Butter boards are one of those things that you may not think you need, but once you have one, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. A butter board is simply a board (usually made of wood or marble) on which you can put a stick of butter to soften it.
This may not seem like a big deal, but if you’ve ever tried to spread hard, cold butter on toast or baking, you know how frustrating it can be. With a butter board, all you have to do is set the stick of butter on the board and let it sit for a few minutes; then, it will be soft and easy to spread.
Trust me; a butter board is a game-changer. No wonder social media platforms such as Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook are full of butter board ideas.
How do you make a butter board?
The idea is simple: spread softened butter on a serving board or tray and top it with any savory or sweet (or both!) items you desire. Serve with sliced bread, and you’ll have a show-stopping spread for your next party.
You can use any real butter (not margarine), and salty tastes better than unsalted. We especially adore Kerrygold Irish butter, which has a luxurious flavor, a beautiful golden hue, and an inexpensive price tag.
If you wanted to go “extra,” you could manufacture homemade butter using our method. It’s easier than you think and more valuable if the supposed butter scarcity occurs this winter.
Allow the butter to come to room temperature before spreading it elegantly onto a serving board or tray with a butter knife or tiny offset spatula.
Toppings can be whatever you want from here!
You can use essential herbs and spices, sweet and spicy combinations, seasonal flavors, or pretty much anything else you can think of.
Butter board ingredients
Unsalted butter takes the cake in this situation. Obtain some exquisite golden butter. A butter board consists primarily of bread and butter, so both ingredients must be high-quality.
A fantastic, widely available brand is Kerrygold. It is also a great choice if you can find locally-produced butter.
Giant flakes of flaky sea salt are attractive, crunchy, and feel exceptional. Maldon sea salt, both the ordinary and the smoked flakes, is something we enjoy using.
Likewise fantastic is Jacobsen Salt Co. They offer a variety of flavored salts, and their salt is produced locally in the Pacific Northwest.
Black pepper that has just been freshly ground and other peppers like chili flakes give warmth and heat.
You don’t need many spices to make your butter sing; just a few will do. Please make sure they are fresh, though! Za’atar butter or everything bagel butter is also fantastic, and spice blends work great.
Fresh garlic has a hot bite, but roasted garlic has a mellow warmth. A board covered in garlic butter is the epitome of heaven for me since I adore it.
The herb world is vast and tasty. Consider thyme, chopped rosemary, chopped parsley, basil, chives, sage, tarragon, mint, cilantro, and green onions.
Nuts: Chopped nuts give texture and crunch. Pick your favorite nut, or try pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.
Sweet: To balance the savory flavor, add sweetness with a drizzle of honey, sliced fruit, fruit compotes, jams, or even maple syrup. For breakfast, butter boards served with pancakes or waffles, sweetness, and butter work particularly well.
What kind of butter for a butter board?
Kerrygold Pure Irish Grass-fed Butter is a fantastic option for any butter board. Kerrygold is an award-winning European butter made from the milk of grass-fed cows.
Kerrygold has a distinctively rich, creamy flavor and a beautiful yellow color due to natural carotenoids in the grasses that cows graze on in their green pastures.
Kerrygold gives your butter board an unbeatable taste experience while providing essential nutrients like Vitamin A, D, Omega 3 fatty acids, and more! With Kerrygold Pure Irish Grass-fed Butter on your butter board, you’ll enjoy a classic flavor with a nutritious twist.
Who invented butter boards?
The invention of butter boards is credited to a German dairyman who, in 1899, decided to employ an innovative way to maximize butter production while minimizing butter wastage.
Believing that butter could be cut into significantly more uniform pieces than what was seen with most butter knives at the time, this creative dairyman crafted a tool that allowed the butter to be cut according to its thickness — a butter board!
An innovation century ahead of its time, butter boards are still as popular and valuable 100 years later as they were back then.
Why are butter boards popular?
Butter boards are having a significant moment right now, and it’s not hard to see why. Butter boards add a touch of sophistication and charm to any dinner setting while proving immensely practical – they make it easy to butter slices of bread neatly and provide a convenient holder for butter during buttering.
Butter boards are visually appealing and reduce butter waste by containing any butter that melts off our toast or rolls, making them an eco-friendly choice.
With their stylish designs and ability to keep butter mess-free, butter boards have become indispensable for everyday use. It’s no wonder that butter boards have quickly become popular among dining aficionados everywhere!
How to artfully smoosh the butter
Unleash your inner artist and give the butter a truly unique look with the back of a spoon or offset spatula. Whip up creamery-style divots using an easy silicone technique reminiscent of frosting on cake batter to achieve that perfect wave pattern. Perfection takes practice, so ensure you use softened butter at just the right temperature for ideal results!
Best butter board idea
Justine Doiron’s signature combination of honey, coriander, and more is sure to excite your taste buds.
Or try fresh figs drizzled in honey for a sweet treat, or add some kick with sea salt, lime zest, Calabrian chili flakes, and more!
Whole roasted garlic cloves combined with parsley & flaky salt make the perfect aromatic concoction.
Lemon lovers should chop thin slices into oven-caramelized lemons topped off by lemon zests, minty sweetness from honey & freshly cut herbs, plus fragrant flaky salt – what could be better?
Crunch up pistachios, then top it all off with basil leaves and chopped tomatoes for roasting perfection before sprinkling on something special like scallions that have been slow-roasted until golden brown alongside finely sliced green onions.
