This post will show you how to brown butter in the microwave without all the watching and waiting that comes with doing it on the stove. It’s a no-fuss way to make browned-butter icing.
Remember these Flaky Cinnamon Biscuits I posted a few weeks ago? They are especially memorable drenched with Brown Butter Icing.
Other recipes good with this icing include Soft Cinnamon Cookies, Cinnamon Rolls, and Soft Pumpkin Cookies. The flavor of browned butter plays well with almost any cookies or sweets spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice or cloves.
The traditional way is rather slow:
Up until now, I’ve always made this icing the traditional way. Perhaps it’s the way you do it, too.
Heat butter very slowly in a skillet or small pan. Watch and wait until the butter finally turns brown (and sometimes burns). Z-z-z-z-z-z.
Why brown butter in the microwave?
Then I tried making it in my microwave oven. I put 4 tablespoons butter in a 4-cup Pyrex glass measuring dish and covered it with a cheap paper plate so it would be easy to scrape off butter splatters.
Exactly 3 minutes and 50 seconds later, the butter was browned to perfection. No stirring or babysitting necessary.
Some people might turn up their nose at the idea of using a microwave, and that’s fine. In my kitchen, where I usually cook in small quantities, the microwave is a superhero.
A couple of notes about making Browned Butter Icing in the microwave:
#1
The time required for your oven may vary from the times called for in my oven.
Like everything you make in the microwave, the time for your oven may vary from the times called for in my oven. Although similar, all ovens are not equal.
Also, the temperature and amount of food being cooked will also influence the time required.
Having said that, pay attention the first time or two you do this and make a note of how long it takes. If you have a newer oven, I predict it won’t take as long as I have specified
Keep this in mind if you decide to double the recipe.
#2
Don’t forget to COVER THE BOWL.
You must cover the bowl containing the butter because it will pop and splatter violently as it begins to brown. But that’s OK. It will turn out fine unless you cook it too long.
How to make Browned Butter Icing in your microwave:
If you make this and enjoy the recipe, it would help me and others if you would return to this post and leave a rating (on the recipe card itself underneath the picture). Although always appreciated, no comment is required. Thanks so much! Paula
No-Fuss Browned Butter Icing (Microwave Method)
A tasty browned butter icing perfect for cookies, cinnamon rolls, and my flaky cinnamon biscuits.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter (no substitutes)
- 1 tablespoon milk + additional drops to reach the consistency you want
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Microwave butter on HIGH in a COVERED Pyrex glass container. 3 minutes and 50 seconds works perfectly for me, but your microwave may be different and your butter may be a different temperature. Watch it closely the first few times you make it to determine what is perfect for your situation. Butter should be turning golden brown when done. It will continue to turn slightly browner after the oven stops so make allowance. If it burns, you must throw it out and start over.
- Add milk and stir.
- Add sugar all at once and stir vigorously with a spatula until smooth. If you want a glaze, add milk a few drops at a time and continue to stir until pourable.
Notes
If you prefer less richness, make this frosting with only 2 tablespoons of butter for s slightly lighter taste and color. Add a little more milk to make up for the loss of liquid. Nice for cookies that are already rich on their own.
If you don't like the dark specks in your icing, let browned butter sit for awhile and most of the darker particles will stick to the bottom of the bowl. I personally love them, in the same way I adore vanilla bean specks.
Don't need icing? Brown butter is fantastic poured over roasted veggies i.e. asparagus, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, etc.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 83 Total Fat: 3g Saturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 9mg Sodium: 24mg Carbohydrates: 14g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 14g Protein: 0g
Jocelyn
I made browned butter yesterday using your technique, and it works like a charm. Thank you for sharing this brilliant idea.
One question I have is, when a cooking larger volume of butter (say, 1/2 cup) do I need to use a larger container?
Paula
Yes, I would. It’s a mess to clean up if it boils over.
Donna Vee
Hello my dear, LOVE your blog and have adapted many of your amazing time-saving tips. My only comment about the micro is…. that I鈥檝e recently read an article that set out to prove that microwave is evil…lol. What they did prove through an experiment is that the mice does kill everything in it’s path. They watered two sets of plants, one with tap and the other with cooled micro waved water…. not surprising, the micro waved water group… died quickly in spite of being watered exactly the same… just made me think that’s all.
Robin
I love browned butter iceing. We’ve made it for years in my family. Its especially good on banana cake or spice cake. When I checked your blog, I saw the picture first and thought, “Is she putting pan gravy on raisin bisquits?” Then I saw the title and said, “Ohhh, now I see it!”
Megan's Cookin'
Luv it! Why didnt I think to use the microwave to brown butter. Very smart. Those flaky biscuits are still on the must make list and now, so it the frosting. Hopefully I’ll have company to share with over the holiday, or I know I would eat them all.
sherri lynn
I love anything with brown butter! I should have made this icing for my pumpkin scones this weekend – that would’ve been a fun addition instead of regular glaze!
Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious
In a microwave? Oh yeaaa!! I love everything browned butter 馃槈 Thanks for sharing.
Piper @ gotitcookit
Looks easy enough…. Now to find something scrumptious to eat it on besides my finger!
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Paula, I made a cobbler the other day and the topping had cinnamon in it which made me think of your cinnamon biscuits that I have yet to try, I know I will love them 馃檪 I agree with you why not use the microwave oven if it makes life easier.
TheKitchenWitch
Paula, you are awesome. I love how you make my life easier! This is genius!
Sandy
Paula,
I melt butter in the Microwave all the time but have never tried to brown it that way. The determination of this little guy is enough to make anyone want to try it. Adorable post. Thanks for making my day!!!
Paula
I’ve never made brown butter icing so this microwave method is a keeper for future reference.
The Caf茅 Sucr茅 Farine
I’m totally with you Paula! Since I’m usually doing life on the run, I LOVE my microwave for many things! I have done browned butter in the mw and it certainly beats the old fashioned way! Oh, and your frosting looks “to die for”!
Lorraine
Sounds like a great technique and delicious result. Very versatile frosting.
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit
I’m always trying to do at least one thing too many in the kitchen, and invariably end up with burned butter instead of browned butter. This is a great shortcut. 馃檪
Paula
Betty, Me too–re: doing too many things at once in the kitchen.
SallyBR
Love this post! Having burned my own share of butter attempting to get it “just a little darker”, I will try your method next time. Brilliant!
I use the microwave to melt chocolate for ganaches and stuff all the time – it is gentle, and works.
(I had never heard of brown butter icing, but it sounds like something I should make sometime too)