If you’re dreaming of a show-stopping centerpiece for your festive gatherings, look no further than the Holiday Butter Spread Board Recipe. This delightful spread board is a canvas of creamy, flavorful butters each infused with unique twists—from the bright crunch of pomegranate pistachio honey butter to the cozy warmth of cinnamon toast crunch butter. There’s a butter for every craving, making it an irresistible treat for guests and a gorgeous display that elevates any holiday table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in the Holiday Butter Spread Board Recipe plays an important role, combining simple flavors that come together beautifully. Together, they add vibrant colors, exciting textures, and layers of flavor that transform everyday butter into a heroic holiday spread.
- Softened butter: The base for all your butters, providing a creamy canvas that carries each flavor wonderfully.
- Pomegranate seeds: Bursting with sweet-tart brightness and a jewel-like appearance.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness that balances and smooths intense flavors.
- Chopped roasted pistachios: For a nutty crunch and a festive green burst in the honey butter.
- Sea salt: Enhances every ingredient’s flavor with a subtle savory lift.
- Brown sugar and maple syrup: Infuse sweet warmth in the cinnamon butter, mimicking your favorite childhood cereal in a grown-up way.
- Crushed cinnamon cereal or candied walnuts: Provides that nostalgic crunch or nutty texture in cinnamon toast crunch butter.
- Cinnamon: Brings signature spice and aromatic depth.
- Fresh blackberries: Lightly crushed for tangy juiciness in the bourbon pecan butter.
- Chopped toasted pecans: For a toasty, buttery pop in the blackberry bourbon butter.
- Bourbon (optional): Adds warmth and complexity, making the butter bold and memorable.
- Fresh chopped chives: Infuse fresh herbal brightness in the garden herb chive butter.
- Oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil: Classic garden herbs that create an aromatic, savory blend.
- Cracked black pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the garden herb butter.
- Lemon juice or zest: Provides a zesty pop that lifts flavors in herb and berry butters alike.
- Roasted garlic cloves: Bring mellow, caramelized savoriness to the garlic and sun-dried tomato butter.
- Chopped basil and finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes: Round out the roasted garlic butter with herbal vibrancy and tangy richness.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Adds just a touch of heat to keep things interesting.
How to Make Holiday Butter Spread Board Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Butters
Start with softened butter for each flavor base to ensure your mix-ins incorporate smoothly without lumps. Use a hand mixer or sturdy spoon to blend in each ingredient carefully, balancing flavors so no one element overpowers the others.
Step 2: Mix Each Flavor
For the pomegranate pistachio honey butter, gently fold in the pomegranate seeds, honey, chopped pistachios, and a pinch of sea salt. In the cinnamon toast crunch butter, blend brown sugar, maple syrup, crushed cereal or walnuts, cinnamon, sea salt, and an optional dash of vanilla extract for warmth. The blackberry bourbon pecan butter comes to life by mixing crushed blackberries, honey, toasted pecans, bourbon, lemon zest, and salt. For the garden herb chive butter, combine fresh chives and a medley of finely chopped herbs with cracked black pepper, sea salt, and a splash of lemon juice. Lastly, the roasted garlic and sun-dried tomato butter combines roasted garlic, chopped basil, sun-dried tomatoes, and sea salt, optionally adding crushed red pepper flakes for a gentle kick.
Step 3: Shape and Chill
Once mixed, use a spatula to smooth each butter into small serving dishes or form into logs wrapped in parchment paper for easy slicing. Refrigerate for at least an hour to let flavors meld and butters firm up. This step makes spreading deliciously smooth and makes your board look neat and festive.
How to Serve Holiday Butter Spread Board Recipe
Garnishes
Add a final pop of color and texture by garnishing each butter with its key inclusions—think extra pomegranate seeds, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, fresh herb sprigs, or a dusting of cinnamon. These details not only boost visual appeal but hint at the flavors inside, making your guests eager to dive in.
Side Dishes
The Holiday Butter Spread Board Recipe pairs beautifully with artisanal breads like baguettes or sourdough, crisp crackers, and soft dinner rolls. Include fresh vegetables like sliced cucumber or radishes for crunch and freshness. Don’t forget a selection of cheeses, charcuterie, and seasonal fruits to create a fully loaded board that satisfies every palate.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the flavored butters in small bowls or stoneshaped logs on a wooden charcuterie board, surrounded by complementary bites. Label each type with handwritten tags for an elegant touch. Or use clear glass ramekins to showcase the colorful swirls and studded mix-ins for a sophisticated, inviting presentation that doubles as holiday décor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover butters from your Holiday Butter Spread Board Recipe, keep them covered in airtight containers in the refrigerator. They stay fresh and flavorful for up to one week, making it easy to enjoy a luxurious spread with minimal effort after the party.
Freezing
Want to prepare in advance? These flavored butters freeze beautifully. Roll into logs and wrap tightly in parchment or plastic wrap before placing in freezer bags. They can be frozen for up to three months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge for perfect texture and taste.
