Brown Butter Buttercream
If you’re looking to take your buttercream to the next level, brown butter buttercream is one recipe you need to try. By simply browning the butter before making your frosting, you’ll create a buttercream with a deep, nutty, caramel-like flavor that tastes far more sophisticated than traditional vanilla buttercream.
It’s smooth, creamy, easy to pipe, and pairs beautifully with vanilla, chocolate, coffee, apple, pumpkin, banana, and pecan desserts.
Whether you’re decorating cupcakes or frosting celebration cakes, this brown butter buttercream is guaranteed to impress.
What is Brown Butter?
Brown butter is regular butter that has been gently cooked until the milk solids turn golden brown. During this process, the butter develops a rich toasted aroma with notes of caramel, hazelnut, and toffee.
Unlike regular melted butter, brown butter adds incredible depth of flavor to baked good and frostings.
Why You’ll Love This Brown Butter Buttercream
• Rich nutty caramel flavor
• Smooth and silky texture
• Less sweet tasting than classic buttercream
• Easy to pipe and spread
• Perfect for cakes, cupcakes, macarons, cookies, and brownies
• Made with simple pantry ingredients
Ingredients
• 225g unsalted butter
• 450-500g icing sugar, sifted
• 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
• 1 tsp Vanilla Flavoring Extract
• ¼ tsp salt
How to Brown the Butter
1. Cut the butter into small cubes.
2. Place it in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat.
3. Stir continuously as the butter melts.
4. The butter will begin to foam.
5. After several minutes, brown specks will appear on the bottom.
6. Once the butter smells nutty and the milk solids become golden brown, remove it from the heat immediately.
7. Pour everything, including the browned bites into a bowl.
8. Allow it to cool until it becomes soft and spreadable again. It should have the consistency of room-temperature butter before making the buttercream.
How to Make Brown Butter Buttercream
1. Beat the cooled brown butter until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
2. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar while mixing on low speed.
3. Add Vanilla Flavoring Extract, salt, and cream.
4. Beat on medium-high speed for another 4-5 minutes until the buttercream becomes pale, fluffy, and silky.
If needed, adjust the consistency:
-Add more cream for a softer frosting.
-Add more icing sugar for a firmer frosting.
Best Cakes to Pair with Brown Butter Buttercream
This frosting complements many flavors, including:
• Vanilla Cake
• Chocolate Cake
• Brown Butter Cake
• Apple Cake
• Banana Cake
Decorating Tips
Brown butter buttercream pipes beautifully using most piping tips.
For the smoothest finish:
• Beat the buttercream for several minutes to remove graininess.
• Use sifted icing sugar.
• If air bubbles appear, mix slowly with a spatula before frosting.
• Chill decorated cakes for 15-20 minutes before transporting.
Storage
Room Temperature
Store for up to 1 day if your kitchen is cool.
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freezer
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Before using again, allow it to reach room temperature and whip until fluffy.
FAQ
1. Can I use melted brown butter immediately?
No. The butter must cool and solidify to a soft, spreadable consistency before whipping. Using warm butter will result in a runny buttercream.
2. Why is my buttercream too soft?
This usually happens if the brown butter is still too warm or if too much liquid was added. Chill the buttercream for 15-20 minutes or mix in a little more sifted icing sugar.
3. Can I make this buttercream ahead of time?
Yes. Store it in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze it for up to three months. Bring it back to room temperature and re-whip before using.
4. Does brown butter buttercream taste sweeter?
Actually, many people find it tastes less sweet because the toasted, nutty flavor balances the sugar.
5. Can I color brown butter buttercream?
Yes, but keep in mind that the buttercream naturally has a light beige color, so bright colors may appear slightly muted. Dark or warm-toned colors like cream, caramel, tan, gold, brown, terracotta, or muted orange work especially well.
