Description
A Butter Board is a visually stunning and delicious appetizer or snack featuring a base of creamy salted butter adorned with various toppings such as jams, nuts, fruits, herbs, and honey. This versatile recipe offers multiple flavor combinations including fig jam with walnuts and honey, cranberry with pistachios and orange zest, roasted garlic with Italian seasoning, and more. Serve it with French bread for guests to spread and enjoy a rich, flavorful experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 lb. Salted Butter, softened
- French Bread, sliced for serving
Topping Options
- Fig Jam or Fig Butter
- Chopped Walnuts
- Honey
- Dates (optional)
- Balsamic Glaze (optional)
- Dried Cranberries
- Pistachios
- Orange Zest
- Fresh Rosemary (optional)
- Roasted Garlic
- Fresh Basil
- Red Chili Flakes
- Italian Seasoning
- Berry Jam
- Fresh Lemon Zest
- Hot Honey
- Almonds, slivered or sliced
- Pomegranate Seeds
Instructions
- Soften the Butter: Allow the salted butter to come to room temperature until it becomes soft and easy to spread. This usually takes about 30-60 minutes.
- Prepare the Butter Board: On a large wooden board, serving platter, or tray, spread the softened butter evenly using a spatula, creating a thick layer with some texture and swirls.
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Add the Toppings: Select your favorite combination of toppings as outlined below, then scatter or drizzle them artfully over the butter layer. For example:
- For a fig-themed board: dot the board with fig jam, chopped walnuts, honey drizzle, optional dates, and balsamic glaze.
- For a cranberry board: sprinkle dried cranberries, pistachios, fresh rosemary, orange zest, and drizzle honey on top.
- For a savory garlic board: mix roasted garlic into the butter first or add on top, then add fresh basil, red chili flakes, and Italian seasoning.
- For a berry board: spread berry jam and fresh lemon zest over the butter.
- For a sweeter honey board: drizzle hot honey, then sprinkle slivered almonds and pomegranate seeds.
- Serve: Arrange French bread slices around the board for spreading. Guests can scoop or spread the butter and toppings as desired. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Use good quality salted butter for the best flavor.
- Butter must be softened to spread easily but not melted.
- The butter board is best served fresh to maintain the texture of toppings.
- You can customize toppings based on seasonality or personal preference.
- Serve with crusty bread, crackers, or vegetable sticks for variety.
Keywords: Butter board, appetizer, butter spread, party snack, savory butter, sweet butter, easy appetizer, French bread, nuts, jams, honey