We all know the classic chocolate chip cookie, as it’s a warm, comforting hug in dessert form. The sweetness, the gooeyness, and the slight crunch of the edges make it the perfect treat… But what if we told you there was a way to make this beloved classic even more compelling?
A way to add a mysterious depth of flavor that makes people pause and ask, “What is in these? They’re incredible!” The secret lies in two simple ingredients: brown butter and miso, and the magic behind their power is a little thing called umami.
Another incredible combination is gaming at home with your friends, amongst the fresh scent of baked goods, using your TonyBet login, so try out the best of both worlds by reading on!
Table of Contents
What is Umami?
People usually think that there are only four essential tastes. Sweet, salty, sour, and bitter… But in the early 20th century, a Japanese scientist discovered what he called umami, a fifth taste. It is a term that refers to a savory flavor, characterized by a deep, contenting, and satisfying flavor in foods such as aged Parmesan cheese, sautéed mushrooms, and soy sauce.
The Magic of Brown Butter
Our flavor enhancement process begins with browning the butter, which is a straightforward procedure, yet it changes it on the molecular level. Melting butter causes it to divide into milk solids and butterfat, and after further heating, the solids of the milk toast and brown. This is referred to as the Maillard reaction, or the reaction that makes toasted bread and seared steak taste so good.
The Secret Weapon: Miso
Miso, which is a Japanese paste, is a mixture of fermented soybeans, salt, and often a grain, like rice or barley, and is full of that fifth flavor, umami. The compounds produced during fermentation are the glutamates, and these produce that specific taste.
But won’t my cookies taste like soup? The answer is no, as when used correctly in a sweet recipe, miso doesn’t scream “savory!” Instead, it blends into the background subtly. In a dough rich with sugar and butter, its job is to amplify the buttery, toffee-like notes. The slight of saltiness makes the chocolate taste even more deep.
A Simple Recipe to Try
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- ½ cup white miso paste (white miso is milder and sweeter, perfect for starting out)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Brown the butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, continuing to swirl the pan occasionally until it foams and brown specks appear at the bottom. It will smell nutty. Pour into a large heatproof bowl.. Let it chill for 15 minutes.
- Combine wet ingredients: Once the butter is warm but not hot, whisk in the miso paste until smooth. Then, whisk in both the white and brown sugars, and add the eggs one at a time. Optionally, follow this with vanilla.
- Dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined… but be careful not to overmix!
- Fold in chocolate: Stir in chocolate chips.
- Chill the mix: One step you should not skip is this one! Cover the bowl and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours), which allows the flavors to meld.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and scoop some dough onto a baking sheet. Let this bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft.
- Enjoy: Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack and tasting the magic!
