Flavored Butters
Compound Butters, Finishing Butter, or Beurre Composé

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Also known as finishing butter, or beurre composé in French, A compound butter is butter that has been flavored by blending softened butter together with various ingredients. These can be savory or sweet.

The recipe for all flavored butters is basically the same: soften unsalted butter and blend in the flavor ingredients with an electric mixer, beating at medium speed until completely blended (1 to 2 minutes). Use only fresh herbs and lemon or lime juice. Let the butter stand for an hour in a cool place, covered, so the flavors can develop; then refrigerate to harden.

Before refrigerating, you can roll the butter into logs with wax paper; press it into molds to create stars or other shapes; create balls with butter paddles; or simply press it into ramekins for serving.

These tasty butter spreads are ideal for tea bread, muffins, scones, and pancakes.

Flavored Butters

In a medium-size bowl, whip 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature) until fluffy. Combine the softened butter and other ingredients (listed below) together until they are completely blended.  

Tips for preparing Compound Butters:

  • The butter must first be brought to room temperature and softened by beating it.
  • The flavoring ingredients must be very finely chopped or pureed. If any extra liquid develops, it should be drained off thoroughly before mixing in the butter.
  • For the flavor to better penetrate the butter, allow it to stand at cool room temperature for a few hours before refrigerating.
  • Compound butters may be stored in freezer, tightly wrapped. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for cutting the frozen butter.

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Amounts below are guidelines - adjust to your taste. Let your imagination be your guide!
 

Chile Pepper Butter
1 chile pepper, deveined and seeded, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt


Chive Butter
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
Pinch fine sea salt
 

Chocolate Hazelnut Butter
Powdered cocoa to taste
Sugar to taste
1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped hazelnuts


Creamy Brown Sugar Butter
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon brown sugar
 

Honey Butter
(This is a childhood favorite)
1/2 cup honey


Honey Fruit Butter
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed orange juice
1 small banana
 

Marmalade Butter
1/2 cup marmalade (lemon, orange, or grapefruit)

 

 

 Kalamata Olive Butter
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup pitted chopped kalamata olives
 

Raisin-Nut Butter
1/2 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts
1/4 cup finely chopped raisins
1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 

Rum Raisin Butter
3 tablespoon raisins or currants
2 tablespoons rum
Sugar to taste
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


Sweet Citrus Butter
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons grated orange or lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange or lemon juice
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon


White Chocolate Butter
2 tablespoons white chocolate, melted and cooled
Ground cinnamon to taste