How do you turn a simple vanilla cake into something unbelievably special? Its super easy – and is even kind to those who sometimes let things burn!

In this case, the butter gets burned – well, allowed to caramelise – on purpose. The result is absolutely heavenly, taken to the next level with amazingly delicious brown butter white chocolate frosting. It’s sweet and a little salty with a wonderfully warming aroma that will make you think of home every time.

The butter in this recipe is bubbled up until it has caramelised. While you put 125g of butter, the browning process means that you will wind up with less than this in the end. That is why the recipe refers to using 3/4 of the browned butter, rather than a weight.

Brown Butter Cake with Brown Butter White Chocolate Frosting

Makes a shallow (3cm deep) 20 cm square cake

Brown Butter Cake

ingredients

125g butter (this portion of butter will be used for the cake and the frosting)
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

mixing

First, brown the butter. Place the butter in a medium saucepan and heat gently until the butter melts and then starts to bubble. Cook for about five minutes until the butter starts to smell caramelised, and is golden brown in colour. Set aside to cool, then strain into a bowl to remove most of the blackened residue. Discard the residue. Refrigerate until the butter hardens. Line the bottom and sides of a 20cm square cake pan.

Take 3/4 of the browned butter and soften (10 seconds in the microwave is usually sufficient). Reserve the rest of the butter for the frosting. Add to a bowl with the sugar, and cream the mixture. Add the vanilla, then the eggs, and beat until well incorporated. Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt until well combined. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Let cool.

Brown Butter White Chocolate Frosting

ingredients

Reserved brown butter, melted
60g white chocolate, melted
1 cup icing sugar
2 tbsp milk, warmed to blood temperature
Pinch of salt

mixing

Combine the butter and white chocolate and stir until smooth. Add the icing sugar, milk and salt, and stir until combined. Once combined, beat with an electric mixer until the frosting is lightened and creamy. Spread over the cold cake.

Enjoy!xxx