Brown-Butter Frosting

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 1 1/2 cups frosting (enough for 12 cupcakes)
  • Total: 40 min (includes chilling time)
  • Active: 15 min
This four-ingredient frosting actually has five ingredients-the last being the toasty bits of butter you get from slowly cooking butter until it is brown. Taking this extra step elevates a regular frosting to something really special. Top your favorite vanilla or chocolate cupcakes with it, or spread it on banana bread.
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Ingredients

2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

2 cups confectioners' sugar

Pinch fine salt

Directions

  1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat, swirling occasionally, until the milk solids in the butter have turned golden brown and the butter smells toasty, about 10 minutes. Pour the butter into a shallow baking dish, and refrigerate until it is solid but still soft enough that your finger leaves an indentation, about 25 minutes.
  2. Scrape the cooled butter into a large bowl (be sure not to leave any brown bits in the skillet), and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. While continuing to beat, add the corn syrup, and beat until incorporated. Scrape down the side of the bowl. Adjust the speed to medium-low, add the confectioners' sugar and salt, and beat until smooth. Use right away or keep for up to 2 hours at room temperature in an airtight container.

Let's Get Cooking!

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michaels_sanctuary

I had to substitute a bit with pantry stick - maple syrup instead of corn syrup and maple flavoring instead of vanilla. Absolutely delicious and it spread easily.

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