Learn how to make brown butter in less than 10 minutes with these simple steps, featuring step-by-step photos.
If you have never added brown butter to any of your baking recipes, you need to try these simple steps to add rich flavor, nutty taste, and taking your recipe to the next level.
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What is brown butter?
Brown butter is when unsalted butter is cooked until the milk solids are toasted, which gives the butter a nutty flavor and aroma. Want to know the best part about making brown butter? The possibilities of what you can make with it are endless. From brown butter chocolate chip cookies, brown butter snickerdoodles, brown butter blondies, to brown butter buttercream.
Variations
Want to add some extra flavor to your brown butter? Try these simple add-ins:
- Citrus zest - If desired add in some zest after you have browned the butter.
- Sea salt - Want to add in some salty goodness? Add some flaky sea salt.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. I would recommend using the following equipment:
Instructions
- Melt a whole stick of butter on medium-low heat. Every 15 seconds swirl your butter to help it melt. Or use a rubber spatula to stir continuously. Do not put the butter on high heat. It is very important to keep things low and slow for this process.
2. Once the butter is melted, you will see the white milk solids start to come to the top. Keep swirling the pan. The milk solids will start to bubble up to the top after about 5-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on the butter as it will slowly change color to dark brown.
3. Once the milk solids sink to the bottom of the pan and the butter is a nice golden brown color, remove the butter from the heat and place in a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking.
4. This is the end result. Perfectly browned and toasted butter. Yum! Allow it to cool a bit before adding it to your baked goods. Remember: brown butter will solidify once it comes to room temperature.
Hint: The entire time you are cooking, always watch the color of the butter.
Storage
Store brown butter in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 5 days.
You can also freeze brown butter. Pour the cooled brown butter in an airtight container. Then pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Top Tip
Never stop stirring or swirling your pan! You want to make sure the butter is cooking evenly.
FAQ
Yes! There are only seconds from perfectly browned butter to a burnt mess. Watch the butter very carefully! Make sure you remove it from the heat once you see the brown bits at the bottom of the pan have browned. Trust me, no one wants burnt butter.
They are the high concentration of dairy fat in the butter. They also contain protein, sugar, and minerals. These are what you will see floating to the top of the melted butter.
If you use a dark-colored pan, you will not be able to see the transformation of the butter to brown butter.
📖 Recipe
How To Make Brown Butter Easy Steps
Equipment
- 1 Medium-Sized light-colored saucepan
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Stainless steel sauté pan This type of pan works great too!
Ingredients
- 8 Tablespoons Unsalted butter
Instructions
- Melt a whole stick of butter on medium-low heat. Every 15 seconds swirl your butter to help it melt. Or use a rubber spatula to stir continuously. Do not put the butter on high heat. It is very important to keep things low and slow for this process.
- Once the butter is melted, you will see the white milk solids start to come to the top. Keep swirling the pan. The milk solids will start to bubble up to the top after about 5-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on the butter as it will slowly change color to dark brown.
- Once the milk solids sink to the bottom of the pan and the butter is a nice golden brown color, remove the butter from the heat and place in a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking.
- This is the end result. Perfectly browned and toasted butter. Yum! Allow it to cool a bit before adding it to your baked goods. Remember: brown butter will solidify once it comes to room temperature.
Notes
- Make sure you use a light-colored saucepan.
Nutrition
Want to try more of my favorite recipes that also have a really simple process behind them? Try my Tasty Brown Butter Cinnamon Toast Crunch Rice Krispy Treats.
