salted buttermilk chocolate cookies

One of the things I hated the most about being pregnant was not being able to eat cookie dough (you know...that whole raw egg thing).  And then I came across this recipe...no eggs!  I think I went to the store pretty much immediately to get the ingredients and then made the cookies that night.  If my memory serves me correctly, I also ate about as much cookie dough as I baked.  And I wonder why I gained so much weight...

These cookies may look a little like cow patties, but they are absolutely delicious.  That little sprinkle of salt on the top just throws them over the edge.  Put simply, I love them.

Salted Buttermilk Chocolate Cookies
from Tasty Kitchen

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/2 t. kosher salt
• 3/4 cups cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 t. vanilla
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Cook the butter, stirring occasionally, until brown bits form at the bottom of the pan.  Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.  In a large bowl, combine the browned butter with cocoa powder and whisk until smooth.  Whisk in sugars, vanilla, and buttermilk.  Gradually stir in the flour mixture until no streaks of flour remain.  Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop dough in 1-inch balls onto prepared baking sheet, leaving 2-inches between cookies.  Sprinkle with salt.  Bake 10-12 minutes, until cookies are set around the edges.  Cool 2-3 minutes before removing.