14 June 2025

Whipped Cream Brown Butter Frosting

Name: Whipped Cream Brown Butter Frosting
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 227 g Unsalted butter (room temperature, divided (1.5 sticks + 0.5 stick)); 32 g Nonfat dry milk powder; 240 g Heavy cream (divided, some used to deglaze brown butter); 5 g Salt; 10 g Vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract); 420 g Powdered sugar (sifted); 2 g Unflavored gelatin (optional) (only if you want it pipeable); 8 g Cold water (for blooming gelatin)

Grace | Better Bakes Kitchen

A light, airy, and rich brown butter frosting inspired by Bon Appétit—perfectly whipped and pipeable for your cakes and bakes.

Whipped Cream Brown Butter Frosting 🧈✨

If you love the nutty aroma of brown butter and the dreamy lightness of whipped cream, this frosting brings both worlds together in the most elegant way. Inspired by Bon Appétit and made popular by Better Bakes Kitchen, this recipe transforms a classic frosting into something richer, airier, and beautifully pipeable. Perfect for layer cakes, cupcakes, loaf cakes, or anything that needs a luxurious finish 💛.

Why This Frosting Works

Brown butter adds a deep toasted flavor that instantly elevates even the simplest sponge. Whipped cream lightens the structure, making it fluffy without the heaviness of traditional buttercream. And if you want those perfect bakery-style swirls, a touch of gelatin ensures your frosting keeps its shape—even in warmer kitchens 🌤️.

What Makes the Flavor Special

The magic starts with browning a small portion of the butter together with milk powder—this intensifies the nuttiness and creates a “toffee-like” aroma. Once this toasted mixture is cooled and whipped into the butter-sugar base, it becomes incredibly creamy with layered notes of caramel, vanilla, and buttery richness 😍.

Tips for the Perfect Texture

Let the brown butter cool slightly so it doesn’t melt your frosting.
Blooming and melting the gelatin before streaming it into the cream adds stability without changing the flavor.
Always sift powdered sugar for that extra-smooth finish.
Chill the finished frosting briefly if your kitchen is warm—it pipes even better ❄️.

Serving Ideas

This frosting pairs beautifully with:

Vanilla sponge cakes 🎂
Banana bread or loaf cakes 🍌
Brown butter cupcakes 🧁
Cinnamon or chai-spiced cakes for a cozy twist 🍂

It’s luxurious without being overly sweet—ideal if you want something elegant but approachable.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're decorating a simple weekday bake or adding a refined touch to a celebration cake, this whipped brown butter frosting brings flavor and texture that feel truly elevated. Light, silky, nutty, and endlessly versatile—this will quickly become one of your go-to frostings.

Whipped Cream Brown Butter Frosting

Grace | Better Bakes Kitchen

A light, airy, and rich brown butter frosting inspired by Bon Appétit—perfectly whipped and pipeable for your cakes and bakes.

Whipped Cream Brown Butter Frosting image

Baking

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

mins

Total Time

20 mins

Servings

Chef's Tips

Chill the brown butter mixture slightly before adding to prevent melting the frosting.
For piping, use gelatin to stabilize the structure.
Sift powdered sugar to ensure a smooth texture.

Tools Used

Stand Mixer Saucepan Whisk Spatula Mixing Bowl

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Ingredients

Scale

USMetric

Scale

Frosting Base

227 g Unsalted butter - room temperature, divided (1.5 sticks + 0.5 stick)
32 g Nonfat dry milk powder
240 g Heavy cream - divided, some used to deglaze brown butter
5 g Salt
10 g Vanilla bean paste - or vanilla extract
420 g Powdered sugar - sifted
2 g Unflavored gelatin (optional) - only if you want it pipeable
8 g Cold water - for blooming gelatin

Instructions

Make the Frosting

1
In a small bowl, bloom the gelatin in cold water and set aside.
2
Melt 0.5 stick of butter in a saucepan until foamy, then add milk powder and toast until dark brown.
3
Deglaze with 1/4 to 1/3 cup of heavy cream and remove from heat to cool.
4
In a large mixing bowl, cream the remaining 1.5 sticks of butter with vanilla and salt until smooth.
5
Add half the powdered sugar and mix to combine. Repeat with the second half.
6
Add the cooled brown butter mixture and mix until combined.
7
Microwave the gelatin for 10 seconds to melt, then stir it into the remaining heavy cream.
8
While whipping the frosting, slowly stream in the cream-gelatin mixture.
9
Whip until the frosting is light, airy, and pipeable. Enjoy!

Comments & Reviews

Thomas K.
6/18/2025
Brown butter in frosting? Genius. It elevated my simple loaf cake into something bakery-worthy.
Lara V.
6/17/2025
This is my go-to frosting now! It holds up great even on warmer days. Thank you for the detailed tips!
Priya M.
6/17/2025
Followed the instructions exactly and it whipped up beautifully. I was nervous about using gelatin but it made piping so much easier!
Jake T.
6/16/2025
I loved how airy this turned out! I added a touch of cinnamon for a fall twist—so good on cupcakes.
Emily L.
6/15/2025
I used this frosting on a vanilla sponge cake and everyone raved about it! The brown butter flavor is absolutely divine and not too sweet.

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe

Calories 290

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 23g29%

Saturated Fat 9g45%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 70mg23%

Sodium 180mg8%

Total Carbohydrates 22g8%

Dietary Fiber 0g0%

Sugars 21g

Protein 1g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Whipped Cream Brown Butter Frosting 🧈✨

Why This Frosting Works

What Makes the Flavor Special

Tips for the Perfect Texture

Let the brown butter cool slightly so it doesn’t melt your frosting.
Blooming and melting the gelatin before streaming it into the cream adds stability without changing the flavor.
Always sift powdered sugar for that extra-smooth finish.
Chill the finished frosting briefly if your kitchen is warm—it pipes even better ❄️.