Brown Butter Sugar Cookies with Creamy Vanilla Frosting Recipe

Introduction

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies offer a rich, nutty twist on the classic treat. Their soft, tender texture paired with a creamy frosting makes them an irresistible delight for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup salted butter (for browning)
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup dark or light brown sugar
• 2 large whole eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup salted butter (softened at room temperature, for frosting)
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 2-3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Make Brown Butter: Melt 2 sticks (1 cup) of butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Once melted and boiling, swirl the pan constantly until the butter foams and turns an amber brown with golden brown bits on the bottom and a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and pour into a small bowl to cool for about 10 minutes.
2. Prepare Cookie Dough: Add brown sugar and granulated sugar to the cooled brown butter and whisk until combined. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla until fully mixed.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir with a wooden spoon or electric hand mixer until dough forms.
4. Shape and Chill: Using an ice cream scoop or measuring spoon (about 4 tablespoons), place dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the dough balls for 30 minutes.
5. Bake Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange chilled dough balls at least 1 1/2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Gently press each ball with the back of a spoon to slightly flatten. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the tops are lightly golden. Cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
6. Make Frosting and Decorate: Beat the softened butter in a bowl until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Beat until smooth, adding additional milk if needed to reach spreading consistency. Frost the cooled cookies and optionally decorate with sprinkles. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use high-quality vanilla bean paste for a richer flavor in both the dough and frosting.
• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and maintains a soft center.
• For a nutty crunch, add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to the dough.
• Swap almond extract in the frosting for orange or lemon zest for a citrus twist.
• Decorate with seasonal sprinkles to customize these cookies for holidays or parties.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If frosted, keep them refrigerated to preserve the frosting and bring to room temperature before serving. You can also freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months; thaw completely and frost before serving. Reheat frosted cookies gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without browning the butter?

While browning the butter adds a deep, nutty flavor that defines this recipe, you can use melted butter instead. The cookies will still be delicious but with a more traditional buttery taste.

Is the frosting necessary for these cookies?

The frosting adds a lovely creamy sweetness that complements the brown butter flavor. However, these cookies are tasty on their own if you prefer to skip the frosting or dust them with powdered sugar instead.

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies with Creamy Vanilla Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 366 reviews

These Brown Butter Sugar Cookies feature a rich, nutty flavor from browned butter combined with a classic sweet sugar cookie base. Topped with a smooth vanilla-almond frosting, they deliver a perfect balance of soft, buttery texture and decadent sweetness—ideal for holiday celebrations or anytime you crave a comforting homemade treat.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies

• 1 cup salted butter (for browning)
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup dark or light brown sugar
• 2 large whole eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract

Vanilla-Almond Frosting

• 1/2 cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• Optional: Christmas sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

1. Make Brown Butter: Melt 1 cup (2 sticks) of salted butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. As it melts and begins to boil, swirl the pan constantly. Continue cooking until the butter turns an amber brown color with nutty aroma and small golden brown bits form on the bottom. Remove from heat and pour into a separate bowl to cool for about 10 minutes.
2. Prepare Cookie Dough: To the cooled brown butter, whisk in both the granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined. Add the eggs and vanilla bean paste or extract; whisk again until smooth.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda to combine evenly.
4. Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the brown butter mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon or electric hand mixer until a cohesive cookie dough forms.
5. Scoop and Chill Dough: Use a regular ice cream scooper or tablespoon to portion dough balls (~4 tablespoons each) onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the dough balls for 30 minutes to chill and firm up.
6. Preheat Oven and Prepare for Baking: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove chilled dough balls from fridge and space them at least 1 1/2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Flatten each dough ball slightly by pressing the back of a spoon or tablespoon onto the top.
7. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookie tops are lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make Frosting: While cookies cool, beat softened butter in a medium bowl until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Beat until smooth, adding additional milk as needed to achieve a spreadable consistency.
9. Frost and Decorate: Once cookies are fully cooled, spread the vanilla-almond frosting on top of each cookie. Optionally, add Christmas sprinkles for festive decoration. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container.

Notes

• Use browned butter for a deep, nutty flavor that elevates classic sugar cookies.
• Chilling the dough helps cookies maintain shape while baking and enhances texture.
• Adjust milk amount in frosting to get your preferred thickness.
• For extra festive appeal, use colored sprinkles or sanding sugar on frosted cookies.
• Cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Keywords: brown butter sugar cookies, soft sugar cookies, homemade sugar cookies, vanilla almond frosting, holiday cookies