Finally. Something “sweet” to post. (besides cute pictures of Tank or my two sassy gals)
I’m not much of a baker. This is hard for me to admit.
I typically leave the baking and pastry work to my dear friends and family members who wish to share their talents.
And they do share, quite often actually. I’m so lucky!
Baking and pastry work is more of an exact science than cooking. I love experimenting with flavors and quantities… unfortunately to the point of baking disaster.
I need. to learn. to follow. the recipe.
This makes me sound as if I never follow the rules. And yet, if you know me, you know I’m a rule follower. (wink) With an occasional whim for rebellion.
In the case of these divine little cookies however, my whim for rebellion won! I think my Brown Butter Thumbprint Cookies with Sweet Orange Marmalade turned out perfect. Well, almost perfect.
Perfect enough for the Bennett Crew to consume all 20 cookies within two days.
This makes me smile.
Brown Butter Thumbprint Cookies with Sweet Orange Marmalade
These decadent little cookies are hefty on the butter. It couldn’t be helped. I would tell you to keep them healthy and sub with coconut oil. Which is always my butter substitute. But alas, this won’t work. 🙁 So, if you are in need of a rich, decadent and divine little treat… this is for you.
Makes about 20-24 cookies
Ingredients
1 cup butter, sliced (2 sticks)
¾ cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon salt
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
½ cup sweet orange marmalade
Directions
To brown the butter:
Heat a heavy bottom sauce pan over medium heat. Add the butter to the pan and let it melt.
Once melted, the butter will begin to get frothy. Begin whisking the butter until brown flecks appear and the butter smells nutty.
Take the brown butter off the heat and let the butter cool. The butter will go from brown to burnt very quickly so be sure to watch the butter. If needed, transfer the browned butter to a cool pan.
To Make the cookies:
Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment.
In a large electric mixer add the cooled brown butter and sugar. Using the whisk attachment, whisk until the butter and sugar are thoroughly creamed together. It should appear light and fluffy.
Add the large egg and vanilla and whisk until nicely incorporated.
Mix together the salt and flour and then add it to the brown butter mixture. Mix together until the dough is thoroughly combined and pulling away from the sides of the mixing bowl.
For the best looking cookie, place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Scoop tablespoon sized dough and roll into balls. Place them on the parchment about 2 inches apart.
Bake the cookies for 8 minutes and then take them out of the oven. Make a thumbprint in the middle of each cookie and then place back into the oven for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cookie is done. I like these cookies just golden in color around the edges. If the edges are any darker the cookie will be crispier.
Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack.
Fill each cookie with sweet orange marmalade and let them sit for about 10 minutes before serving. Unless of course you just can’t resist a little taste test! J
These cookies will keep for about 3-5 days. But they never last that long in my house.
These look so good and your photos are beautiful! So spring-like! I’m like you when it comes to baking (hate following recipes exactly) – so I leave it to the experts in my family — I just enjoy the end result 🙂
Thanks Danny! I’m with you, I’d rather eat the baked goods than make them. LOL!
Not only do the cookies sounds delicious (I love orange marmalade) but I also love your vintage linen and the beautiful teacup.
Thank you Karen. I do love my vintage linens and teacup collection. When I lived back East I had the sweetest friend who used to take me antiquing in Vermont. She was a quilter and I found my love of vintage linens. It’s become an obsession of sorts. LOL!
These cookies seem perfect for Spring – what a great recipe – and the pictures are great!
Thanks Bill! They are rich and delicious… perfect with afternoon tea or coffee. Actually, I had one for breakfast. Not the breakfast of champions. LOL!
These look FAB for a non-baker!! I am the same as you as I am NOT one for cooking rules…hence…I don’t really ‘bake’ all that often. These look sunny and inviting – thanks Karista!
You’re so welcome Shira! I often wish I was a baker, just lack the patience. These little cookies weren’t too difficult or time consuming to prepare. And honestly, making the brown butter is worth it. Such a delish cookie! Have a fabulous weekend!
Ooo! I saw these on your FB page and I was chomping at the bit to see the whole post!
Karista, these look even better than I remember. I can imagine the way the whole house would begin to fill with that buttery, sweet smell, then sitting down with a piping cup of tea or coffee and losing myself in these treats. Mmm. I’m rather hungry all of a sudden, lol.
Happy Friday, friend 🙂
Awww… thanks Cara! I think that’s one of the attractions of brown butter and sugar… all the delicious aroma that fills the house. They are so yummy I think I’m making another batch this weekend. LOL! And Happy Friday to you my new friend!
they do look perfect!
Thanks! They are tasty too. Definitely making more this weekend. 🙂
Karista,
You cannot do this to me 🙂 You and Danny, and Deb over at Terrified Tastebud make some baked goods that cause me so much pain not to eat. Yum for brown butter and a bigger yum for marmalade 🙂
Lol! Thanks Mike. Due to wheat intolerance issues in my house I’ll be creating a wheat free version soon, I’ll be sure to pass it along. 🙂
I am so excited to see these GF posts 🙂
Well.. if this is the end-result of a non-baker.. I think you’ve turned into a Pastry Chef:) I love the browned butter idea and nothing could be better than a dollop of marmalade to top things off!
Thanks Smidge! You are too kind. This is my one baked good for the season. I’m sort of a one hit wonder when it comes to baking. Lol!
For “not much of a baker” these sure look yummy! Thumbprint cookies are my husband’s favorite so I may need to give these a try.
Thank you! I guess this is what happens when I have a craving for brown butter and marmalade. 🙂 hope you enjoy!
I want to have a tea party just so that I can serve these gorgeous little cookies.
Haha! They would be perfect for a tea party. :). Delicious wishes!
For a non baker, you did a stellar job! A couple of those would be perfect with a cup of tea.
🙂 Mandy
Thanks Mandy! I don’t usually like to pay attention to the details of baking and pastry but these were definitely worth the work. My one baking moment for the month LOL!
These sound heavenly 😀
I can imagine just finishing off a tray by myself casually 😉
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Colossal Caramel Peanut Monster Cookies
Thanks Uru! They truly are a little bite of heaven. 🙂
These look so cute and adorable! Just to let you know I’ve awarded you the ABC Awesome Blogger Award because your blog is awesome 😉
http://wp.me/p10xG5-lA
Thank you so much! You are so kind… this is my first award! I’ve a full week of clients and classes ahead but I’ll post an acceptance post soon. Thank you again and Delicious Wishes!!
Oh, WOW. I love marmalade and think these might be my perfect (non-chocolate, of course, those are in a different category!) cookie. 🙂
I’m a marmalade gal myself. That and lavender jelly from Pike Place Market. Yum!
A little butter never hurt anyone! These look divine. I can see why all 20 were gone in two days! Sometimes you just need a cookie!!!
Absolutely. And today I needed a cookie. Just one of those days a cookie makes it better. 🙂
These look awesome! Thanks for reposting them on Facebook!!
Thanks Kelley! They are one of my favorite cookies. 🙂 I think I’d eat brown butter anything!