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Cream cheese frosting being whipped with browned butter and powdered sugar.
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Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

This luscious brown butter cream cheese frosting is rich, nutty, and irresistibly smooth. Made with browned butter, tangy cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a touch of vanilla, it’s the perfect topping for cakes, cupcakes, snack cakes, cinnamon rolls, and more. The brown butter adds a deep, toasty flavor that makes this frosting truly special.
Course Baking, Dessert, Frosting
Cuisine American
Keyword brown butter cream cheese frosting, brown butter frosting, buttercream alternative, cream cheese frosting, easy frosting recipe, frosting for banana cake, frosting recipe, homemade frosting
Prep Time 15 minutes

Equipment

  • Small saucepan or skillet
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Mixing bowl
  • Rubber spatula

Ingredients

  • ½ cup 113g unsalted butter
  • 8 oz 226g cream cheese, softened
  • 2 –2½ cups 240–300g powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt if using unsalted butter

Instructions

Brown the butter:

  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir often as it foams and begins to brown. Once the butter smells nutty and golden brown bits form on the bottom (about 5–7 minutes), remove it from the heat.
    ½ cup 113g unsalted butter

Cool the butter:

  • Pour the browned butter into a heatproof bowl and let it cool to room temperature, or refrigerate for 10–15 minutes until soft but no longer warm.

Beat cream cheese:

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy (about 1–2 minutes).
    8 oz 226g cream cheese, softened

Add browned butter:

  • Add the cooled brown butter and mix until fully combined and creamy.

Add sugar & vanilla:

  • Gradually add powdered sugar (start with 2 cups), vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until light and fluffy. Add more sugar for stiffness or 1–2 Tbsp milk for a softer texture.
    2 –2½ cups, 1½ tsp vanilla extract, Pinch of salt

Use or store:

  • Use immediately to frost cooled baked goods, or store in the fridge up to 3 days. Let it soften before spreading.

Notes

  • Flavor tip: Don’t skip browning the butter—it makes the frosting extra rich and nutty.
    • Texture fix: If your frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar or chill briefly.
    • Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Bring to room temp and re-whip if needed.
    • Best with: Sourdough banana snack cake, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin bars, carrot cake, or cupcakes.