Bourbon Butter Cookies with Gooey Chocolate Chips – Boozy Bake Heaven

Posted on October 1, 2025

Stack of chewy Bourbon Butter Cookies with gooey chocolate chips, golden edges, and rich bourbon flavor, the perfect boozy twist on a classic chocolate chip cookie.

If there’s one cookie that can turn a regular Tuesday into a full-on celebration of life, it’s these gooey bourbon browned butter chocolate chip cookies. Soft, chewy, a little smoky, with melty puddles of chocolate and that irresistible hit of bourbon… these might just be my favorite cookie ever.

Now, if you’ve been hanging around my blog for a while, you already know I’ve got a thing for bourbon. Especially fat washed bourbon — the magical little trick that turns everyday whiskey into liquid gold. I first introduced the method in my Fig Manhattan cocktail recipe (still one of my all-time favorites). It’s super simple and transforms bourbon with a buttery, velvety depth that’s just unreal.

But here’s the kicker: one of the side effects of fat washing bourbon is that the butter you skim off the top after freezing is basically a golden ticket. A secret ingredient. Baking gold. And that, friends, is how these cookies were born.

Why Bourbon Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Work

So why go through the extra step of browning butter and splashing bourbon in your cookie dough? Simple.

Depth of flavor: Brown butter already brings that nutty, toasty richness. Add bourbon, and suddenly your cookie dough has layers of flavor you’d never get from regular butter.
Salty + sweet balance: That buttery bourbon has this savory edge that pairs ridiculously well with sweet chocolate.
Boozy vibes without the buzz: Don’t worry — the alcohol cooks off. What you’re left with is the cozy, warm flavor of bourbon minus the hangover. Win-win.

Think of these as the classy cousin of the chocolate chip cookie. The one who rolls up to the holiday party in a velvet blazer, sipping a Brandy Old Fashioned, while everyone else is just wearing ugly sweaters.

The Story Behind the Recipe

This recipe came together thanks to two inspirations:

Fat washed bourbon (aka my obsession).
My friend Erin (aka The Spiffy Cookie), who’s basically the cookie queen. Her endless variations of chocolate chip cookies convinced me it was finally time to throw my own boozy twist into the mix.

And here we are. Bourbon Butter Cookies that are chewy, gooey, and straight-up addictive.

Ingredients You’ll Need (and Why They Matter)

Here’s what makes these cookies next-level.

2 sticks unsalted butter – Because butter is life. We’re browning it, which means nutty, toasty, caramel vibes.
2 shots bourbon – Use what you’ve got, but I love something smooth like Maker’s Mark or Crown Royal.
1 cup brown sugar + ¼ cup white sugar – Brown sugar for chewiness, white sugar for crisp edges. Balance, baby.
¼ cup maple syrup – This is my secret weapon. Adds richness and that subtle smoky-sweet vibe.
1 tbsp vanilla extract – Non-negotiable.
1 egg + 1 egg yolk – The yolk makes these cookies ultra-rich and tender.
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour – Your cookie backbone.
1 tsp baking soda + 1 tsp salt – Because chemistry.
2–3 cups dark chocolate chips – IMO, the darker the better. Go big or go home.

How to Make Bourbon Browned Butter Cookies

Brown the butter: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden and smells nutty. Don’t walk away — it goes from perfect to burnt faster than you can say “oops.”
Add the bourbon: Stir in two shots of bourbon (don’t exceed four — this is a cookie, not a cocktail). Let cool completely.
Mix the dough: Beat the butter with sugars, maple syrup, vanilla, and eggs until smooth. Slowly add flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips.
Chill out: Scoop dough balls onto a pan and chill at least an hour. Overnight if you can stand the wait.
Bake: 375°F for 12 minutes. They’ll look slightly underbaked — that’s exactly what you want.
Cool + devour: Let them set for a few minutes before face-planting.

What Makes These Cookies So Irresistible?

They’ve got the melty, gooey centers of classic Smoked Chocolate Chip Cookies, but with a grown-up bourbon kick.
They’re both cozy dessert recipes and show-stoppers at parties.
They’re customizable (keep reading for fun variations).

Basically, if you want the cookie that everyone asks you for at potlucks, this is it.

Pro Tips for Cookie Success

Chill the dough: Don’t skip this step. It gives the flavors time to develop and keeps your cookies thick and chewy.
Use quality chocolate: Dark or semi-sweet chunks > basic chocolate chips.
Don’t overbake: Pull them when they look slightly underdone. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Smell test: If the bourbon aroma in the dough feels too strong, don’t stress. It mellows beautifully in the oven.

Fun Variations to Try

Brown Butter S’mores Cookies: Swap some chocolate chips for chunks of graham crackers + mini marshmallows.
Whiskey Brown Butter Cookies: Try rye or Crown Royal Chocolate Chip Cookies for a different boozy flavor profile.
Booze Cookies Mix-Up: Add a shot of spiced rum for a warmer, molasses-y twist.
Fall Vibes: Stir in chopped pecans or dried cherries.

Best Way to Serve

These cookies shine on their own, but you can absolutely turn them into a next-level dessert moment:

Sandwich with vanilla ice cream.
Dip in coffee or hot cocoa (trust me).
Plate them warm with a drizzle of salted caramel for a holiday-worthy treat.

Storage + Leftovers

Room temp: Store in an airtight container for 4–5 days.
Freezer: Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months. Just bake straight from frozen (add 1–2 minutes).
Reheat: A 10-second microwave zap = gooey centers all over again.

FAQs

Q: Can I make these without bourbon?
Yep! Just brown the butter and skip the booze. You’ll still get incredible nutty flavor.

Q: Can I use whiskey instead of bourbon?
Absolutely. Any whiskey works — this becomes a killer Whiskey Cookies Recipe.

Q: Do these actually taste boozy?
Nope. The bourbon flavor is subtle, rich, and warm, not in-your-face boozy. Perfect balance.

Q: Can I use a flavored whiskey?
Go for it. Vanilla or maple whiskeys make especially delicious Bourbon Butter Cookies.

Final Bite

These Bourbon Butter Cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with gooey chocolate, but it’s the browned bourbon butter that steals the show. Think Booze Cookies that feel indulgent, cozy, and just a little fancy — the ultimate grown-up twist on a childhood favorite.

So pour yourself a cocktail (maybe a Brandy Old Fashioned) and get baking. Because once you’ve tried these, no regular chocolate chip cookie will ever measure up.