Cream Cheese Frosting with Brown Butter and Bourbon

4.8
(49)
43 Reviews
10 Photos

This frosting pairs perfectly with banana, carrot, and spice cakes. Browning the butter gives it a deep, nutty flavor. As with many buttercreams, you may need slightly more or less sugar to reach your desired consistency.

Submitted by metread
Updated on September 25, 2022
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Prep Time:
25 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
1 batch: enough for a 2- or 3-layer cake
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • ¾ cup butter, divided

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

  • 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped

  • ½ fluid ounce bourbon whiskey

  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar

  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

  1. Melt 1/2 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook until the milk solids turn brown and give off a nutty fragrance, 15 to 20 minutes.

  2. Combine the remaining 1/4 butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Pour the browned butter into the mixing bowl and set aside for about three minutes, letting the warm butter soften the cream cheese and cold butter. Scrape the black seeds from the vanilla bean and add them to the bowl. Add the bourbon and mix on low speed until smooth.

  3. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and cream, alternating between the two, until the proper consistency is reached. If the frosting is too soft for decorating, refrigerate it for about half an hour before using.

Cook's Notes

For best results, use high-quality bourbon. I use Maker's Mark®. You may substitute 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for the vanilla bean seeds.

61 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

339 Calories
19g Fat
42g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 339
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 54mg 18%
Sodium 138mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
Total Sugars 40g
Protein 2g 3%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 28mg 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.