Brown Butter Cardamom Cookies

I had a blast participating in Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap last year because what is not to love about exchanging cookies and donating for a great cause – they are partnering with COOKIES FOR KIDS’ CANCER, a national non-profit organization committed to funding new therapies used in the fight against pediatric cancer. Remember I made these Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies last year? This year again, I am happy to be a part of the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap and I decided to keep the brown butter tradition alive, hence these Brown Butter Cardamom Cookies were made and sent to Susan, Carrie, and Loy.  Think of these cookies as buttery, melt-in your mouth cookies with a hint of cardamom in each bite. I hope they enjoyed these cookies as much as I did.Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor to baked which I find to be very luxurious..and the smell.. don’t even get me started on that. I would swim in brown butter if I could. Besides that, I love the convenience of melting butter right away rather than having to wait for the butter to soften before creaming with sugar.I used this recipe for “Brown Butter Cardamom Cookies” with very little variations.

After a couple of experimental batches (swapped brown sugar, mixed in with walnuts (as pictured above), egg white vs. whole egg), I concluded that I loved the original version better. Besides the taste, these cookies are sturdy and have a nice crispy texture which is very important if you are shipping cookies to your fellow cookie swappers. If you are still indecisive on what to send or give your friends and families for holidays – these cookies make a wonderful present. Even better if they love cardamom because cardamom flavored baked goods are not easily found in regular grocery stores…Cinnamon is a different story but cardamom, a pantry staple in most South Asian household is considered an exotic spice by many. I usually buy cardamom pods from Indian grocery store and grind them as needed using a coffee grinder. You can also purchase cardamom in powdered form. If you are looking for a simple buttery cookie recipe,  this is it!!! I suggest you get your cookie hat on and bake away for your loved ones near and far…

Brown Butter Cardamom Cookies

Serves: 24-26

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter

• scant 3/4 cup sugar + 1/4 cup for rolling

• 1 egg

• 1 tablespoon vanilla

• 1/2-3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom + 1 teaspoon for rolling

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Heat a sauce pan over medium heat and melt butter stirring constantly and watching closely, for 4-6 minutes. The butter will get foamy and bubble but continue heating until it turns golden brown/amber.

2. Remove the pan from heat, pour it in a bowl and let it cool in the refrigerator for 20-25 minutes.

3. Heat the oven to 350°F.

4. Combine cooled browned butter including the brown bits and sugar in bowl; beat at medium speed until well mixed.

5. Add egg, vanilla extract and cardamom powder; continue beating until it forms a smooth mixture.

6. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add flour, until mixture is no longer crumbly and forms a dough.

7. Shape dough into 2-inch balls. Place them about 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

8. Use your first two finger to slightly flatten them and bake for 14-16 minutes or until cookies puff and start to turn light golden brown.

9. Meanwhile, mix remaining sugar and cardamom powder in a small bowl and keep aside.

10. Remove from the oven and allow it cool for a minute or so. minute. Roll cookies in cardamom sugar mixture while warm and allow it to cool completely.

11. Store them in an airtight container.

12. **If desired, the cookies can be rolled into smaller or bigger balls as desired.

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I’d like to thank Lisa, Amanda, and Sara for sending me delicious cookies.