How to make brown butter is an easy recipe helping you make this gorgeous butter sometimes known as beurre noisette. Butter and a saucepan are all you need. Make it in batches so you always have some in the fridge ready to go.
Brown butter is one of my most used ingredients. And for good reason. When you cook butter the most amazing thing happens. It turns into a gorgeous golden brown, if you don't burn it. It smells nutty and delicious and has a spectacular carmelized taste.
Served over Brussels sprouts, baked into shortbread, a cake base, to make rice krispies over the top, into a pie crust...the list goes on. Oh, and as a sauce for pasta, wow, it's life-changing.
How long does it take to make brown butter?
The process to brown butter is quick. Just don't walk away. From start to finish it takes about 10 minutes. When the butter has reached your desired level of brownness, making sure you immediately pour the butter into a clean bowl, otherwise the butter will continue cooking and likely burn.
How do you make brown butter?
If a recipe calls for 4oz of already browned butter then brown 5oz, as butter cooks some of the liquid evaporates. If the recipe includes a direction of browning the butter then you are good to go with the amount listed.
Start with a light colored heavy bottom saucepan. It is important to use a light colored pan so that you can easily see how far along the butter has browned. A dark pan will make it harder to see when the butter has turned to a golden brown, hence making it easier to end up with burnt butter.
How do you know if you burned butter?
When you are browning your butter, do not walk away. Just like chocolate can burn and there is no going back, there will be no going back when you burn your butter. You are looking for golden brown flecks, no black flecks. To help ensure an even browning I suggest using a heatproof spatula to scrape the bottom of the saucepan as you are browning the butter. When the butter has browned evenly pour it into a container so that it STOPS browning. If it continues to brown it will become burnt butter.
Can you store brown butter?
Totally, once my brown butter has slightly cooled I transfer it into an airtight container and let it set in the fridge. The butter will keep for a couple weeks, not that it will last that long!
Once your butter has chilled the brown bits will sink to the bottom. Before you use the brown butter let it warm up a bit so you can mix it all together to get the brown flecks evenly in the butter.
What can I make with brown butter?
The options are endless while sauteing vegetables or pasta in brown butter is gorgeous, I mainly use it for dessert. Here are some of my recipe ideas:
- Pretzel Chocolate Chunk Brown Butter Blondies
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Brown Butter Pumpkin Cake Recipe
- Brown Butter Shortbread
- Chocolate Dipped Brown Butter Cookies
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How to make Brown Butter
How to make brown butter is an easy recipe helping you make this gorgeous butter sometimes known as beurre noisette. Butter and a saucepan are all you need. Make it in batches so you always have some in the fridge ready to go.
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 14oz 1x
Ingredients
16oz (1lb or 4 Sticks) Unsalted Butter
Instructions
- Start with a light colored heavy bottom saucepan. It is important to use a light colored pan so that you can easily see how far along the butter has browned. Add butter and cook over low-medium heat. Stirring constantly.
- To help ensure an even browning I suggest using a heatproof spatula to scrape the bottom of the saucepan as you are browning the butter. The butter will bubble up, foam up and then the foam will lessen and you will start to smell a nutty caramelized aroma and see brown flecks beginning to appear. Scrape the bottom of the pot to help get as many golden brown flecks as possible.
- When the butter has browned evenly pour it into a heatproof container so that it STOPS browning. If it continues to brown it will become burnt butter.
- When the brown butter has slightly cooled I transfer it into an airtight container and let it set in the fridge. Make sure to mix it before use so the brown bits are evenly dispersed. The butter will keep for a couple weeks, not that it will last that long!
- Prep Time: 2
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: French
Susan says
The brown butter recipe looks intimidating. I am not clear on why you do want to brown it. Are you usuing low or med heat? Is it as good with just melted butter?
I haven't seen it in many recipes, I am very interested.
Thank you. Susan
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Susan, thanks for reaching out. Browning butter creates a nutty caramelized flavor, it really does make all the difference! I use low-medium heat when cooking it. I have quite a few recipes with brown butter, one of my favorites is https://confessionsofabakingqueen.com/brown-butter-shortbread/ Let me know if you try using brown butter!
Anonymous says