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Okay, I know adding cheese to a cookie sounds weird as hell, but TRUST ME! These are the ultimate salty-sweet chocolate chip cookies thanks to Brunost, a Norwegian cheese made of caramelized milk whey! It’s often called brown cheese or whey cheese, and technically it isn’t really a cheese, it’s a by product of cheese making. It’s got a caramel, brown butter-like flavor that’s absolutely delicious, and added to semi-sweet chocolate chips, it tastes like the ultimate brown butter chocolate chip cookie! I had Brunost when I did my chef residency program in Norway at Ciderhuset and fell in love with Brunost! I ended up making these cookies for the showcase and I finally have gotten around to sharing it!
Brunost is made by boiling whey until all the liquid evaporates and only the milk solids caramelize in a dense product. You can get dark and light Brunost, depending on the brand and deepness of the caramelization. The one I tried in Norway was called Gudbrandsdalsost. Brunost has a unique sweet and slightly tangy flavor with a smooth and dense texture. It is commonly eaten on bread, crackers, or Norwegian flatbread (“flatbrød”). I. typically had it during breakfast with jam and toast.
It’s worth noting that there are different varieties of brunost, and some may have added ingredients such as cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or cream. The popularity of brunost extends beyond Norway, and it can be found in grocery stores under the name “Ski Queen”.
These brunost cookies have the most amazing salty-sweet flavors, thanks to the brunost! The rich, caramelized flavor of brunost complements the sweetness of chocolate chips, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and slightly tangy notes. The dense and smooth texture of brunost can contribute a unique chewiness to the cookies, enhancing their overall mouthfeel. Feel free to experiment with the amount of brunost added, for a subtle hint or a more pronounced caramel flavor!
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Brunost Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Yield: 12 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Makes 2 dozen Brunost Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (150g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup (138g) dark brown sugar, packed
- 2/3 cup (138 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg ( or 1/4 cup applesauce)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp (236 g) all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (63 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup (63 g) milk chocolate chips
- 100 g brunost, 1/4 inch dice
- flake salt (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix on high speed for 3 minutes. Add egg (1/4 cup of applesauce if you’re doing it eggless), vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix on high for 1 minute. Add in all-purpose flour and mix on low speed until half the flour has been incorporated. Add in the diced brunost and chocolate chips, leaving some brunost and chocolate chips behind to place on top of the cookies later on. Continue mixing on low speed until all the flour has been incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Roll 2 tablespoon-sized scoops of dough (41 g each) into 24 balls. Place on the parchment-lined baking sheet 3 inches apart. Top each dough ball with additional chocolate chips. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Sprinkle with flaky salt. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet until completely cool.
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Norwegian
