For a special touch, make a flavored butter, also called compound butter, for your Sunday morning pancakes or waffles, or to serve simply with bread and baked goods. The savory ones are great with steamed, grilled, or roasted vegetables, too.
Softened butter works best, so leave the butter out for several hours on the counter, preferably overnight, so it is extra soft to mix.
For every stick of very soft, unsalted butter, combine any of the following in a small bowl by hand or using a hand mixer or food processor, if it makes it easier on your hands or if your butter is still not quite soft enough.
Sweet compound butter flavor combinations
- Salted honey butter—this is also one of my all-time favorites, especially great with cornbread and biscuits. I add 4 tablespoons of honey and 1/2 teaspoon of flaky sea salt, like Jacobsen or Maldon, to the butter, stirring well to incorporate.
- Fresh herb butter—add 2 tablespoons of mixed, chopped herbs like parsley, chives, and dill; 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt; and 1/2 teaspoon fresh pepper to the butter, stirring well to incorporate.
- Lemon-garlic pepper butter—add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest; 1 teaspoon of chopped, minced fresh garlic; 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt; and 1/2 teaspoon fresh pepper to the butter, stirring well to incorporate.
- Orange-chipotle butter—add 1 tablespoon of orange zest; 1 chopped chipotle chili from a can with adobo sauce; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; and 1/2 teaspoon fresh pepper to the butter, stirring well to incorporate.
- Cilantro-lime butter—add 1 tablespoon of lime zest; 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; and 1/2 teaspoon fresh pepper to the butter, stirring well to incorporate.
- Cranberry-orange butter—add 1/4 cup finely chopped, sweetened cranberries; 1 tablespoon orange zest; 1 tablespoon orange juice; and 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt to the butter, stirring well to incorporate.
- Fig-walnut butter—add 1/4 cup chopped, dried figs; 2 tablespoons toasted, chopped walnuts; and 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt to the butter, stirring well to incorporate. Also great with some orange zest added, about 1 tablespoon.
- Jam or preserves butter—choose your favorite preserves, like orange marmalade, and gently stir 3 tablespoons into the butter along with 1/4 teaspoon of flaky sea salt. It’s your choice if you want to totally stir it in or make a pretty, swirled effect by gently mixing it in.
What are some of your favorite flavors? Let me know in a comment below!
