This looks like liquid gold because of the wonderful color it gets in the browning process. But this is brown butter! What is brown butter? Also known as beurre noisette, which in French meals hazelnut butter. Simply heat a stick of butter in a skillet on the stovetop on medium-high heat until its solids turn light brown. The process makes butter stronger in both flavor and texture. Brown butter enhances the flavor of baked goods and savory recipes. And the special technique produces a nutty and sweet taste packed with golden flecks of milk solids.
Why make your own brown butter?
It is incredibly delicious with a wonderful nutty flavor that can take your baking recipes or sauces to the next level. You don’t need any special recipe to use this butter. In most cases, you can simply substitute regular butter for brown butter. And while you can also buy this butter, which can be pretty expensive, the truth is you can make it yourself in just minutes!
How to brown butter?
Stovetop
Melt – In a small saucepan or pot over medium heat add the butter. Let the butter melt gradually, and swirl the pan to distribute heat evenly.Pro tip – Use a light-colored saucepan or skillet so you can see the butterfat go from light yellow to a deep golden brown. Moisture – Once the butter has melted, turn the heat to medium-high. It should now start to foam and sizzle around the edges. Gently stir with a wooden spoon, rubber spatula, or whisk.Pro tip – Adjust the heat from medium-high to medium heat as necessary. You don’t want the milk solids to burn. Browning process – Once the milk solids have separated the mixture will start to brown. Now, reduce to medium-low heat and let the milk solids turn to a golden brown.Pro tip – It is important to keep a close watch on the color as it can go from brown to black in seconds. Cool – Take it off the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes in the saucepan. Then, pour into a heat-proof bowl or mason jar making sure to scrape all the brown specks from the bottom of the pan.Pro tip – Don’t strain the butter as those brown specks are delicious.
Microwave
Place the butter in a heatproof bowl and microwave for 4 to 5 minutes until the milk solids are a brown color.Pro tip – Use a deep light-colored bowl to leave enough space for the butter to foam and rise up during the process as well as to keep an eye on the color of the butter.
Instant pot
Use the same process as the stovetop but using the instant pot as the source of heat. Make sure to adjust the heat to prevent the butter from browning.
Slow cooker
Place the butter in the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours stirring every 30 minutes.Pro tip – The base of the slow cooker is dark, which makes it difficult to see the color of the butter.
What can you do with browned butter?
As you can see it is very simple and easy to make this butter. And, it is equally easy to use it in almost anything. Substitute regular butter with BB in baked dishes or savory dishes. And while you can use both salted and unsalted butter, the salted butter tends to burn easily, so unsalted is usually recommended. Also note, that the butter will be reduced in volume as 15% of water content gets evaporated. So you will need to measure the butter again before using it. For example, one cup of regular butter will give you about 3/4 cup browned butter.
Cookies such as brown butter snickerdoodle and bars or brown butter chocolate chip cookies. Brownies, or blondies – Try chocolate brownies, pecan pie brownies, or blondies. Cakes – Replace butter in any cake recipe to make a brown butter cake. It is absolutely delicious with pumpkin. Try my pumpkin cake or pumpkin bread. Banana bread – Brown butter banana bread is one of the most wonderful flavors you will try. Cinnamon rolls – Next time you make cinnamon rolls, use browned butter. it is an amazing combination with cinnamon. Frosting – You can replace regular butter in almost any frosting to make brown butter frosting. Just take note that you will have brown specks in your frosting. Rice krispies – The next time you make a rice kripsy treat – use this instead of regular butter. Breakfast toast – The next time you make French toast or waffles use BB instead of regular butter. Sauces – Use it to flavor pasta such as ravioli. Or try brown butter sage and gnocchi. Soups – Add a wonderful nutty flavor to soups such as pumpkin or sweet potato. Scallops – Brown butter sauce with scallops and a few fresh herbs is wonderful. Try it over steamed fish or veggies too. Vegetables – Brush steamed vegetables with BB and a little brown sugar for caramelization. Potatoes – Next time, instead of regular butter use BB over your roasted, baked, or mashed potatoes. Meat – Brush BB over grilled chicken, beef or pork at the end of the cooking time to enhance the flavor. Brown butter desserts – You can easily replace regular butter in any desserts such as pastry cream fillings, chocolate glazes, profiteroles, croissants, Danishes, and choux pastry filling.
Thank you for sharing - Save for later