Reheating
Butter spreads are best served cool or at room temperature but can be gently softened by leaving them out for 20-30 minutes before use. Avoid microwaving as it can break the emulsion and alter texture.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted for this recipe?
It’s best to use unsalted softened butter so you can control the salt level in each flavored butter. Using salted butter may make the spread too salty depending on your mix-ins.
How long does the Holiday Butter Spread Board Recipe last?
When refrigerated, the flavored butters stay fresh for about a week, giving you plenty of time to enjoy them throughout the holiday season.
Can I customize the flavors with other nuts or herbs?
Absolutely! Experimenting with different nuts like almonds or herbs like tarragon can make your spread board uniquely yours while keeping the festive spirit alive.
Is bourbon necessary for the blackberry pecan butter?
Bourbon is optional but adds bold warmth and complexity. If preferred, simply leave it out for a virgin version that’s still full of berry sweetness and crunch.
What’s the best way to serve these butters at a party?
Present them on a beautiful board surrounded by breads, crackers, and complementary accoutrements. Label each butter so guests know what they’re tasting, and provide small spreading knives for easy enjoyment.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Holiday Butter Spread Board Recipe a try this season. It’s such a joy to bring this colorful, flavorful spread to the table—guaranteed to spark smiles, conversations, and maybe even some recipe swapping. Remember, the beauty is in the mix, so customize it, make it your own, and most importantly, savor every last buttery bite!
Print
Holiday Butter Spread Board Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: About 32 tablespoons total (combined from all variations)
- Category: Spread
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Holiday Butter Spread Board features five unique and flavorful compound butters perfect for spreading on bread, crackers, or using as a finishing touch on your favorite dishes. From sweet and fruity to savory herb blends, each butter is crafted with simple ingredients like softened butter, fresh herbs, nuts, honey, and spices. These festive butters are easy to prepare and add holiday cheer to any appetizer or meal.
Ingredients
Pomegranate Pistachio Honey Butter
- 2 cups softened butter
- 6 tbsp pomegranate seeds
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp chopped roasted pistachios
- ½ tsp sea salt
- Pinch of orange zest (optional)
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Butter
- 2 cups softened butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp crushed cinnamon cereal or chopped candied walnuts
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp sea salt
- Dash of vanilla extract (optional)
Blackberry Bourbon Pecan Butter
- 2 cups softened butter
- 6 tbsp fresh blackberries, lightly crushed
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp chopped toasted pecans
- 1 tsp bourbon (optional)
- ½ tsp sea salt
- Hint of lemon zest (optional)
Garden Herb Chive Butter
- 2 cups softened butter
- 4–5 tbsp fresh chopped chives
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp rosemary
- ½ tsp thyme
- ½ tsp basil
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp lemon juice or zest (optional)
Roasted Garlic & Sun-Dried Tomato Butter
- 2 cups softened butter
- 4–5 cloves roasted garlic, mashed
- 2 tbsp chopped basil
- 2 tbsp finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- ½ tsp sea salt
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Butter Base: Soften the butter by leaving it at room temperature until it becomes easily spreadable. Divide the butter evenly among five bowls for each flavor variety.
- Make Pomegranate Pistachio Honey Butter: To one bowl, fold in pomegranate seeds, honey, chopped roasted pistachios, and sea salt. Add a pinch of orange zest if desired. Mix gently until fully incorporated.
- Make Cinnamon Toast Crunch Butter: Mix brown sugar, maple syrup, crushed cinnamon cereal or chopped candied walnuts, cinnamon, and sea salt into a second bowl of butter. Add vanilla extract if using, and stir thoroughly.
- Make Blackberry Bourbon Pecan Butter: In a third bowl, combine lightly crushed blackberries, honey, toasted pecans, bourbon (if using), and sea salt. Add lemon zest for brightness if desired. Blend carefully to keep some berry texture.
- Make Garden Herb Chive Butter: Add chopped chives, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, cracked black pepper, and sea salt to the fourth bowl of butter. Strike a balance between evenly distributing herbs and maintaining butter texture. Optionally add lemon juice or zest for freshness.
- Make Roasted Garlic & Sun-Dried Tomato Butter: Mix mashed roasted garlic, chopped basil, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and sea salt into the fifth butter portion. Add crushed red pepper flakes for some heat if you like.
- Shape and Chill: Spoon each flavored butter onto parchment paper or plastic wrap and shape into logs or mounds. Refrigerate until firm, about 1-2 hours, before serving.
- Serve: Arrange the butters on a board with crackers, bread, and fresh fruit for a festive spread. Keep chilled until ready to eat.
Notes
- Each butter yields approximately 32 tablespoons total when combined.
- Use softened butter for easy mixing and smooth consistency.
- Adjust sweetness or saltiness to taste in each butter.
- Optional additions like citrus zest or vanilla enhance flavors nicely.
- Store leftover compound butters tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
- These butters make great gifts when rolled into logs and sliced before packaging.
