From chewy cookies and rich brownies to tender cakes and fruit-filled desserts, these brown butter recipes are full of warm, nutty flavor. Find a new favorite among these delicious ways to bake with brown butter!
There’s something special about brown butter. Cooking butter until the milk solids turn golden brown gives it a wonderfully nutty, toasted flavor that can make even familiar desserts taste a little more interesting.
I’ve used brown butter in all kinds of baking over the years, and it’s amazing how much flavor this one simple step can add. Sometimes it’s the star of the recipe, while other times it adds a subtle richness that complements chocolate, fruit, nuts, or spices.
Whether you’re already a brown butter fan or looking for a reason to try it, these recipes are a great place to start.
A Little More About Brown Butter
Brown butter (also called beurre noisette) is simply butter that’s been cooked until its milk solids turn golden brown. It has a rich, toasted flavor that’s especially good in baked goods.
If you’ve never made it before, don’t let the extra step intimidate you. It’s surprisingly simple, and the results are worth it. My guide to browning butter walks you through the process with step-by-step photos and tips for getting it just right.
Delicious Brown Butter Recipes You’ll Love
Brown Butter Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies
A classic chocolate chip cookie gets a flavorful upgrade with nutty brown butter plenty of chocolate, and a sprinkle of salt. These cookies have crisp edges and chewy centers, with a wonderful balance of sweet and salty flavors.
Brown butter does double duty in this tender loaf cake, adding its rich, nutty flavor to both the cake and the glaze. It's a lovely choice when you want a simple dessert that lets brown butter shine.
Chocolate and brown butter are a fantastic combination. These rich, fudgy brownies get an extra layer of flavor from the browned butter, making them a delicious twist on a familiar favorite.
Sweet, juicy cherries and brown butter make a lovely pairing in this comforting cobbler. It's a wonderful way to enjoy fresh cherries when they're in season.
Take everything you love about traditional snickerdoodles and add the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter. The cinnamon-sugar coating makes these cookies especially irresistible.
This twist on traditional Texas sheet cake skips the chocolate in favor of the rich, toasted flavor of brown butter. It's a wonderfully simple cake for sharing, with plenty of buttery goodness in every bite.
Brown butter adds extra depth to classic banana bread, while a crunchy nut-and-sugar topping makes every slice a little more special. It's a delicious way to put ripe bananas to good use.
These chewy, buttery blondies are a wonderful showcase for brown butter. Their rich, caramel-like flavor makes them a satisfying treat without needing chocolate.
This twist on a classic Southern chess pie adds the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter to its sweet, custardy filling. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it's an old-fashioned favorite that's especially good for holiday gatherings.
Pistachios, orange, and brown butter make a surprisingly delicious combination. These cookies are a little different from the usual, with bright citrus flavor complementing the rich, toasted butter.
Tender pears bake beneath a buttery oat topping made even better with brown butter. This cozy dessert is especially good served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This soft, warmly spiced cake is topped with a generous layer of brown butter frosting. The nutty flavor of the frosting is a wonderful match for the cake's cozy spices.
Sweet strawberries and brown butter make these muffins a lovely treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack. They're a delicious way to bring a little extra flavor to a simple fruit muffin.
Maple, oats, and brown butter are a natural combination. These cookies bring together warm, comforting flavors in a treat that's especially appealing during the cooler months.
These soft banana bars are topped with a rich browned butter icing that takes them from simple to something special. They're a great example of how brown butter can transform a frosting or glaze.
Even a simple sugar cookie can benefit from brown butter! These cookies have the familiar appeal of a classic sugar cookie with an extra layer of toasted, buttery flavor.
Brown butter brings an extra layer of flavor to these sweet, salty, chocolatey cereal treats. They're a fun way to enjoy brown butter without turning on the oven.
Whether you’re baking a batch of cookies, making a simple cake, or adding a flavorful frosting to an old favorite, brown butter is an easy way to make something delicious even better.
If you’re new to baking with brown butter, start with a familiar favorite like the chocolate chip cookies or blondies. You might be surprised by just how much difference that extra step makes!
