Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

Step 2

Place 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of butter in a small sauce pan over medium-high heat and cook for about 2 minutes – stirring almost constantly – until the butter has browned. Remove from heat and stir in remaining 7 tablespoons of butter; whisk until completely smooth. Place the bowl in the refrigerator or freezer and bring the butter back to room temperature. *You’ll know the butter is at room temperature when you press a finger into the top and it makes a slight indentation. It should be solid but soft.

Step 3

Once the butter is at room temperature…

Step 4

In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and sea salt; set aside.

Step 5

In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer combine the sugars, vanilla, and browned butter; cream on medium-speed until light and fluffy; about 2 minutes (I highly recommend using a stand mixer/ handheld mixer to help if you have one). Add the eggs and beat quickly – for only about 30 seconds – until they’re just combined. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes, then beat the eggs for another 30 seconds. Using a rubber spatula gently fold in the flour mixture, stirring only until the flour begins to disappear. Fold in white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts.

Step 6

Roll 3 tablespoon sized balls of dough between your palms to form a ball (they should be big; almost a 1/4 cup), then place on prepared sheet (make sure to leave enough room in between each cookie for inevitable spreading). Continue this process until all the dough has been rolled. Place baking sheets in preheated oven and bake for 11-14 minutes, or until golden at the edges but still soft in the middle. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the sheet before transferring to a wire wrack to cool completely.