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The butter board is a new way of making the classic charcuterie board or cheese board. Butter boards are the perfect party appetizer as they can be made without cooking, look expensive, and taste really good when done correctly!
This butter board recipe is a fun way to try something different for dinner parties or when you are hosting a small group of friends. Learn how to style your butter board, what to top it with, and tips and tricks on making one with this complete guide on how to make a butter board.
The Butter Board
A fun spin on the traditional charcuterie boards and cheese boards that have been around for a while now, the new butter board trend has taken off on social media and TikTok.
A butter board is softened butter smeared or scalloped onto a rustic board or tray, then topped off with fresh herbs, sauces, nuts, and other toppings to add flavor. This latest food trend was started by the TikTok video done by food influencer Justine Doiron.
Types of Butter Boards
Butter boards can be done in many different ways. First, decide if you’re wanting to have savory-style butter or if a dessert-style board is more what you are looking for.
Sweet Butter Board
For example, if you’re wanting to make a sweet dessert board, try adding sugar with a complimentary spice like cinnamon or nutmeg and toasted pecans. Serve with a loaf of sweet bread, or a loaf of cinnamon bread or try it with a loaf this delicious no-butter banana bread!
Savory Butter Board
For a more savory version, try using fresh herbs and roasted garlic. Or even a pesto sauce topped with a roasted tomato on top. Serve with a sliced loaf of complimentary homemade artisan bread or french bread that has been toasted.
There are so many different ways to make a delicious savory butter board, try putting your own favorite combination together.
Flavor Combinations for Butter Boards
A few flavor combinations for favorite butter board ideas are:
- Capris Style Board. Top with pesto sauce, fresh basil, goat cheese, olive oil, and roasted tomatoes. Serve with pieces of bread
- Sweet & Savory Butter Board. Top butter with fresh sliced pears, and toasted pine nuts, and drizzle with honey.
- Breakfast Board. Sprinkle the butter with cinnamon and sugar, toasted pecans, and then drizzle with maple syrup. Garnish with candied or dried orange slices and serve with sweet bread.
- Lavender & Honey Board. Infuse the butter with a few drops of high-grade lavender essential oil. Spread the butter and sprinkle with lavender buds and drizzle with honey.
- Lemon, Thyme, and Roasted Garlic. Top butter with thyme and fresh roasted garlic. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice on top.
- Rosemary, Roasted Garlic, and Cranberry. Fresh rosemary and sauteed cranberries topped with roasted garlic and lemon juice. Try this rosemary garlic butter recipe.
- Chocolate Butter Board. Whipped chocolate butter topped with chocolate chips and a few toffee chunks. Drizzle with a little bit of chocolate sauce and serve with sliced sweet bread.
Almost any flavor combinations that are good on pizzas, in sauces, or in other recipes can be made into a butter board. The sky is truly the limit.
Boards to Use
Part of the enjoyment of eating a butter board comes from the beautiful display and aesthetic of the board itself. Try using a beautiful antique cutting board, rustic wood plank, wooden cutting board, or Carrara marble cutting board as a few fun options. Slate boards, a chopping board, plastic board or laying paper on a countertop will work too, pretty much any flat surface will do.
If the safety of the wooden board is a concern for you, try adding wax paper or parchment paper to the base of the board prior to making your board.
11″ Round $38
10″ Wide $41
11″ Round $24
Rosegold – Wood
8″ long $6
Materials Required
Board of your choosing
Parchment Paper
Spatula or Rounded Cheese Knife or Butter Knife
Bread Knife
Ingredients
- Soft Butter – Salted or Unsalted butter works, just make sure to adjust the amount of salt you add to the top accordingly.
- Flaky Salt
- Toppings of your Choice
- Warm Bread of Your Choice
How to Make A Butter Board
- Soften butter to a workable consistency. It is the most spreadable when the butter can make swirls or peaks. Don’t overheat your butter, you don’t want it to melt.
