Skip to main content

Brown-Butter Icing

5.0

(1)

This delicious icing has a tendency to separate. If it does, warm it in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water; whisk until smooth, adding a bit more milk, if necessary, to achieve the right consistency

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 cup

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk, plus more if needed

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, swirling pan occasionally, until nut-brown in color, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and pour butter into a bowl, leaving any burned sediment behind.

    Step 2

    Add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons milk to brown butter; stir until smooth. If necessary, add more milk (up to 2 tablespoons) a little at a time, just until icing is spreadable. Use immediately.

Martha Stewart's Cupcakes
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Charred chicken breasts coated in a tangy dry rub sit atop a fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumber, and onions.
This frozen cocktail uses instant espresso for a strong flavor and unbeatable convenience.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.