30+ Recipes that Start with Brown Butter (sweet & savory!)

Over 30 amazing sweet and savory recipes that start with brown butter! These cozy brown butter recipes are filled with a nutty, caramel-like flavor that makes them unique and truly incredible. You’ll find everything from muffins and baked oatmeal to pasta dishes and plenty of cookies that are all made extra delicious with brown butter.

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butterscotch oatmeal cookies on parchment paper

If you’ve been following Ambitious Kitchen for a while now, you’re likely familiar with my deep love for brown butter. It all started with my famous chocolate chip cookies, which are, of course, made extra special with brown butter. From there I started replacing regular butter with brown butter in other baked goods like muffins, coffee cakes, and baked oatmeals and even started adding it to sauces in pasta dishes to make them even more incredible.

OMG the result is always 10/10 amazing. In both sweet and savory recipes, you get this lovely warm, rich, nutty flavor that’s unlike anything else. It’s no surprise then why I have over 30 brown butter recipes that you’re going to absolutely fall in love with. They make the perfect cozy treats and meals and are ones you’ll 100% have to share with family and friends.

What is brown butter?

Basically, brown butter is magic. Unsalted butter is melted in a saucepan, which separates the butter and milk. The milk from the butter sinks to the bottom of the pan, which then toasts, browns, and caramelizes — giving dishes a rich, deep nutty flavor.

The French call it beurre noisette, which translates to hazelnut butter. I believe it’s called this because once the butter is brown, it gives off a nutty aroma.

Learn how to brown butter

Before making these recipes, you’ll of course need to learn how to brown butter! It’s SO easy & quick and is truly a game-changer in baking and cooking. Get my step-by-step tutorial, tips and tricks for browning butter here!

Can I use vegan butter?

Unfortunately, no, vegan and low-calorie butter variations do not brown. You can use vegan butter in these recipes, but you’ll have to skip the browning part.