- Optional but it is a good idea to add parchment paper or wax paper to your board if you don’t want the butter to touch the surface directly.
- Apply butter to the charcuterie board of your choice. It can be applied in a rustic slab or shaped into a design (like this wreath idea for the holidays) depending on the style of board you choose. Add any additional swirls or peaks at this point too.
- Sprinkle the butter with flaky sea salt.
- Layer with your favorite flavor combinations.
- Serve with delicious sliced crusty bread or baguette.
Tips and Tricks for Making a Butter Board
Soften the Butter
This is a step you won’t want to miss as cold butter will not spread well. The butter should be workable but not melted. You want to be able to make swirls or peaks with your butter when you display it.
Make It Ahead
One of the best features of this type of appetizer is that it can be made in advance. Simply store the board at room temperature or in a refrigerator depending on when you need to serve it.
Add Parchment Paper
To save your board from getting dirty and transferring any unwanted bacteria, try adding parchment paper to the board before you put the butter on.
Adding parchment paper will also protect your board from any long-term damage as the oils from the butter can soak into wood or marble.
Use a Spatula or Icing Spreader
Use a spatula or icing spreader to apply the butter. This will help the butter go on quicker and smoother. The back of a spoon can work if that is all you have on hand.
Think Outside Of The Box
Try using ingredients you haven’t before. Everything from edible flowers, to essential oils! The more unusual the better for this new trend.
Add an Acid
Make sure to add citrus zest, lemon zest or juice, or some other type of acid to help contrast the fat in the butter.
How to Store
Room Temperature – Butter can stay at room temperature for up to two days so depending on the topping you choose, you can leave it out.
Refrigerate – Store the leftover butter in an airtight container or wrap it with plastic wrap and keep it for up to a week.
Hopefully, you give this butter board trend a try. It is one of the easiest appetizers I have made. If you try this one, let me know how it turns out in the comments below. Also, make sure to Pin this one for later so you can come back and try it repeatedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
The spreadable charcuterie trend doesn’t just stop at butter! Any spreadable cheese or even peanut butter can work too. Try making a peanut butter board, or cream cheese board using cream cheese, goat cheese, or mascarpone cheese as a base too.
If you are concerned about the safety of using the butter directly on the board, try adding parchment paper or wax paper to the board first. Also, be sure to store your butter properly to avoid the risk of food poisoning.
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Equipment
- Board of your choosing
- Spatula or Rounded Cheese Knife or Butter Knife Bread
Ingredients
- 1 cup Soft Butter Salted or Unsalted butter work, just make sure to adjust the amount of salt you add to the top accordingly.
- 1 teaspoon Flaky Salt
- Toppings of your Choice
- Warm Bread or Crackers of Your Choice
Instructions
- Soften butter to a workable consistency. It is the most spreadable when the butter can make swirls or peaks.
- Optional but it is a good idea to add parchment paper or wax paper to your board if you don’t want the butter to touch the board directly.
- Apply butter to the charcuterie board of your choice. Add any additional swirls or peaks at this point too.
- Sprinkle the butter with flaky sea salt.
- Layer with your favorite flavor combinations.
- Serve with delicious sliced crusty bread or baguette.
Notes
- Don’t overheat your butter, you don’t want it to melt.
- Use a spatula or icing spreader to apply the butter. This will help the butter go on quicker and smoother. The back of a spoon can work if that is all you have on hand.
- To save your board from getting dirty and transferring any unwanted bacteria from the board, try adding parchment paper to the board before you put the butter on. Adding parchment paper will also protect your board from any long-term damage as the oils from the butter can soak into wood or marble.
- The butter can be applied in a rustic slab or shaped into a design (like this wreath idea for the holidays) depending on the style of board you choose.
- Make sure to add citrus zest, lemon zest or juice, or some other type of acid to the butter board to help contrast the fat in the butter.
