Homemade Brown Butter Caramel Cake Recipe

Brown butter caramel cake recipe is a rich dessert featuring nutty browned butter and smooth caramel sauce. This delicious brown butter caramel cake recipe uses cake flour, eggs, brown sugar, butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream to create moist layers.

I made this brown butter caramel cake recipe after seeing a similar version online, inspired by the golden brown butter and silky caramel.

The main specialty of this brown butter caramel cake recipe is its deep nutty flavor paired with creamy frosting and sweet caramel drizzle.

Step-by-step, this brown butter caramel cake recipe shows how to prepare, bake, frost, and assemble a decadent dessert that delights visually and in taste.

About This Brown Butter Caramel Cake Recipe

This brown butter caramel cake recipe has a rich, nutty flavor from browned butter that deepens the sweetness of the cake. The layers are moist and tender, carrying a subtle caramel undertone.

The brown butter cream cheese frosting adds a creamy, slightly tangy element that balances the sugar, while the caramel sauce provides a buttery, golden sweetness that drizzles over the top.

Soft, airy crumbs melt on the tongue, and the flavors linger pleasantly after each slice. The cake offers a warm, indulgent taste that is both comforting and elegant, leaving a memorable dessert experience.

How To Prepare Brown Butter Caramel Cake Recipe?

To make this Brown Butter Caramel Cake Recipe perfectly, we’ll go step by step. I’ve explained the process clearly and included helpful tips.

A few kitchen tools make baking easier, but don’t worry if you don’t have them all. Using what you have, you can still create a rich, nutty, and indulgent cake.

Recipe Overview

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 servings

Kitchen Utensils

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk and spatula
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• 2 round 9-inch cake pans
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

For the Brown Butter Cake:

• 2 3/4 cups (350 g) cake flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (110 g) brown sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) buttermilk, warmed and divided
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (225 g) browned butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) oil

For the Caramel Sauce:

• 9 Tbsp (126 g) unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup (165 g) brown sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 3/4 cup (170 g) brown butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (225 g) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 6 cups (720 g) powdered sugar
• 3 Tbsp (45 ml) heavy whipping cream, room temperature

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Brown Butter

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Keep stirring as it melts until it turns a golden brown color and gives off a nutty aroma. Once browned, remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 2: Prepare Oven and Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inches round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the cake flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.

Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1 cup (240 ml) of warmed buttermilk, vanilla extract, the cooled browned butter, and oil until smooth.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the remaining 1/4 cup (60 ml) of buttermilk. Mix gently until just combined doesn’t over mix.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Make the Caramel Sauce

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, then add vanilla and a pinch of salt. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Step 8: Prepare the Frosting

Beat together the browned butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Pour in heavy cream and beat until fluffy.

Step 9: Assemble the Cake

Place one cake layer on your serving plate. Spread a thin layer of frosting on top, then drizzle with caramel sauce. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting. Finish with more caramel drizzle over the top.

Step 10: Serve

Chill the cake for 15–20 minutes to make slicing easier. Slice and enjoy the rich, nutty flavors in every bite.

Nutrition Facts Of Brown Butter Caramel Cake Recipe

Nutrition	Amounts
Calories	580 kcal
Fat	34g
Saturated Fat	18g
Carbohydrates	62g
Sugar	42g
Protein	6g

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this brown butter caramel cake recipe because it delivers deep, nutty flavors from browned butter that make every bite rich and indulgent.

The brown butter caramel cake recipe layers are moist and tender, soaking up the buttery caramel sauce for a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

The brown butter cream cheese frosting adds a creamy, slightly tangy contrast that balances the sweetness perfectly.

Baking this brown butter caramel cake recipe fills the kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma that makes the experience as enjoyable as the result. The combination of flavors creates a dessert that feels luxurious, comforting, and memorable.

Why My Recipe Works

My brown butter caramel cake recipe works because the browned butter adds a deep, nutty flavor that enhances the sweetness naturally.

