Brown Butter Iced Cookies 2025

Why Make This Recipe

Brown Butter Iced Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter with the comforting spices of ginger and cinnamon. Everyone loves cookies, and these are sure to impress. They are perfect for sharing at gatherings, holiday events, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee at home. The unique flavor from the brown butter adds a special touch that makes these cookies stand out.

How to Make Brown Butter Iced Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 sticks salted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
• 2-4 tablespoons espresso powder or instant coffee powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup blackstrap molasses
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1-2 tablespoons as needed
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Granulated sugar, for rolling
• 1 stick salted butter, at room temperature (for icing)
• 1 1/2-2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean powder
• 1 pinch cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat together the room temperature butter, brown sugar, espresso powder, and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Add the egg and mix well; then add the molasses and combine.
4. Gradually add the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and salt, beating until just combined.
5. For drop cookies, roll the dough into tablespoon-size balls, roll in sugar, and place on the baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers are still doughy.
7. For cutouts, roll the dough to 1/4 inch thick, cut into shapes, and freeze until firm, about 15 minutes, before baking for 8-10 minutes.
8. For icing, brown the butter in a pot over medium heat until toasted, about 2-3 minutes.
9. Cool the butter slightly, then whisk in powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of cinnamon.
10. Spread the icing over the cookies while they are warm.
11. Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

How to Serve Brown Butter Iced Cookies

Serve these cookies fresh out of the oven or let them cool and enjoy them later. They pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea. You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top of the icing for an extra touch.

How to Store Brown Butter Iced Cookies

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the uncooked dough or the iced cookies in a freezer-safe container.

Tips to Make Brown Butter Iced Cookies

• Make sure your butter is at room temperature for better mixing.
• If the dough is too sticky, you can add an extra tablespoon or two of flour.
• To ensure even baking, rotate the baking sheets halfway through the baking time.
• For an even richer flavor, let the browned butter cool a bit longer before mixing it into the icing.

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• Vanilla Maple Protein Balls

Variation

You can try adding chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits to the cookie dough for variety. You could also experiment with different spices like nutmeg or allspice.

FAQs

1. Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?
Yes, you can use unsalted butter. Just add a pinch of salt to the batter to balance the flavors.

2. What can I use instead of espresso powder?
You can use instant coffee powder or simply skip it if you prefer a milder flavor.

3. How can I make these cookies more colorful?
You can add colored sprinkles on top of the icing before it sets to give your cookies some fun color and decoration.

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