We’ve found a guaranteed way to put you in a butter mood: compound butter. This is just a fancy way of saying a log of flavored butter that can be sweet, savory, or somewhere in between. It can be a way to clean out the herbs in your fridge before they go bad, a reason to eat cake-inspired butter with sprinkles on your morning bagel, or a flavorful way to make a steak dinner even more decadent.
And luckily it’s easy to make compound butter. All you need is softened, unsalted butter—the only time we’ll probably ever call for unsalted other than baking—plus mix-ins and a little craftiness to roll it into a log and let it set up in the fridge or freezer for butter days ahead. Get a tutorial for the basics on making compound butter, then explore five flavor-packed ideas to upgrade any meal. And if you want more butter in your life...they pair perfectly with our new Ultimate Butter Robes and Squishy Waffle Slippers.
How to Make Compound Butter
Each recipe makes about ½ cup.
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Mash the softened, unsalted butter with all the ingredients in a bowl using a fork, spoon, or even a potato masher until all of the ingredients are incorporated.
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Arrange a 12-inch piece of plastic wrap on top of a 12-inch piece of aluminum foil. (The foil helps to make the rolling part easier and keeps it from getting freezer burnt!)
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Transfer the compound butter mixture to the plastic wrap, about ⅓ of the way up from the bottom into an approximately 4-inch by 2-inch log. It doesn’t have to be perfect at this point—it’ll look like a blob.
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Fold the plastic over the butter loosely then roll it gently upward so it is covered in the plastic. Use the foil to wrap the plastic into a cylinder, then twist from both ends to force the butter into a tight log and seal.
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Chill for 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes to set. Open it up and slice off a piece to stir into oatmeal, spread on toast, top pancakes, or melt on top of a juicy steak. Butters can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Now Choose Your Flavor!
Birthday Cake Butter
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ tablespoons rainbow sprinkles
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 big pinch of kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons Cravings’ Birthday Cake seasoning (or a splash of vanilla and an extra 1 teaspoon of sugar)
HOW TO USE IT:
- Top french toast, pancakes, crepes, or waffles
- Spread onto a graham cracker or dip animal crackers in it
- Make a sweet piece of toast
- Stir into hot oatmeal
- Add on top of grilled pineapple or other grilled fruit
- Mix with crumbled white cake to make cake pop balls
Spicy Thai Butter
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon finely minced red Thai bird chilies
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped roasted peanuts
• 2 tablespoons chopped Thai or regular basil
• 1 ½ teaspoons fish sauce
• ½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest
• ½ teaspoon finely grated ginger
• Tiny pinch light brown sugar
HOW TO USE IT:
- Toss with hot rice
- Melt into steamed broccoli and rice noodles
- Add to cooked vegetables
- Spread on a banh mi sandwich baguette
- Make a Thai-inspired grilled cheese
- Use to finish steak, chicken, or fish
- Mix into oatmeal for a savory twist and top with a fried egg
Ranchiest Ranch & Chive Butter
INGREDIENTS
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ tablespoons finely minced chives
• 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Cravings’ Ranchiest Ranch popcorn seasoning or a dry ranch seasoning powder
HOW TO USE IT:
- Melt and drizzle on popcorn
- Use as garlic bread spread
- Make ranch-y grilled cheese
- Melt and toss with breadcrumbs to top macaroni and cheese
- Use to finish steak, chicken, or fish
- Add to cooked vegetables
- Stir into rice, polenta, oatmeal, or grits
Berry Crumble Butter
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons fresh blueberries
• 1 tablespoon fresh raspberries
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt or kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
HOW TO USE IT:
- Spread on white toast, a biscuit, plain bagel, or English muffin for an instant fruit crumble experience
- Melt on vanilla pound cake
- Stir into hot oatmeal
- Make a crumble topping with this as the butter
- Top french toast, pancakes, or waffles
Maple Bacon Breakfast Butter
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons crumbled bacon
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup or Cravings’ Maple Doughnut popcorn seasoning
• ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt or kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
HOW TO USE IT:
- Top french toast, pancakes, or waffles—especially chicken and waffles
- Stir into hot oatmeal
- Spread onto a biscuit or bagel
- Add to your choice of bread for a breakfast sandwich
