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Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

This rich and creamy Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting boasts a delightful nuttiness with a perfect balance of sweetness, making it an irresistible topping for any dessert.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert, Frosting
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Frosting Base
  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened Make sure it's at room temperature for ease of mixing.
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter This will be browned.
  • 1 cup powdered sugar Sifted for smooth texture.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup brown butter Made by browning unsalted butter until golden and nutty.

Method
 

Brown the Butter
  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter, stirring frequently. Keep an eye on it as it cooks—once it starts to brown and releases a nutty aroma, remove it from heat and let it cool slightly.
Mix the Ingredients
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and the brown butter (make sure it's not too hot). Beat them together until smooth and creamy.
Add Powdered Sugar
  1. Gradually sift the powdered sugar into the mixture. This will prevent lumps and make your frosting nice and fluffy. Mix on low speed until well blended.
Flavor It Up
  1. Add vanilla extract and salt to the bowl, mixing until everything is combined. Adjust the consistency if necessary by adding more powdered sugar to thicken or a little cream to thin.
Final Whip
  1. Mix everything together on high for about a minute. You want the frosting to be light and airy, so don’t skip this step!
Taste and Adjust
  1. Take a small taste and adjust the sweetness or flavor if desired.

Notes

To keep your Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days. You can also freeze it for up to three months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before bringing it back to room temperature.