Easy Compound Butters for Holidays

What’s Up, Hungry People

My favorite part about the holidays might literally be the bread and butter.

Seriously, what holiday goes by without some good buttered buns? This year, I’m totally into compound butters, which is just a fancy way of saying flavored butter. The other difference is the type of butter used, generally an Amish, hand-rolled variety. Step aside Country Crock, rolled compound butter is a BIG DEAL this holiday season.

Amish roll butter is traditionally made using old-fashioned churning methods, often resulting in a richer, creamier texture compared to standard butter. It typically contains a higher butterfat content, which gives it a more luxurious mouthfeel and deeper flavor. Standard butter, on the other hand, is usually produced on a larger scale, often with added preservatives and a more uniform consistency. The Amish variety is also rolled into logs, making it perfect for slicing into thick, indulgent pats.

What the heck is compound butter??

Compound butter is essentially regular butter that’s been blended with various herbs, spices, and other tasty ingredients. It’s a super simple way to add a burst of flavor to your dishes, whether you’re spreading it on bread, melting it over vegetables, or using it to baste your holiday turkey. Think of it as a little gourmet upgrade for your everyday meals!

Note: I used a five-pound roll of butter that I separated into two pounds for my turkey and then split the rest between four flavors of butter. Each smaller roll was about a half-pound of butter, and the following recipes will follow as such.

Here are some of my favorite flavor combinations:

Herb Butter

• Garlic powder – adds a rich, savory depth.
• Thyme – brings a subtle, earthy note.
• Oregano – gives a hint of Mediterranean flair.
• Black pepper – adds a bit of spice and balance.

This butter is perfect for your turkey (or chicken) because it has subtle flavors from fresh herbs like thyme and oregano. With just a dash of garlic powder and black pepper, it brings a full-bodied flavor to your turkey or any bird really.

Of course, you can also use it for your rolls!

Rosemary Maple Paprika Butter

• Maple syrup – for a touch of sweetness.
• Paprika – gives a mild heat and vibrant color.
• Rosemary – adds a woody, fragrant note.
• Thyme – complements the rosemary with a hint of earthiness.

It’s perfect on sweet rolls because it adds just enough spice from the paprika to really emphasize the sweetness of the butter!

Curry Masala Butter

• Garam masala – infuses a warm, complex spice mix.
• Marjoram – offers a subtle, sweet flavor.

I’m a huge fan of ethnic cuisines like Indian. I take a lot of inspiration from Indian flavors, especially curry.

With a combination of hot yellow curry, garam masala and marjoram, this unusual butter disappeared off my table before I could even say what I was thankful for!

Traditional Garlic Butter

• Garlic powder – delivers a punch of garlic flavor.
• Parsley – adds freshness and color.

What I love about garlic butter is that it can be used for pretty much everything! From buttering buns to cooking, garlic butter is the most versatile of all my compound butters.

I even found myself hiding this one so I could use it again for my own cooking later!

Honey Cinnamon Butter

• Honey – brings natural sweetness.
• Cinnamon – adds a warm, comforting spice.

For those who like to eat dessert first, honey cinnamon compound butter is made just for them.

While most people enjoy the savory side of the holidays, I am here for the sweets—so much so that I like to slather sweet stuff on my savory stuff.

Tips and Tricks

• Room Temperature Butter: Always bring the butter to room temperature before mixing. It makes combining ingredients much easier and ensures even distribution of flavors.
• Storage: Roll the mixed butter in parchment paper and twist the ends tightly. This keeps the butter fresh and makes it easy to slice off what you need.
• Freezing: Compound butters freeze wonderfully. Make a big batch and store them in the freezer. When you need them, just slice off what you need and let it come to room temperature.
• Custom Flavors: Feel free to experiment with your favorite herbs and spices. Compound butters are incredibly versatile, and you can create endless flavor combinations to suit your taste.
• Serving Suggestions: These butters are not just for bread. Use them to flavor vegetables, meats, and even pasta. They can add a gourmet touch to any meal.

At the end of the day, I took a log of butter and transformed it into five very different kinds of butter—and honestly, that’s all I’ve ever dreamed of.

Now gimme a hunk of bread so I can get to eating!

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