If you aren’t experimenting with compound butters, what are you waiting for?
What is Compound Butter?
Essentially, compound butter is plain homemade butter or store-bought butter (salted or unsalted) that has been mixed with other ingredients, such as herbs and spices.
The infusion of chopped garlic, fresh herbs and other ingredients can level up a basic table butter into something exceptional. Aside from being packed with flavor, compound butter can be crafted to look visually beautiful as well (we do eat with our eyes first, after all). Enhance your meal with the addition of colorful edible flowers mixed within the butter or layered on the outside of a butter
log.
How to Make Compound Butter
The process of making compound butter is very simple, requiring only a few steps. The general process involves mixing various ingredients of choice into softened butter. Then shape the butter into a log and chill it.
Here are two recipes for you to try: one savory herb butter and a sweet compound butter.
Savory Herb Butter Recipe
Yield: 4-ounce butter log (1/2 cup)
Ingredients
4-ounce stick of butter of choice, softened to room temperature (I used salted butter)
2 tablespoons of fresh herbs of choice (thyme, rosemary, chives, parsley, tarragon), finely
chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped and crushed with the back of a spoon
Dash of black pepper
Pinch of salt
Other supplies:
Parchment paper
Directions
Add softened (room temperature) butter to a bowl.
Mix together the chopped ingredients with the room temperature butter. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
Spoon the butter into a large sheet of parchment paper. Fold the paper around the butter, as to make a butter “taco” so that you can create a log by rolling the butter within the parchment paper and shape it with your hands.
Use the parchment paper to roll the butter into the length and size of the butter log you desire. You could also skip this step and spoon the herbed butter into small ramekins for serving.
Once formed into a log, wrap the parchment paper around the compound butter and transfer the butter into the refrigerator to set. Serve once solid.
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Whenever we make popovers, we love to make a whipped honey butter to serve them with. For special occasions, we like to go one step further and make a botanical honey butter log.
Sweet Honey Butter with Edible Flowers
My absolute favorite flowers to use for this butter are nasturtiums. Pansies, violets, calendula, lilacs and dandelions are other great options.
Yield: 4-ounce butter log (1/2 cup)
Ingredients
4-ounce stick of butter of choice, softened to room temperature (I used salted butter)
¼ cup honey
Edible flowers of choice
Other supplies:
Hand mixer
Bowl
Parchment paper
Directions
Add the softened (room temperature) butter to a bowl. Use a hand mixer to blend the butter while slowly adding one-quarter cup of honey.
Once the honey is incorporated into the butter, you can either gently stir in chopped edible flowers into the mixture or add them to the outside of your butter log after you’ve shaped it.
Spoon the butter into a large sheet of parchment paper. Fold the paper around the butter, as to make a butter “taco” so that you can create a log by rolling the butter within the parchment paper. Use the parchment paper to roll the butter into the length and size of the butter log you desire.
If adding whole petals to the log, do this once the shape of the butter log is formed. Place the flowers over the log and use the parchment paper to press them into place. Once formed into a log, wrap the parchment paper around the compound butter and transfer the butter to the refrigerator to set. Serve once solid.
Tips for Using Edible Flowers in Butter
It is best practice to grow your own flowers so that you know they were not treated with any pesticides or other poisonous sprays. Specialty shops sometimes offer edible flowers for sale as well. If infusing with homegrown flowers, be sure not to harvest any from close to the road or from parts of the yard where pets use the restroom.
FAQ: Compound ButterWhat is compound butter used for?Compound butter adds flavor to meats, vegetables, bread, and more. It can be savory or sweet, depending on the ingredients mixed into the butter. How long does compound butter last?Stored in the fridge, compound butter lasts 1–2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Can you freeze herb butter or sweet butter logs?Yes! Roll the butter tightly in parchment, then wrap it in foil or plastic wrap and store it in the freezer. Are all flowers safe to use in butter?No. Only use flowers labeled as edible or grown organically without pesticides. Nasturtiums, violets, pansies, and calendula are popular edible choices. |
Compound Butter: Final Thoughts
Compound butter is a simple yet impressive way to elevate your cooking and baking. Whether you prefer savory herb blends or sweet floral spreads, these custom butter logs add beauty and bold flavor to your table. Keep a log ready in your fridge or freezer for easy entertaining or everyday indulgence. Experiment with your favorite herbs, spices, and blooms—your tastebuds will thank you!
This article about compound butter was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
