Brown butter buttercream frosting is easy to make and unbelievably delicious. The addition of brown butter gives this brown butter frosting recipe a caramel, nutty, toasty flavor! Perfect for piping or spreading onto cakes and cupcakes!
18tbsp(252g)unsalted butter(1 cup + 2 tbsp unsalted butter to make brown butter)
1cup(227g)unsalted butterroom temperature
5cups(600g)powdered sugar
1tbsp(13g)vanilla extract
½tsp(0.5tsp)salt
¼cup(60ml)heavy cream
Instructions
Brown Butter (Make Ahead)
Add 18 tablespoons (1 cup + 2 tbsp) of unsalted butter to a medium-sized saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted. Continue to cook the butter, stirring regularly, until the butter starts to foam. At this point, the milk solids in the butter will start to turn a golden brown color. Stir the butter constantly so the milk solids do not burn. Once your achieve a golden brown color (which will happen quickly), remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the brown butter into a heat-safe bowl immediately.
Cool the melted brown butter to room temperature, then, cover and chill the butter in the refrigerator until it solidifies. Bring the brown butter to room temperature before making the buttercream frosting.
Brown Butter Buttercream Frosting
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, whip the room temperature brown butter and unsalted butter for 5 minutes until light, pale, and creamy.
Add in half of the powdered sugar and mix on the lowest speed until the sugar is combined with the butter. Then add the remaining half and continue to mix on low speed. Add the vanilla extract and salt and mix to combine. Drizzle in the heavy cream. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
Increase the mixer speed to medium and whip the buttercream for about 2 to 3 minutes until it is smooth and creamy. To smooth out the buttercream, mix the frosting on low speed for several minutes.
Notes
Store the buttercream in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To use, bring the buttercream to room temperature and rewhip for several minutes until it is smooth and creamy.
Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
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