Brown Butter Crinkle Cake

Scrunching phyllo and tucking it into a baking pan had a serious moment on social media recently. We added brown butter for a rich, nutty flavor.

Brown Butter Crinkle Cakes on a dark surface
Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
55 mins
Cool Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 40 mins
Servings:
20
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 20 servings

  • 1 cup butter

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick

  • 1 (16-ounce) package frozen phyllo dough, thawed

  • 3/4 cup whole milk

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

  2. For brown butter, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until browned, fragrant, and foamy with brown bits in it, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a small heat-safe bowl. Let cool.

  3. For syrup, stir together sugar, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to low; simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Let cool.

  4. Meanwhile, stack 2 phyllo sheets; starting with a short end, fold accordion-style into a strip, using approximately 1 1/2-inch folds. Arrange folded phyllo along the short end of prepared pan. (Keep remaining phyllo covered with a clean, damp kitchen towel while you work.)

  5. Repeat stacking and folding with remaining phyllo, evenly spacing strips in the pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

  6. Remove from the oven. Stir cooled brown butter, then drizzle over phyllo. Bake for 10 minutes more.

  7. Meanwhile, whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt in a 2-cup liquid measuring cup until combined. Pour egg mixture evenly over phyllo. Bake until golden, 35 to 40 minutes.

  8. Pour syrup over the warm cake (discard cinnamon stick). Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Cut into 20 squares. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

201 Calories
11g Fat
23g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 20
Calories 201
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g 15%
Saturated Fat 6g 32%
Cholesterol 44mg 15%
Sodium 221mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 0g 2%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 3g 5%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 40mg 1%

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

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.