Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Bundt Cake Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Bundt Cake with this foolproof recipe. The secret to its incredible flavor lies in the nutty brown butter and real vanilla beans, creating an easy baking recipe that transforms a classic bundt into something extraordinary.

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Prep Time:

30 mins

Cook Time:

55 mins

Serves:

1 cake (12 slices)

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">340g unsalted butter</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g light brown sugar, packed</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">4 large eggs, room temperature</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 whole vanilla beans, split and seeds scraped (or 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">250ml buttermilk, room temperature</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">330g all-purpose flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp baking powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp baking soda</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the vanilla bean glaze:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">160g powdered sugar, sifted</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3-5 tbsp heavy cream</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped (or 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Pinch of salt</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">12-cup bundt pan</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Stand mixer with paddle attachment</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Medium light-colored saucepan (to see butter browning)</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Heat-resistant silicone spatula</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Cooling rack</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Preheat your oven to 165°C. Thoroughly grease and flour a 12-cup bundt pan, being sure to reach all the nooks and crevices – this is crucial for easy release after baking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Brown the butter: In a medium light-colored saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally (don't stir), as the butter foams and then begins to sputter. Watch carefully as the milk solids turn golden and then amber brown and develop a nutty aroma, about 8-10 minutes. Immediately transfer to a heat-proof bowl to stop the cooking process. Allow to cool slightly but not solidify – you want it warm but not hot (about 10 minutes).</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>While the butter cools, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, whisking well to eliminate any lumps and create an evenly distributed mixture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, pour the browned butter (making sure to scrape in all the browned bits – they contain immense flavor). Add both sugars and beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes. The mixture won't become as light and fluffy as with solid butter, but this extended beating helps incorporate air for a better rise.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Add eggs one at a time, beating for 30 seconds after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla bean seeds and vanilla extract, beating until well incorporated. The vanilla beans will appear as tiny black specks throughout your batter – these are treasure pockets of flavor.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Reduce mixer speed to low. Add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk in two additions (beginning and ending with flour). Mix only until just combined after each addition – overmixing will develop gluten and make your cake tough.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Pour the batter into your prepared bundt pan, tapping it gently on the counter a few times to remove air bubbles. Smooth the top with a spatula. The thick batter should be about 2.5cm from the top of the pan.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). The cake will pull slightly away from the pan edges when done, and the top will spring back when lightly touched.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for exactly 15 minutes – this timing is important. Too short and the cake will fall apart; too long and it may stick. Place the wire rack on top of the bundt pan and carefully invert. If the cake doesn't release immediately, tap the pan firmly a few times. Cool completely before glazing.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>For the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of heavy cream, vanilla bean seeds, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Add more cream, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency – it should be thick enough to cling to the cake but thin enough to drizzle. The vanilla bean seeds will create beautiful flecks throughout the white glaze.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Place the cooled cake on a serving platter and drizzle the glaze over the top, allowing it to cascade down the sides naturally. Let the glaze set for about 15 minutes before serving. For the cleanest slices, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between cuts.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Bundt Cake?

This cake features unsalted butter (browned for nutty flavour), granulated and brown sugars, eggs, vanilla beans, buttermilk, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. The glaze requires powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla bean seeds, and a pinch of salt.

How to cook Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Bundt Cake at home?

Learn how to cook Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Bundt Cake by first browning butter until amber and nutty, then combining it with sugars and eggs, folding in vanilla beans, and alternating additions of dry ingredients with buttermilk. Bake in a well-greased bundt tin at 165°C for 50-55 minutes until a skewer comes out clean, then finish with a vanilla bean glaze.

What makes brown butter special in cake recipes?

Brown butter adds a complex, nutty flavour with caramel undertones that regular butter cannot provide. The process of browning cooks off water content and toasts the milk solids, intensifying the butter's taste and creating rich, toffee-like notes that elevate the entire cake.

Can I substitute vanilla extract for the vanilla beans in a bundt cake?

Yes, you can substitute vanilla extract, though you'll miss the distinctive flecks and intense flavour. Use 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for each whole vanilla bean. For the most authentic result, vanilla bean paste offers visual appeal similar to real beans.

How do I prevent my bundt cake from sticking to the pan?

Thoroughly grease every crevice of your bundt tin with butter or shortening, then dust with flour (tapping out excess). Commercial baking sprays with flour work exceptionally well. Cool the baked cake for exactly 15 minutes—not less or more—before inverting for the perfect release.

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