12 Unique Additions You Can Make to Butter to Have Delicious Spreads

Butter is a kitchen staple known for its rich flavor and creamy texture. Beyond its classic form, it can be transformed into a gourmet delight by incorporating additional ingredients. Whether you're looking to create compound butters, flavored spreads, or enhance your cooking and baking, these additions will take your butter to the next level. Here are twelve ingredients to add to butter for an extra boost of flavor and versatility.

1. Garlic

Garlic adds a savory kick to butter, perfect for spreading on bread, topping steaks, or tossing with pasta. To make garlic butter, finely mince fresh garlic cloves and mix them into softened butter. Optionally, add herbs like parsley or chives for additional flavor complexity.

2. Honey

Honey butter is a delightful addition to breakfast foods like toast, pancakes, or waffles. Blend softened butter with honey to taste, adjusting sweetness as desired. This sweetened butter also complements roasted vegetables or can be used as a glaze for baked goods.

3. Herbs

Herb-infused butter can be made using fresh or dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or basil. All you have to do is chop the herbs finely and mix them into butter. This herb-infused butter is excellent for adding to meats, vegetables, or spreading on bread for a fragrant and flavorful enhancement.

4. Lemon Zest

Lemon zest brightens up butter with its citrusy aroma and tangy flavor. Mix grated lemon zest into softened butter for a refreshing spread on seafood, grilled chicken, or as a topping for vegetables.

5. Chili Peppers

For a kick of heat, finely chop fresh chili peppers (like jalapeños or serranos) and blend them into softened butter. This spicy butter adds depth to corn on the cob, grilled meats, or melted over popcorn for a fiery twist.

6. Maple Syrup

Maple butter is a delicious mix of – you guessed it! – butter and maple syrup! The maple syrup adds a rich sweetness to butter, creating a luxurious spread for pancakes, French toast, or baked sweet potatoes. Mix softened butter with maple syrup until thoroughly combined, adjusting sweetness to taste.

7. Parmesan Cheese

Combine grated parmesan cheese with herbs like parsley or basil into softened butter to make parmesan herb butter. This cheesy butter is ideal for topping pasta, garlic bread, or using as a flavorful base for sauces.

8. Cinnamon

Cinnamon sugar butter is a delicious addition to toast, muffins, or even roasted squash. Mix ground cinnamon and a bit of sugar into softened butter until well blended, adjusting sweetness to your preference.

9. Vanilla Extract

Enhance the sweetness of butter with a hint of vanilla extract. This vanilla bean butter is perfect for spreading on scones, pancakes, or using in baking recipes to add a subtle vanilla flavor.

10. Bacon

Bacon butter combines smoky bacon flavor with creamy butter. Finely chop crispy cooked bacon and mix it into softened butter for a savory spread on biscuits, baked potatoes, or as a topping for grilled meats.

11. Miso Paste

Miso paste adds umami depth to butter, making it a versatile ingredient for Asian-inspired dishes. Mix miso paste into softened butter for a flavorful addition to steamed vegetables, stir-fries, or as a glaze for grilled fish.

12. Coffee

Coffee-infused butter adds a rich, aromatic flavor to baked goods or breakfast treats. Mix finely ground coffee into softened butter, adjusting the intensity to your liking. Spread this coffee butter on toast, use it in frosting for cakes, or melt it over pancakes.