With food, it’s so easy to over-think and over-do, and so often the best things are incredibly simple. One of my favorite things to make for company, or to take to a party, is a simple compound butter. They’re so easy, and so quick, and all you have to do is grab a yummy loaf of bread at the grocery store bakery, and you made something completely impressive and delicious with a little more than zero effort. I make both sweet and savory butters all the time, and this Sweet Orange -Berry Butter is one of everyone’s favorites.
Ingredients and Equipment Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
Ingredients
- Butter – Use real butter! I use salted.
- Honey
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh orange zest – Orange zest adds a burst of citrus flavor and beautiful orange speckles to the finished butter.
- Dried or freeze dried berries – I know some people add fresh berries to compound butters, but it can get tricky because you’re introducing moisture into the mix and it can cause the butter to start separating and make a big mess. I find that using dried or freeze dried berries works well consistently and stores longer, as well.
You can usually find a variety of of dried berries at the grocery store (and even more at stores that sell bulk items, and health food stores). I like the bagged mixes that have strawberries and blueberries, and cherries in them. You can always use dried cranberries, but I do prefer at least a mix of that contains the other berries as well. You’ll also want to chop them quite finely so they’re small enough to spread nicely.
Using freeze dried berries is another option, and I like to make this with a combination of both. But you can certainly use just one or the other. You can find freeze dried berries in more and more places these days. The ones pictured are from Target. Freeze dried berries are light and crunchy, and kind of melt in your mouth. They’re the kind of berries you find in cereal. The trick when using them here is to allow the butter enough time to sit before serving so the berries can absorb some moisture and lose their crunch. You’ll also want to smash them pretty finely so they just blend in and are able to soften up.
Equipment
- Electric mixer – A handheld mixer works great, or a stand mixer. You can, of course, mix the butter by hand but it’s much better when it has plenty of air whipped in, making it light and fluffy.
How to Make Sweet Orange-Berry Butter
- The butter starts with a toned-down version of our classic honey butter, with a touch of powdered sugar and honey for sweetness. Whipping that all together makes the butter light and fluffy to start with, and then we can add in some flavor.
- You can use dried berries and/or freeze dried berries here. Just chop/crush them small so they are well distributed. Use an electric mixer to beat it all together. Beating helps to incorporate some air into the mix so the finished texture is really light and fluffy.
- For best flavor, allow the butter to rest in the fridge for an hour or two before use.
Storing and Other Tips
- Compound butter needs to be stored in the fridge, but you’ll want to serve it at room temp, so if it’s chilled, just leave it out for about 20 minutes before serving.
- It will stay good in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
- This makes such a great hostess gift with a cute little tag on it. Or pop it in a basket with a fresh loaf of bread or muffins for a really nice neighbor gift or pick-me-up for a friend. (Nothing picks-me-up like butter.)
- It’s so yummy on cornbread, baguette slices, or a piece of toast, and especially pancakes, crepes, and waffles. Or a sugar cookie. Or graham crackers. Or anything else you can possibly find in your pantry when you are out of all of the other things I just mentioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave out the added sugar?
The powdered sugar helps the finished butter fluff up (compared to just honey alone). That said, you can adjust amounts to suit your taste!
Can I add other ingredients?
Sure, just start small and taste as you go. Warm slices like cinnamon would be a great addition.
Can I use fresh or frozen berries?
I have found that fresh and frozen berries contribute water to the butter, making the final product really inconsistent. It will go bad faster as well.
Sweet Orange-Berry Butter
This compound butter is quick and easy; it makes a great gift, or a beautiful and delicious accompaniment to any breakfast and brunch table.
Servings servings of 1 tablespoon
Equipment
- jars for gifting or serving
Ingredients
- 1 cup real butter at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- zest from one large orange
- 3 tablespoons berries, dried finely chopped; try a mix of strawberries, blueberries and cherries
- 1-2 tablespoons berries, freeze dried crushed
Instructions
- Beat butter, honey, and powdered sugar with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Add in remaining ingredients and beat at medium-high speed until combined. Add berries to taste and sub all dried, or all freeze-dried as desired.
