This brown butter cream cheese frosting is sweet and tangy with notes of caramel and butterscotch from the brown butter. Take any dessert to the next level with delicious icing!
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Recipe details
I love cream cheese frosting so I had to make this brown butter cream cheese frosting. The perfect combination of nutty brown butter and rich cream cheese, it’s the perfect creamy topping for cakes and desserts.
Taste: This frosting has a sweet and tangy flavor that makes all cream cheese frostings so delicious. However, brown butter adds a wonderful nutty caramel flavor with a hint of vanilla. Texture: Rich and creamy, this smooth icing spreads perfectly. But it’s also fluffy and not too dense for a fun dessert. Time: This recipe takes about 20 minutes to make. EASY: You only need 5 ingredients to make this frosting, so it’s easy and looks great.
what you need
Ingredient memo
Unsalted butter – I use unsalted because I want to add a little salt later and not overbalance the sweetness of the frosting. Cream Cheese – Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing and to avoid clumps. Powdered sugar – This sugar is a fine sugar, so it mixes easily into the frosting without creating the grainy texture that granulated sugar does. Vanilla Extract – Adds a slight vanilla flavor. Salt – A little salt really brings out the flavor.
Replace with add-in
Substitute Mascarpone Cheese – Using half cream cheese and half mascarpone will remove the tartness of the frosting and leave it with more sweetness. Add Espresso – For a little kick of sweetness and a touch of bitterness, add espresso powder to your powdered sugar frosting. Instead of Butter – For a dairy-free option, you can use a stick of high-quality vegan butter in place of dairy butter. Avoid tub vegan butter as it is too watery and will lead to a liquid frosting. Add Bourbon – The dark, rich flavor of bourbon is a great addition to the flavor of this frosting.
How to make brown butter cream cheese frosting
Brown the butter. Melt the butter in a light-colored saucepan (such as stainless steel) over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown flecks form and the butter emits a rich, nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately. Let it cool down. Pour the browned butter into a separate bowl and let it cool slightly. Chill in the refrigerator until it begins to thicken and partially solidify.
Pro tip: Don’t overheat the butter as it can burn and lose its delicious flavor. As soon as spots appear and the aroma starts to rise, remove from heat.
Mix wet ingredients together. Add the cooled brown butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and salt to a large mixing bowl and use an electric hand mixer to mix until creamy. Add sugar. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue mixing until the frosting is light and fluffy.
recipe tips
Use a light-colored pot – a stainless steel pot is ideal. This is because when the butter browns, you can easily see the spots of milk solids, which will tell you when the butter is done baking. Let the butter cool – Once the butter is brown, let it cool slightly. Otherwise, the texture of the frosting will not be smooth. Use an electric hand mixer. Not only do these move fast enough to mix the ingredients and remove clumps, but they also aerate the brown butter frosting to make it fluffier. Slowly add the powdered sugar. This sugar is very fine and can result in powdered sugar if mixed too quickly. Add in batches and mix thoroughly.
FAQ
Common mistakes when making brown butter are not stirring it constantly, cooking it at too high a heat, and cooking it for too long. The key is to stir constantly over medium heat and remove from heat when brown spots appear and a nutty aroma develops.
It usually takes about 6-8 minutes for the butter to brown, but this will vary depending on the amount in the pan. If you want a more golden color, bake it a little less, or if you want a deep golden color and strong nutty flavor, bake it a little more.
offer suggestions
This savory brown butter cream cheese frosting is a delicious accompaniment to a variety of desserts. Try it with cakes, cupcakes, breakfast pastries, and cookies.
Make this recipe in advance
Make ahead: Brown the butter in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to add it to the other ingredients and make the frosting.
Storage: This brown butter cream cheese frosting will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freeze: Freeze this frosting in a Ziploc freezer bag, removing as much air as possible, for up to 3 months. Once thawed, place in the refrigerator overnight, then leave for about 30 minutes. Whisk again for a fluffy texture.
Even more delicious toppings!
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complete recipe instructions
brown butter cream cheese frosting
This brown butter cream cheese frosting is sweet and tangy with notes of caramel and butterscotch from the brown butter. Take any dessert to the next level with delicious icing!
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Quantity: 12
calorie: 213kcal
Instructions
Melt the butter in a light-colored saucepan (such as stainless steel) over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown flecks form and the butter emits a rich, nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately.
Pour the browned butter into a separate bowl and let it cool slightly. Chill in the refrigerator until it begins to thicken and partially solidify.
Precautions
For cupcakes – If you pipe this frosting, you may need to add a little more powdered sugar to make it a little more stable and firm. Use a light-colored pot – a stainless steel pot is ideal. This is because when the butter browns, you can easily see the spots of milk solids, which will tell you when the butter is done baking. Let the butter cool – Once the butter is brown, let it cool slightly. Otherwise, the texture of the frosting will not be smooth. Use an electric hand mixer. Not only do these move fast enough to mix the ingredients and remove clumps, but they also aerate the brown butter frosting to make it fluffier. Slowly add the powdered sugar. This sugar is very fine and can result in powdered sugar if mixed too quickly. Add in batches and mix thoroughly.
nutrition
calorie: 213kcal | carbohydrates: twenty oneg | protein: 1g | fat: 14g | Saturated fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated fats: 1g | Monounsaturated fats: 4g | Trans fat: 0.3g | cholesterol: 39mg | sodium: 61mg | potassium: 28mg | sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 490IU | calcium: twenty onemg | iron: 0.03mg
Hello, I’m Dina, and I’m glad you’re here! I think life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy-to-follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up healthy, delicious meals. I hope you find something fun to do!
