2 Simple tricks to take your baking to the next level.

My favorite cookie is chocolate chip. I know you'd think it would be some fancy cookie with all these ingredients, but no, simple chocolate chip. I never thought I could love a chocolate chip cookie more until I realized how magical these two ingredients are: Brown Butter, Sea Salt. Now my favorite cookies are brown butter, sea salt chocolate chip cookie. Yup, that's those cookies in the picture.

SALT

Let's talk salt for a moment. I grew up in the era where salt is bad for you. We never put salt on anything and come to think of it, I didn't even know where the salt was in my house growing up! It wasn't until I started baking and cooking for my own family did I realize that a little HIGH QUALITY salt can be good for you! I'm talking:

• flaky sea salt
• Himalayan Pink Salt
• Celtic Sea Salt types of salt.

I use salt now in most of my baking to help tone down the sweetness of frosting or a bake. I also use salt to ENHANCE flavors. 

BROWN BUTTER

Now let's talk about brown butter. I didn't learn how to brown butter until a few years ago, but once I learned how simple it was, transformed my baking. When butter is browned, it has a nutty/caramel flavor. Add brown butter to your bakes and it will be like eating something that was sent down from heaven. Just make sure it is at room temperature before you bake with it. See the video I've included on how to brown butter. 

Adding one or both of these ingredients to your next bake will surely give you the the chef's kiss.

Happy baking!