Warming the buttermilk and using room-temperature eggs and butter helps the batter mix evenly, creating moist, tender layers. The precise balance of sugar, leavening agents, and flour ensures the cake rises properly while staying soft.

The brown butter cream cheese frosting complements the cake’s richness, and the caramel sauce ties the flavors together, adding a buttery sweetness.

Following these steps produces a reliable, flavorful dessert every time that holds its texture and taste beautifully.

Professional Baking Tips

1. When you brown the butter for the cake or frosting, do it over medium heat and don’t rush. Watch closely so it turns golden brown and smells nutty, but doesn’t burn, because that deep flavour makes the cake better.

2. Bring eggs, buttermilk, browned butter, and oil to room temperature before mixing. Warm ingredients blend more smoothly and help the cake rise evenly.

3. After you add your dry flour mix to the wet batter, stir only until it’s just combined. Over mixing can tighten the cake’s crumb and make it tough.

4. Line your cake pans with parchment paper and grease lightly. This helps the cake release easily and keeps edges soft instead of dry or over baked.

5. Let the cake layers cool completely on a rack before spreading frosting. If the cake is even slightly warm, the frosting can melt and slide.

6. Because caramel‑rich cakes can dry quickly, start testing for doneness a few minutes before the recipe time. A toothpick should come out with only a few moist crumbs, not clean and dry.

Serving Ideas

Other serving ideas for brown butter caramel cake recipe include slicing it into layers and serving alongside fresh seasonal fruits such as sliced apples, pears, or figs to complement the nutty sweetness.

Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top add a satisfying crunch. You can serve it slightly warmed to bring out the caramel notes or chilled for a denser texture.

A light dusting of powdered sugar or a few edible flowers can make the presentation elegant. Pairing the cake with a cup of black coffee, chai tea, or lightly sweetened milk enhances the flavors naturally.

Best Variations

➤ Chocolate Brown Butter Caramel Cake – Incorporate 1/2 cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder into the cake batter. The chocolate flavor blends with the nutty brown butter, creating a rich, deep cake. Top with the same brown butter cream cheese frosting and caramel sauce for a luxurious chocolate-caramel experience.

➤ Apple Cinnamon Brown Butter Caramel Cake – Gently fold 1 cup (150 g) finely chopped apples and 1 tsp cinnamon into the batter. The apples add natural sweetness and moisture, while cinnamon gives a warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the brown butter.

➤ Pecan Brown Butter Caramel Cake – Mix 1 cup (120 g) toasted pecans into the batter and sprinkle a few on top of the frosting. The crunchy pecans complement the soft, tender cake and add a nutty texture that pairs beautifully with caramel.

➤ Salted Caramel Brown Butter Cake – Add a pinch of flaky sea salt to the caramel sauce and frosting. The salt balances the sweetness, intensifies the caramel flavor, and creates a sophisticated sweet-and-salty dessert that stands out.

➤ Coffee Brown Butter Caramel Cake – Dissolve 1–2 tsp instant espresso powder in the warm buttermilk before mixing. The subtle coffee notes enhance the nutty brown butter and caramel flavors, giving the cake a slightly complex, rich profile that coffee lovers will enjoy.

Storage Instructions

To store brown butter caramel cake recipe, keep it in an airtight container to maintain freshness. At room temperature, it will stay good for up to two days, away from heat or sunlight to prevent the frosting and caramel from softening.

For longer storage, refrigerate the cake in a tightly covered container, where it will remain fresh for four to five days; allow it to come to room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving.

To freeze, wrap the brown butter caramel cake recipe layers individually in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before frosting and serving.

Conclusion

This delicious brown butter caramel cake recipe is one everyone will enjoy, and it always brings smiles after serving. Every time I make it, the rich, nutty flavors and creamy frosting impress family and friends, making dessert time special.

I created this brown butter caramel cake recipe to simplify the process while keeping the taste decadent and memorable. Sharing my easy method allows others to recreate the same results at home.

I hope this step-by-step approach inspires bakers to make brown butter caramel cake recipe confidently and enjoy every bite as much as I do each time.

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