If you adore delicate, buttery treats with a perfect balance of sweet and salty, you are going to fall head over heels for this Salted Chocolate Lace Cookies Recipe. These cookies are wafer-thin, crisp, and wonderfully lacy, with the rich, nutty aroma of browned butter and almond flour mingling beautifully with smooth melted chocolate and a sprinkle of flaked sea salt. Whether you’re looking for a party showstopper or a simple indulgence for yourself, these cookies bring sophistication and comfort to every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Salted Chocolate Lace Cookies Recipe calls for simple, everyday ingredients, each one carefully chosen to elevate the flavor and texture. From the nutty almond flour to the luscious sweetened condensed milk, every element plays a crucial part in crafting the perfect cookie lace.
- Salted butter: Browning the butter adds a warm, toasted flavor that forms the base of the cookies.
- Almond flour: Brings a subtle nuttiness and tender crumb that makes these cookies so distinctive.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds natural sweetness and helps bind the dough with a smooth, silky texture.
- Vanilla extract: Boosts flavor depth with a fragrant, sweet note.
- Melted chocolate (dark, semi-sweet, or milk): The luscious coating that sandwiches and decorates the cookies, adding richness.
- Flaked sea salt (optional): Gives the perfect salty contrast that enhances all the sweet and nutty flavors.
- Chopped pistachios or melted white chocolate (optional): For finishing touches that add color, crunch, or extra creamy sweetness.
How to Make Salted Chocolate Lace Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Butter
Start by gently melting the salted butter over medium heat until it turns a lovely golden brown and fills the kitchen with a nutty aroma. This browned butter is the secret ingredient for the deep, complex flavor that makes this Salted Chocolate Lace Cookies Recipe truly irresistible. Be careful not to burn it—just a few minutes until you see those golden flecks.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, browned butter, and two teaspoons of water. Stir everything together until the dough is smooth and pourable—this thin consistency will help create those signature lacy, delicate cookies. Trust me, it’s all about balance here!
Step 3: Bake Your Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Spoon teaspoons of the batter onto the sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart because these cookies will spread out beautifully. Bake for about 7 to 8 minutes, just until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown and you see the delicate lace pattern forming. Let them cool on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack to crisp up perfectly.
Step 4: Add the Chocolate Finish
Once the cookies have cooled, sandwich pairs together with melted chocolate, then drizzle more melted chocolate or white chocolate on top to make them look as spectacular as they taste. Finally, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt or chopped pistachios on top. This step adds texture, flavor contrast, and a touch of elegance to your Salted Chocolate Lace Cookies Recipe.
How to Serve Salted Chocolate Lace Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaked sea salt immediately elevates the flavor, highlighting that perfect sweet and salty tandem. If you want to add a pop of color or texture, chopped pistachios or a drizzle of melted white chocolate make stunning garnishes that also give a little crunch or creamy sweetness with each bite.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of strong coffee, a smooth latte, or a creamy glass of milk. They also make a surprisingly delightful accompaniment to fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, creating a simple yet sophisticated dessert platter.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not serve them stacked with ribbons for gifts, or arrange them on a cake stand with fresh edible flowers for a tea party? Placing a few salted chocolate lace cookies alongside a cheese board with nuts and fruits can also be a lovely, unexpected way to impress guests with your baking skills.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled and decorated, you can store your salted chocolate lace cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. This helps maintain their crisp texture and ensures every bite is just as delightful as fresh from the oven.
Freezing
If you want to keep these cookies longer, freezing is an excellent option. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature to enjoy that crisp, buttery goodness again.
Reheating
To restore their crispness, warm the cookies briefly in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soft and lose their delightful texture. The gentle reheating will refresh their delicate lace pattern and bring back that heavenly aroma.
FAQs
Can I use other types of flour instead of almond flour?
Almond flour is key to achieving the tender, nutty taste and delicate texture of these cookies. Using other flours may change the consistency and flavor drastically, so I recommend sticking to almond flour for the best results in this Salted Chocolate Lace Cookies Recipe.
Is it necessary to brown the butter?
While you could skip browning the butter, it truly enhances the cookie’s flavor with its nutty depth. The browned butter adds a complexity that makes these cookies stand out from typical lace cookies.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Replacing the butter and condensed milk with dairy-free alternatives would alter the texture and flavor quite a bit. However, experimenting with plant-based butter and sweetened coconut condensed milk is possible if you’re open to a slightly different outcome.
How do I prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet?
Using parchment paper is essential here. It not only prevents sticking but also helps the cookies bake evenly and crisp up beautifully, which is super important for the lace-like texture.
Can I use white chocolate instead of dark or semi-sweet chocolate?
Absolutely! White chocolate provides a sweeter, creamier taste and works nicely especially if you drizzle it on top or mix it with chopped nuts for decoration. Just keep in mind the overall sweetness might be a bit higher.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about making and sharing this Salted Chocolate Lace Cookies Recipe. It combines simple ingredients in a way that feels special every time you bite into these crisp, buttery, chocolate-kissed delights. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and make it a new favorite in your baking repertoire.
Print
Salted Chocolate Lace Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
Description
Delight in these crispy, delicate Salted Chocolate Lace Cookies that combine nutty almond flour with toasted brown butter and sweetened condensed milk for a thin, lace-like texture. Each cookie is generously sandwiched with melted chocolate and finished with a sprinkle of flaked sea salt or crunchy pistachios, offering the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons water
Chocolate Coating and Garnish
- 12 ounces melted dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate
- Flaked sea salt (optional)
- Chopped pistachios (optional)
- Melted white chocolate (optional, for decorating)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350° F (175° C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Bake Brown Butter: Place the salted butter in a small pot over medium heat. Cook it for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns lightly browned and emits a toasted aroma. Remove from heat promptly to avoid burning.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, browned butter, and 2 teaspoons of water. Stir thoroughly until the mixture forms a thin, pourable batter.
- Scoop and Bake Cookies: Using a teaspoon, drop 1 teaspoon-sized amounts of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 3 inches apart to allow spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 7-8 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and lace-like.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the sheet. Then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to crisp up fully.
- Assemble and Decorate: Once cooled, sandwich each cookie with melted chocolate. Drizzle additional melted chocolate or melted white chocolate on top for decoration. Optionally, sprinkle with flaked sea salt or chopped pistachios to enhance flavor and texture.
- Store Cookies: Place the finished cookies in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Be careful not to overbrown the butter to avoid a burnt flavor; it should be golden and fragrant.
- Spacing the cookies well on the baking sheet is essential to prevent them from merging during baking.
- For a different flavor variation, try using different types of chocolate like milk or semi-sweet as preferred.
- If desired, melted white chocolate adds a beautiful contrast and sweetness when drizzled on top.
- This recipe makes approximately 18 thin, delicate cookies.
- Store in an airtight container to keep cookies crisp and prevent moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
