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. This delicious icing will level up any dessert!

Course condiments

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Servings

Calories 213kcal

Author Dina

Equipment

1 Electric hand mixer

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter
8 oz cream cheese room temp
Pinch of salt
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Melt the butter in a light-colored pan (like stainless steel) over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown specks form and the butter gives off a rich, nutty aroma. Remove from the heat right away.
Pour the browned butter into a separate bowl and let it cool slightly. Refrigerate until it starts to thicken and becomes partially solidified.
Add the cooled brown butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and salt to a large mixing bowl, then use an electric hand mixer to beat until creamy and well combined.
Gradually mix in the powdered sugar and continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Notes

For cupcakes- If you plan to pipe this frosting, you may need to add a little more powdered sugar for it to be a bit more stable and firmer.
Use a light colored pan- Stainless steel pans are ideal because they make it easy to see the specks of milk solids as the butter browns so you know when it's done.
Let the butter cool- Once the butter has browned, let it cool slightly or the texture of the frosting won't be as smooth.
Use an electric hand mixer- These move fast enough to not only combine the ingredients and get rid of any clumps, they also aerate the brown butter frosting so it's fluffier.
Add the powdered sugar slowly- Because this sugar is so fine, it can create a dust cloud if mixed too quickly. Add it in batches and fully combine.

Nutrition