BROWN BUTTER CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Have all the ingredients at room temperature.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, then cook until the solids separate and settle on the pan bottom, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Continue to cook until the solids brown and are almost burnt, 18 to 20 minutes more.
• Pour the brown butter into a bowl, leaving the solids in the pan (discard the solids).
• Let the butter cool at room temperature until firm.
• The brown butter can be prepared up to 2 days in advance; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Bring to room temperature before using.
• Position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat to 325°F
• Brush the pan with unsalted vegetable shortening and lightly flour.
• Tap out excess flour.
• Over a sheet of waxed paper, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
• In a small bowl, combine the milk and vanilla.
• Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the brown butter on medium speed until creamy and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk mixture and beginning and ending with the flour.
• Beat each addition just until incorporated, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, dividing it evenly between the two halves. Bake until the center of the cake springs back when touched and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes.
• Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
• Tap the pan gently on a work surface to loosen the cake.
• Set the rack over the top of the cake, invert the pan onto the rack and lift off the pan.
• Let the cake cool completely, 3 to 4 hours, before assembling and decorating with vanilla buttercream.
• If you're using a 9x13 pan:.
• Butter and flour pan.
• Spoon cake mix into pan and smooth out.
• Bake at 325°F for 30-45 minutes, using a toothpick to test doneness.
• Cool for 15 minutes and remove from pan; setting cake on cooling rack to cool completely.
• Frost as desired.

Steps:

• For the cake: Melt the butter in a large shallow saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter starts to brown and smell nutty, 10 to 12 minutes. Scrape the butter and all the browned bits into a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over an ice bath to solidify and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 8-inch cake pans with the 1 tablespoon butter (or spray with nonstick cooking spray) and then lightly dust with flour.
• Whisk together the 3 3/4 cups flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl until well combined, then set the flour mixture aside.
• When the brown butter has solidified, scrape it into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and beat on high speed until very light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and reduce the speed to medium, then add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition and scraping the bottom of the bowl to be sure everything is well mixed.
• Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat just until well mixed, scraping down the bowl again. Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk, beating just until incorporated. Remove the bowl from the mixer and give the batter a couple of folds with a spatula, scraping the bottom to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
• Divide the batter among the three prepared cake pans and bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with some moist crumbs sticking to it, about 25 minutes. Place the pans on a wire rack until cool enough to handle, then invert them onto the rack and unmold the cakes. Carefully turn the cakes right-side up and let cool completely on the rack.
• For the assembly: Look at your cake layers. If any of them have a dome in the center, cut it off with a serrated knife so the entire top is flat. Place one cake layer on a cake plate or cardboard cake round. Spread vanilla frosting around the outside of one layer and then frost a 1-inch band around the top. Evenly spread half the dulce de leche in the center of the layer until you reach the 1-inch band and then sprinkle with half the sea salt. Add another cake layer and repeat with the frosting and remaining dulce de leche and sea salt. Add the last cake layer and frost the entire cake with a smooth and even layer of frosting. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes until the frosting is set and cold.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator and place it on a serving plate or cake stand. Using a spoon, create drips with ganache around the outside of the cake from the top edge. Pour the remaining ganache in the center of the cake and spread it with an offset spatula to cover the top. Let the ganache set completely before serving.
• Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Stir together the cream, cinnamon, vanilla and chili powder in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it just begins to bubble around the edges, then pour it over the chocolate and let sit for about 10 seconds. Stir until smooth and shiny. Let the ganache sit until it has cooled and thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.