How to Make Brown Butter

What is Brown Butter?

Brown Butter is a technique that caramelizes milk solids in butter to create a nutty, toasted, caramel flavor; it is the perfect addition to baked goods. Recently, it’s become a trendy tool for elevating cookies to the next level.

For me, I’ve found that if I’m trying to mimic a recipe from a large-scale food company, brown butter is just what is missing. Food companies have an expansive catalogue of flavors to pull from to create products. They can add flavor notes that are much harder to achieve in a home kitchen. But, by using this technique, you can get closer to leveling the playing field!

I’ve added it to my English Toffee Shortbread Cookies.

What You Need

• Butter: You can use either salted or unsalted butter.
• Pot or Pan: I prefer using a pot to reduce the potential for hot butter splatter.
• Spoon: A spoon, rubber spatula, or whisk will work. I prefer a whisk for a more even caramelization.
• Heat Safe Bowl: You will need to transfer your browned butter quickly after achieving the desired look to prevent burning

How to Make Brown Butter

• (Optional) For more even cooking, cut your butter into slices and place in your pot or pan. In my example, I have not done this and still achieved good results.

• Set your stovetop to medium heat and melt your butter, stirring throughout the process.
• Once your butter is completely melted, whisk or stir your butter continuously. The butter should begin to bubble at the bottom and along the edges of your pot. Foaming is normal.

• The butter should begin to change color from a clear pale yellow to a soft yellow.

• Butter solids will begin to fall to the bottom of your pan as they turn a vibrant yellow and begin to smell nutty and toasty.

• Take the pot or pan off the heat and pour your brown butter into a heat-safe bowl. This is the step that most people struggle with as it is easy for brown butter to burn. If you are not sure if the butter is browned enough, take it off the heat.
• Allow to cool. If using in a cookie recipe, allow to solidify before using.

Leave a comment on your favorite way to use brown butter!