In a time where the speed and number of food and beverage innovations hitting the market seem like they’re constantly reaching all-time highs, there is a reason we keep talking about Brown Butter.
There are few ways to elevate or enhance flavor as quickly as taking the rich and indulgent taste of butter that people can’t get enough of and then adding the toasty, slightly sweet, and subtle nuttiness characteristic of Brown Butter.
Calling it magic might be an overstatement, but not by much.
High-end chefs have been using it for years to turn everything from sauces and side dishes into showstoppers, keeping diners coming back for more.
As a form of butter, it is also the perfect way to experiment and incorporate unique flavors like miso or ponzu brown butter.
However, what may be most responsible for putting the toasty taste of this liquid gold on the map for a whole new generation of foodies is what it brings to sweets.
Better Baking and Sweet Treats with Brown Butter
It might be a coincidence that two of the most iconic and nostalgic sweet treats came out of the same era just over 80 years ago.
Yet, that is precisely what we find with the official (but disputed) history of Ruth Wakefield and the Toll House Inn’s chocolate chip cookie and the magic made by recipe testers Mildred “Millie” Ghrist Day and one of her coworkers, Malitta Jensen, with the unrivaled Rice Krispies Treat.
While these now classic recipes have been making delicious core memories for several generations, it’s really been over the past decade or so that the addition of brown butter has brought them into the 21st century.
By simply adding or browning the existing butter in these recipes, the game has been changed forever.
But this simple enhancement to bake sale staples isn’t where it stops. Bakers, pastry chefs, and developers the world over are looking for ways to enhance their offerings by incorporating brown butter.
Everything from artisan donuts to viral cakes, icings, and even ice creams are differentiating and exciting palates with this trending flavor.
Even cocktails and coffee beverages like the viral brown butter cookie latte are getting in on the action. Some developers look to bring this taste to the morning brew with brown butter-inspired syrups.
Still, what might truly unlock the power of brown butter isn’t just what it adds to a product or dish but how well it can seamlessly pair with other flavors.
Sweet Browns & Brown Butter
Butter is at the center of so many decadent and indulgent Sweet Brown flavors, from butterscotch to caramel, toffee to dulce de leche. As worldwide leaders in dairy and dairy-type flavors, no one knows this better than us here at Edlong.
Being able to authentically capture the nuanced taste of brown butter and pair it with sweet profiles like those mentioned above can easily take these to the next level.
However, it’s not just these butter-forward sweet brown flavors that can capitalize on the brown butter boost.
As Emily Sheehan, Edlong’s Manager–Applications EMEA/APAC, explains, many different sweet brown flavors and brown butter can make unbeatable combinations.
“Whether it’s your standard trio of chocolate, vanilla, and caramel or exciting seasonal and regional profiles like Speculoos, Irish Creme, Toasted Coconut, or Pumpkin Spice. Edlong’s wide range of authentic and indulgent sweet brown flavors and our unrivaled dairy expertise, can help customers redefine gourmet indulgence for their consumers.”
About the Author: Emily Sheehan, Applications Manager, EMEA
Hi! I’m Emily Sheehan. I’m the Applications Manager, EMEA at Edlong, and my job is rooted in creating exciting new possibilities for our people and processes. It’s inspiring to reflect on how much Edlong has achieved and even more amazing to be involved in such thoughtful innovation. We enjoy pushing boundaries in food and flavour, and we welcome everyone in the food industry to join us. If you’re in need of expertise or inspiration, I’d love to collaborate and help you design flavour solutions that resonate with consumers!
Topics: Butter flavorsInnovationSweet dairy flavors
Resource Type: Article