Decadent Toffee-Chocolate Chunk Cookies

1. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets

Adjust your oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 375°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.

2. Mix dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking soda. This helps distribute the baking soda evenly throughout the flour, ensuring your cookies rise properly.

3. Brown the butter

Next, take a 10-inch skillet and heat 10 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Cook the butter until it browns, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes. You'll know it's ready when it has a deep golden brown color and a rich, nutty aroma. Transfer the browned butter to a large heatproof bowl and stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter until melted.

4. Combine butter with sugars, salt, and vanilla

To the melted butter, add the dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully combined, then add the large egg and large egg yolk. Whisk for about 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth, then let it stand for 3 minutes. Repeat this process of whisking and resting two more times.

5. Combine wet and dry ingredients

Stir in the flour mixture until just combined, then fold in the semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips or chunks and toasted and chopped pecans or walnuts if you’re using them. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon for this step to ensure you don’t over-mix the dough.

6. Shape and bake the cookies

Divide the dough into 16 portions, about 3 tablespoons each. Arrange the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between them for spreading. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time, for 10 to 14 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through the baking time. The cookies are done when they are golden brown at the edges but still soft in the center.

7. Cool the cookies

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help them set and develop the perfect chewy texture.