- Serve at room temperature on toast or french bread, waffles, muffins, cornbread, pancakes, or crepes.
- If using freeze dried fruit, I recommend letting the butter sit for at least 6-8 hours, or overnight before serving, for best results.
Notes
- Compound butter needs to be stored in the fridge, but you’ll want to serve it at room temp, so if it’s chilled, just leave it out for about 20 minutes before serving.
- It will stay good in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
- This makes such a great hostess gift with a cute little tag on it. Or pop it in a basket with a fresh loaf of bread or muffins for a really nice neighbor gift or pick-me-up for a friend. (Nothing picks-me-up like butter.)
- It’s so yummy on cornbread, baguette slices, or a piece of toast, and especially pancakes, crepes, and waffles. Or a sugar cookie. Or graham crackers. Or anything else you can possibly find in your pantry when you are out of all of the other things I just mentioned. You always have spoons, and eating butter from a spoon is completely acceptable if it’s flavored butter and there are no witnesses.
Nutrition
Serving: 1tablespoon, Calories: 132kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 0.2g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 91mg, Potassium: 18mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 355IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 0.2mg
Calories: 132kcal
Cost: $5
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Questions & Reviews
I’ve made some savory butters before, but never thought of a sweet one! This one sounds perfect for adding a bit of summery warmth in the cold winter…
I love compound butters! And this may be a little off topic, but I love your hair and am wondering how you get those great beachy waves! 🙂
Haha, thanks Becky. Funny thing is that when I posted that photo my first thought was how frizzed out my hair was in that Portland humidity! I started using one of those cone-style curling irons- I have this one, specifically, and I love it!
You have a beautiful family. This butter looks amazing, can’t wait to try it!
Yum! Now this is what I love about OBB!
Lol- good to hear it, Sherri! 🙂 Please remember all of our yummy recipes like this the next time you see something that includes Mac n’ Cheese, because there’s a few more of those comin’, haha. We love ya!
That looks really yummy! Love the flavor combinations. Congrats on your sisters wedding 🙂
That butter sounds amazing! I just may try that this weekend at our granddaughter’s blessing family luncheon. 🙂
Also – since you are familiar with the Portland and Seattle areas, any advice on what to see/do on a one day trip to both places? My daughter and I are taking a road trip in a few weeks from Portland to Vancouver, BC, and then back to Eugene. We’re so excited! I’d appreciate any suggestions! Thank you!!
I’d just hit the Seattle waterfront. You can walk Pike Place Market (a must) and then walk down to the piers and stroll through the shops and sights there, and take a ferry ride. Definitely my favorite Seattle-day 🙂 If you have time, check out the Oregon coast, it’s only about an hour from Portland and my fave place around there 🙂
This looks delicious and would be a perfect compliment to some homemade rolls for a nice after school treat. I love the embellishment on the bouquet too, what a wonderful way to carry something of moms with you. Your family looks so cute, i love the boys ties.
Also I think that I am going to look into indoor skydiving for my husband for his next birthday. He wants to jump, but I don’t want him too.
Yeah, check it out Susan- I actually got it for my husband’s birthday, too!
My mom hosted a party where she made giant pans of delicious lasagna and my job was to supply the bread and butter. I’m sort of known as the cook in my extended family, so, of course, I had to find a way to make it stand out. I made two different herb butters and they were the stars of the party. I literally caught my aunt eating some with a spoon! I felt bad showing up my mom’s lasagna, but thought it was crazy how many compliments I got out of such a simple process. Can’t wait to try this one for Thanksgiving breakfast this year! (Don’t worry mom…NOTHING can outshine your turkey!)
This looks lovely. I have never come across flavored butter before so I’m pretty excited! But maybe I’ve been blog reading with my eyes closed 🙂
Thank you Sara for the picture of Becca’s bouquet. Yes, my favorite part of it was your mother’s beaded embellishment. It is beautiful! It was a wonderful wedding all the way around.