.
Use Rolled Oats for Texture: For the best texture, use rolled oats rather than quick oats. Rolled oats provide a chewier bite, which adds to the overall experience of the cookie.
Fold in the Chocolate Chips Last: Gently fold in the chocolate chips at the end to avoid breaking them up. This ensures that the chips stay intact and create those perfect melty pockets in the cookies.
Bake Until Edges Are Golden: To achieve the perfect crispy edges with a soft center, bake the cookies just until the edges are golden brown, even if the centers look slightly underbaked. The cookies will continue to set as they cool.
Allow Cookies to Cool on the Baking Sheet: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps the cookies firm up without losing their soft, gooey center.
Adjust Baking Time for Preferences: If you prefer a chewier cookie, bake for a minute or two less. For a slightly crispier cookie, extend the baking time by a minute. This allows you to customize the texture to your liking.
Store Properly for Freshness: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft, you can add a slice of bread to the container. The bread will help maintain the cookies’ moisture.
How to Store Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies:
Room Temperature Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To maintain their soft and gooey texture, add a slice of bread to the container—the bread will absorb excess moisture and keep the cookies fresh.
Refrigeration: If you prefer a longer storage time, place the cookies in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 1 week. Before serving, let the cookies come to room temperature or warm them slightly in the microwave to restore their gooey center.
Freezing Baked Cookies: To freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container, where they can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven for a fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Freezing Cookie Dough: For convenience, freeze the cookie dough before baking. Scoop the dough into individual portions, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag, and store for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, you can bake the cookies directly from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating Cookies: To restore the soft and gooey texture of the cookies, warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes, or microwave individual cookies for 10-15 seconds. This will refresh the cookies and bring out the melty chocolate chips.
Serving Warm with Milk: For the ultimate indulgence, serve the cookies warm with a glass of milk. Warming the cookies brings out the rich flavors of the brown butter and pumpkin, making them even more irresistible.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
A: Yes, you can use quick oats, but rolled oats are recommended for a chewier texture. Quick oats will result in a softer, less textured cookie.
Q: How do I know when the brown butter is ready?
A: The brown butter is ready when it turns a golden brown color and has a nutty aroma. Be sure to stir continuously and remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches this stage to avoid burning.
Q: Can I substitute the pumpkin with something else?
A: You can substitute the pumpkin with mashed sweet potatoes or even applesauce for a different flavor profile, though the texture and taste will vary slightly.
Q: How do I keep the cookies soft and gooey after baking?
A: To keep the cookies soft and gooey, store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The bread will help maintain moisture, keeping the cookies fresh for several days.
Q: Can I freeze the cookie dough for later?
A: Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. Scoop it into portions, freeze on a baking sheet, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake the dough directly from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Q: What’s the best way to reheat the cookies?
A: To reheat the cookies and restore their gooey texture, warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes, or microwave individual cookies for 10-15 seconds.
Q: Can I add nuts to the recipe?
A: Absolutely! Adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans will add a delightful crunch and complement the flavors of the brown butter and pumpkin.
Q: How long will these cookies stay fresh?
A: These cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can refrigerate or freeze them.
Q: Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
A: Yes, chilling the dough for at least 1 hour helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and ensures a soft center with crispy edges.
Q: Can I use white chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips?
A: Yes, white chocolate chips can be a delicious alternative, adding a sweeter and creamier flavor to the cookies. Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate to suit your taste.
Check out my other fall recipes on Instagram:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make these brown butter pumpkin oatmeal cookies. Happy baking!
