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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/brown-butter-sugar-cookies-with-creamy-vanilla-frosting-recipe/