Indulge in the zingy flavor of gremolata, made with toasted pine nuts, lemon zest, and a mix of parsley & garlic.
Discover Italian cuisine anew with classic pesto – crushed garlic paired with basil & parmesan, and fresh fig for added depth.
Don’t forget dark chocolate shavings sprinkled over fresh raspberries dusted with flaky salt! And experience something truly indulgent by adding chopped hazelnuts to our luxurious milk-and-dark combination – salted just enough for that extra bite!
How to serve a butter board
Making the butter board just before serving. There is no need to prepare them beforehand because they come together fairly rapidly.
If you must prepare your butter board ahead of time, do so, then place it in the refrigerator to keep the butter chilled.
Before serving, take the butter board out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
Place the butter board in the center of the table, surrounded by dippers, small plates, tiny butter knives, and napkins.
I’m done now! Each person can use knives or spoons to serve themselves by spreading the flavored butter onto the bread.
Butter board dippers
Crispy, freshly baked loaves of country bread, sourdough, and baguettes are the perfect accompaniment for luxurious butter boards.
For a divine experience, try toasting your slices with melted butter, adding an extra layer of flavor that can’t be beaten!
Cheese crackers, seeded crackers, or homemade small-batch sourdough ones make delicious companions. Sweet tooth?
Why not indulge in breakfast goodies like scones or waffles alongside some sweet jam preserves and herbs on your board – yum!
To add even more crunch – why not try adding vegetables such as radishes & snap peas- salty dips need never look back!
Are butter boards safe?
Fear not! You can still use butter boards without letting bacteria spread across your table. Instead, lay down parchment paper or place individual cute little serving plates and dipping bowls to ensure everyone is covered (literally!) in terms of hygiene standards – no double-dipping allowed here!
Remind guests to scoop their desired amount using small spoons/knives instead, and remember that the perfect room temperature helps keep things running smoothly.
What kind of board for a butter board?
To get the best performance out of your butter board cutting technique, opt for a clean and dry wooden board devoted to such tasks. If that’s not feasible, you can always go with an alternative: using a large flat plate – this should satisfy all critics of the traditional method!
Butter board tips and tricks
Give your butter some time to shine! Allowing unsalted, high-quality butter to come up to room temperature for at least 30 minutes allows you to season it according to its tastiness.
Take it above and beyond with flaky sea salt, freshly coarse ground pepper herbs, nuts, or seeds of choice – even add sweetness from honey drizzled on top.
To avoid cross-contamination while using spreads between slices, try sticking out separate instruments (no double dipping!) and presenting them in style – all the more reason why we recommend placing that lovely board onto an easy dishwasher washable plate instead.
Make Ahead & Storage
Elevate your charcuterie board with an easy make-ahead tip.
To ensure the ingredients stay at their optimal freshness, spread butter on the board and refrigerate in fridge until ready to serve. However, it’s best to wait until serving time for decorative zests or sauces – this will help keep them vibrant!
Don’t forget to cover up the cheese before returning it to storage; as a little sponge of flavors, you don’t want anything else influencing its unique taste when served next time.
If there are leftovers after enjoying your tasty creation – wrap them in plastic or store them in airtight containers and freeze them away for later enjoyment! Add some excitement by considering cream cheese as part of upcoming charcuterie boards – get creative & start Trending ASAP!
How to Make Your Own Delicious Butter Board
Butter boards are taking the internet by storm. They’re a delicious and aesthetically pleasing way to enjoy your favorite appetizer spreads, cheeses, and other snacks. Plus, making your butter board is easy and fun! Read on to learn how you can make your gorgeous butter board in no time.
Getting Started
To begin, gather all of your ingredients and supplies. You’ll need a wooden board or platter, softened butter (unsalted is best), fresh herbs (basil and green onions work great), fresh lemon zest, roasted garlic cloves, flaky salt (such as Maldon sea salt), freshly ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, edible flowers (optional), honey for drizzling (optional), and any other ingredients you’d like to include on your board.
Now that your ingredients are ready, it’s time to assemble the butter board. Start by spreading softened butter onto the wooden board or platter in an even layer using a butter knife or spoon.
Then sprinkle generously with the lemon zest, fresh herbs, roasted garlic cloves, flaky salt, freshly ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, and edible flowers if desired. Finally, drizzle with honey if desired.
Serving Your Butter Board
Now that your butter board is assembled, it’s time to serve it up! Serve alongside warm bread or toast slices such as baguette slices, sourdough slices or crackers for dipping into the delicious spreadable mixture of flavors.
If you are preparing ahead of time for an event or gathering later on in the day, wrap your butter board tightly with plastic wrap or parchment paper until ready to serve.
When it comes time for serving, remove it from the wrapping and enjoy! Be sure that guests do not double dip into the mixture as this can cause contamination, so provide separate utensils for each guest, such as a small wooden spoon, to help prevent double dipping from happening!
Conclusion
Making a delicious butter board is a fun and simple way to elevate any meal or snack! Whether you’re hosting a gathering or looking for something new to mix up snack time at home, this recipe will surely hit the spot!
With its combination of creamy, buttery goodness mixed with bright notes of citrus zest plus savory herbs & spices, this butter board is sure to be a hit amongst all ages & tastes!
So why not give it a try? It may even become your next charcuterie board trend! Enjoy!
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
