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Caramel Swirl Brown Butter Cookies — With Natural Brown Tint
Dolce Flav
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Natural Brown Food Color - Water Soluble
Author:
Dolce Flav
Servings
24
Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
14 minutes
These cookies begin by browning butter to develop a nutty, toffee-like base, then you swirl in a soft caramel ribbon and a drop of Natural Brown Food Color to deepen the brown tones. After chilling, the dough is portioned and baked until the edges are crisp and interiors remain chewy. The Natural Brown tint helps give the cookies a consistent warm caramel color without affecting flavor. Serve slightly warm with melty ribbons of caramel inside.
Ingredients
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1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter
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1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, packed
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½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
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1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
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1 tsp pure vanilla extract
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2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
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½ tsp baking soda
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½ tsp fine salt
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¼ cup (60 ml) prepared soft caramel sauce (room temp)
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½ tsp Natural Brown Food Color (water-soluble extract) — adjust a few drops to deepen the color
Directions
Brown the butter
In a light-colored saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, stirring constantly. Let it bubble and foam, then swirl until the milk solids turn golden brown and the aroma is nutty. Immediately pour into a bowl and let it cool slightly.Make the cookie dough
In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cooled browned butter until well combined. Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated.Add color and caramel swirl
Stir in the Natural Brown Food Color (start with half the amount, then add more if needed) to deepen the dough color. Then gently fold in soft caramel sauce, creating visible swirls (don’t fully blend).Chill the dough
Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Chilling firms the dough and helps control spreading.Bake the cookies
Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line baking sheets with parchment. Scoop dough (about 1.5 tbsp per cookie) onto sheets spaced 2 inches apart. Bake for 12–14 minutes, until edges are set and lightly golden (centers may still look soft). Remove and cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.Serve & store
Serve warm so caramel is soft and gooey. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Recipe Note
10 FAQs
Can I skip browning the butter?
You could, but browning creates a deeper nutty, caramel flavor that pairs beautifully with caramel swirls. The tint from Natural Brown Food Color helps the cookies look more uniformly brown.
How much Natural Brown Food Color should I use?
Start with about ¼ tsp (or several drops) and mix. Add more incrementally until you reach a warm caramel color — don’t overdo it or the dough may look too dark.
Will the added color affect texture or flavor?
No — because it’s water-soluble and used in small amounts, it won’t change the texture or impart flavor when used properly.
Can I use this recipe without caramel swirl?
Yes — omit the caramel swirl and increase the color slightly for consistent brown hue. You’ll still have delicious brown butter cookies.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling is strongly recommended to firm the dough, prevent over-spread, and sharpen the swirls. At least 30 minutes.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — scoop portions, flash-freeze, then store in a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to bake time.
Can I substitute with gluten-free flour?
Yes — use a good 1:1 gluten-free blend. The texture may shift slightly, so consider reducing chill time.
Will the caramel swirl leak out while baking?
Minimal leakage is normal. Use a semi-soft caramel (not very runny) and swirl lightly rather than fold fully.
How to get chewy interiors with crisp edges?
Don’t overbake — remove while centers look slightly soft. Cooling on pan for a short time helps set edges while preserving chewiness.
How to Bake Cookies with Natural Brown Food Coloring?
To bake cookies with Natural Brown Food Coloring, simply add a few drops of the Natural Brown Food Color - Water Soluble Extract to your cookie dough during mixing to achieve a rich, warm brown hue without affecting the flavor, then bake as usual for beautifully colored, naturally enhanced cookies.