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Brown Butter Snacking Cake

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This cake is my secret weapon.

Brown Butter Snacking Cake

That’s right, it’s a secret weapon against any sweet cravings that may come along when I’ve got practically nothing in my refrigerator.  Made with the most basic ingredients, this Brown Butter Snacking Cake is a shining example of how, with a little technique, you can make something incredibly satisfying from just pantry and fridge staples.  Let’s talk ingredients: butter, brown sugar, vanilla, flour, salt, baking powder, eggs, milk, sour cream, and turbinado sugar.  Simple, right?  The magic is the pairing of brown butter and brown sugar.

When you cook butter over a medium flame, the water in the butter evaporates, and the milk solids eventually caramelize, turning the liquid golden brown.  The resulting brown butter has a seductive, warm, nutty flavor and aroma that perfectly compliments the molasses notes of brown sugar.  Flour, baking powder, and eggs are added to the mix for structure; salt and vanilla to amp up flavor; and milk and sour cream for moisture.  A final sprinkling of turbinado sugar provides a crunchy contrast.

My Brown Butter Snacking Cake is not only tasty, it’s also easy to prepare and super versatile.  After you brown the butter, this cake batter can be made in just one bowl.  No stand or hand mixers required.  I usually cook this cake in a 10″ cast iron skillet, but any baking dish would work.  I like to call this a “snacking cake,” because I find myself snacking on it all day long.  A little slice with jam for breakfast, or a big slice with honey-sweetened ricotta and sliced peaches for dessert.  I’ve even layered it with vanilla ice cream and bourbon caramel sauce!  It pairs well with just about anything in your fridge/freezer.  Continue reading for the recipe.  I’ve also announced the winner of the WestRidge Beef Big Steaks package below.

Flour Scale

If  you don’t already measure flour with a scale, I urge you to start doing so.  This really helps to produce consistently delicious results when baking.  If you are just using a cup measure, the amount of flour can vary based on how packed it is.  Avoid that mess, and just use a scale 🙂

Brown Butter

And the winner of the WestRidge Beef Big Steaks package is:

Kayte CookWatts

I’ll be emailing you shortly with more details.  A big thanks to all who participated!!

Brown Butter Snacking Cake

Brown Butter Snacking Cake
5 from 4 votes
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Brown Butter Snacking Cake

Servings 8 servings
Author Brandon Matzek

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
  • 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup sour cream (you can omit this and use 1/2 cup milk, but it won't be as moist)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 cup (165 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Turbinado sugar, for sprinking

Instructions

  1. Preheat an oven to 350°F . Place a rack in the middle of the oven. Grease a 10" cast iron skillet (or square baking dish) with butter, and set aside.
  2. Warm butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. The butter will melt, then foam and bubble, then start to brown. You will notice little brown bits forming at the bottom of the pan. Stir frequently during this process and keep your attention on the pot. The butter can go from wonderfully brown to burnt in just a few moments. You will know the butter is done when it gives off a nutty aroma and turns a golden brown.
  3. Add brown butter to a large bowl with brown sugar, whisking to combine. Whisk in milk, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Add flour, sea salt, and baking powder to the bowl, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix here.
  4. Pour the cake batter in the prepared cast iron skillet, and cook until the top turns light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean (25 - 30 minutes).

To serve, cut the cake in wedges, and enjoy with just about anything (butter, jam, ice cream, sweetened ricotta, fresh fruit, and fruit compote to name just a few).

PS. I am just now realizing how much I LOVE brown butter!!

6

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Averie @ Averie Cooks says

    For some reason this post didnt come through into my feed…weird! But okay so over the weekend I went on a little shopping spree and went to BB&Beyond first, then to West Elm. Had I gone to W.E. first, I totally would have gotten these plates! But I had JUST stocked up at BBB. But seriously they are awesome and they are perfect for you…and this cake! Browned butter can do no wrong, ever!

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Strange! Hopefully everything is fine now. Haha, glad you had a fun shopping spree. West Elm just released 2 more animal plates! I’ll have a full set of 10 soon 😉

      Reply

  6. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    Hi Brandon! I just found your blog today and I love all of your recipes. Especially this cake…you definitely got the title right! I haven’t tried brown butter in any recipes, but this looks like the perfect one to start with!

    Reply

  7. laurasmess says

    I love the name ‘snacking cake’. What a great excuse for a little sliver in the mid-afternoon when a pick-me-up is required! It’s been too long since I visited your space on the internet Brandon. Fantastic new posts… I’m loving this browned butter infatuation as I definitely share it (nutty, buttery deliciousness – what could be wrong with that?). Definitely going to try this cake.
    P.S those plates are awesome. Where did you get them from? I want!

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Thanks so much Laura!! Glad to see you back. And I’m also glad you are a fellow brown butter fan 🙂 The plates are from West Elm!

      Reply

  11. Stephanie Jones says

    If I wasn’t in the middle of moving right now… Brown butter is my crack! Oh screw it. I can retape these boxes after I bake this lovely goodness.

    Reply

  14. Ani {@afotogirl} says

    This sounds tasty and best of all, easy! I haven’t tried making anything with brown butter. I’m off white flour for a while. I wonder how this would be with whole wheat pastry flour?

    Reply

  15. Dustin says

    Dude, where did you get these plates? So awesome. If you could point me in right direction with a link or something I would be forever grateful.

    Reply

  16. Susan says

    5 stars
    Imagine my excitement when I saw brown butter in this recipe, and I just happened to already have a jar in the fridge! I was making ghee and it went too long, lol….but how wonderful that overcooking yields something as delightful as brown butter? I was already into my morning coffee, but I had to make this to go with my second cup! Unfortunately, I didn’t have sour cream on hand, but I did have full fat greek yogurt, so I decided to soldier on! After all, I used the yogurt last night to make your “to-die-for” Crispy fish tacos with chipotle crema. The yogurt worked fine there for the crema, so why not in baking, lol? We absolutely loved the tacos and I can’t wait to try this cake. We had our first fish tacos in San DIego in 2006 when we traveled from our then new home in Temecula. We’d never heard of it back East and we’ve been devotees ever since!! This recipe was spot on delicious. Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Hi Susan, so glad you enjoyed the cake with the yogurt instead. And YES, I love those fish tacos. Thanks for sharing feedback!!

      Reply

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