Brown Butter Crinkle Cake Recipe

Name: Brown Butter Crinkle Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 20
Ingredients: 1 cup butter; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup water; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick; 1 (16-ounce) package frozen phyllo dough, thawed; 3/4 cup whole milk; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.

Original recipe (1X) yields 20 servings:

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
1 (16-ounce) package frozen phyllo dough, thawed
3/4 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2: For the brown butter, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently and allow it to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until browned, fragrant, and foamy with brown bits. Once done, remove from heat and transfer to a small heat-safe bowl to cool.

Step 3: For the syrup, combine sugar, water, lemon juice, and the cinnamon stick in a separate small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and allow it to cool.

Step 4: While the syrup is cooling, stack 2 sheets of phyllo dough together. Start folding the dough from the short end in an accordion style, using approximately 1 1/2-inch folds. Arrange the folded phyllo along the short end of your prepared pan. Make sure to keep the remaining phyllo covered with a clean, damp kitchen towel while you work.

Step 5: Repeat the stacking and folding process with the remaining phyllo, ensuring the strips are evenly spaced in the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.

Step 6: Stir the cooled brown butter and drizzle it evenly over the baked phyllo dough. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 7: In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the phyllo dough.

Step 8: Bake the dish for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven.

Step 9: Pour the cooled syrup over the warm cake (discard the cinnamon stick). Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before slicing it into 20 squares. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 square):

Calories: 201
Fat: 11g
Carbohydrates: 23g
Protein: 3g

Nutrition Breakdown:

Calories: 201
Total Fat: 11g (15% Daily Value)
Saturated Fat: 6g (32% Daily Value)
Cholesterol: 44mg (15% Daily Value)
Sodium: 221mg (10% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrates: 23g (8% Daily Value)
Dietary Fiber: 0g (2% Daily Value)
Total Sugars: 11g
Protein: 3g (5% Daily Value)
Vitamin C: 0mg (0% Daily Value)
Calcium: 20mg (2% Daily Value)
Iron: 1mg (5% Daily Value)
Potassium: 40mg (1% Daily Value)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Origin Story

The Brown Butter Crinkle Cake is a modern American dessert that has recently gained popularity due to its rich flavors and distinctive texture. The dish combines the nutty richness of browned butter with the delicate crunch of phyllo dough, offering a unique twist on traditional cakes. This cake reflects the evolving trends in the American baking scene, where innovative twists on classic desserts create new favorites.

Regional Variations

Although the Brown Butter Crinkle Cake is largely considered an American invention, its flavors are deeply influenced by Mediterranean cuisine. The use of phyllo dough, which is traditionally used in Greek and Turkish pastries like baklava, adds a crunchy, flaky texture that pairs beautifully with the rich, caramelized butter. While phyllo dough is not typically a staple in everyday American baking, its use here ties the cake to a broader culinary tradition.

How It Differs from Similar Desserts

At first glance, the Brown Butter Crinkle Cake may seem similar to other phyllo-based desserts like baklava. However, the Brown Butter Crinkle Cake sets itself apart with its use of brown butter. The process of browning the butter brings out nutty, toasty flavors that are not present in traditional baklava. Additionally, the cake is not as syrup-soaked as baklava, offering a lighter, yet still indulgent dessert experience. The phyllo layers are also arranged in an accordion style, creating a crinkle effect that gives the cake a distinct texture and visual appeal.

Where It Is Typically Served

The Brown Butter Crinkle Cake is commonly served as a special occasion dessert, particularly during holidays or family gatherings. It is often enjoyed warm, making it a perfect treat for a cozy evening. Given its rich flavors, it is especially popular at parties and celebrations where people appreciate indulgent yet unique desserts. Youll often find it on dessert tables at events like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years parties, where it makes a sweet impression alongside more traditional desserts.

Interesting Facts

1. Brown butter, a key ingredient in this recipe, has been used in cooking for centuries and is known for its ability to add depth and complexity to both sweet and savory dishes.

2. The accordion-folding technique used to prepare the phyllo dough for this cake was made famous by viral cooking videos, adding a visual element to the cake's creation that quickly gained attention on social media.

3. While this cake is a modern creation, its use of phyllo dough ties it back to ancient Mediterranean desserts. Phyllo, which means "leaf" in Greek, is a thin, flaky dough used in many traditional Middle Eastern and Mediterranean pastries, some of which date back to the Ottoman Empire.

4. The Brown Butter Crinkle Cake is a versatile dessert that can be customized. Some bakers experiment by adding spices like cardamom or nutmeg to the syrup, creating variations that suit different tastes and occasions.

FAQ about Brown Butter Crinkle Cake Recipe

While phyllo dough gives the cake its signature texture and crunch, you can substitute it with puff pastry or even a shortcrust pastry. However, the texture and final result may differ.

Yes, you can make the syrup ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just heat it gently before pouring it over the cake.

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to store it for longer, you can refrigerate it for up to 1 week.

Yes, this cake can be frozen. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight and warm it in the oven before serving.

If you don’t have cinnamon sticks, you can use ground cinnamon instead. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the syrup while it simmers. Be sure to strain the syrup before pouring it over the cake to remove any cinnamon particles.

Yes, you can use salted butter, but keep in mind that it will add extra salt to the recipe. If you do so, you might want to reduce or omit the additional salt in the egg mixture to balance the flavor.

The cake is done when it is golden brown on top, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. The edges should be slightly crispy.

Yes, you can use a non-dairy milk like almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk instead of whole milk. However, the flavor and richness of the cake may slightly change depending on the milk alternative used.

If your phyllo dough starts cracking or becomes too dry, cover the sheets with a damp towel to keep them moist while you work with them. Be gentle as you fold to avoid breaking the sheets.

To adjust the yield, you can scale the ingredients proportionally. For a smaller yield, halve the ingredients, and for a larger yield, double them. However, be mindful of the baking time, as it may change slightly with different quantities.

Comments

CrispLeek3857

01/28/2025 12:49:14 AM

I ham-fisted my way through the accordion fold (I’m a meat and potatoes / grandma’s simple recipe type cook), and I knew that “pretty” was out of reach from the first moment I touched those phyllo sheets, but don’t let this recipe intimidate you! It is unbelievably delicious no matter how ugly you make it. It was easy to spread the browned butter bits evenly among the top of my phyllo catastrophe, since they stayed at the bottom of my measuring cup, I just spatula’d them out last (they’re those dark brown spots on top in the picture I added.

Lynne

01/01/2025 02:15:53 AM

I made this exactly as written for my family's New Year's party and it was a big hit! They thought it was similar to baklava, which I agree with. Pretty easy to make, but definitely make right before you need it -- it's best fresh and warm!

Jonathan Brown

12/07/2024 12:02:48 AM

Not even kidding, I nailed it.

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Brown Butter Crinkle Cake Recipe

Ingredients

Directions