Whipped hot honey butter is a tasty, versatile spread that comes together in less than 5 minutes. You can serve the spicy honey butter with everything from meat entrees and roasted vegetables to cornbread.
What is Compound Butter?
Compound butter is softened butter mixed with flavorful add-ins, such as fresh herbs, sauces, minced garlic, and even hot honey, to create a versatile spread.
Key Ingredients
You just need four simple ingredients to make this sweet-and-spicy spread.
- Butter: Use salted butter, softened to room temperature for smooth blending. I recommend a high-quality butter like Kerrygold for the best flavor and texture.
- Honey: Make your own hot honey by stirring the spices directly into plain honey, or use store-bought hot honey and skip the extra ingredients.
- Spices: Mix cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes directly into the compound butter to give the spread its signature heat.
Additions and Substitutions
- Experiment with mix-ins. Add a splash of fresh lemon juice or a bit of orange or lemon zest. Stir in some minced garlic, finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary. You can even substitute the honey for maple syrup.
- Crank up the heat. Increase the amount of red chili flakes and cayenne. Or you can add a little of your favorite hot sauce or a spicy seasoning like this Slap Ya Mama seasoning recipe for more heat.
Equipment
I typically mix the hot honey butter using a fork for a more rustic texture, mainly because I don’t enjoy washing butter out of my appliances. That said, I love using a food processor, hand mixer, or stand mixer with a paddle attachment to whip the butter into a smoother spread.
How to Make Hot Honey Butter
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Place the butter in a large bowl and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, until softened.
Step 2: Add the honey, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Step 3: Beat the ingredients using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment for 2 minutes on low to medium speed. Scrape the sides of the bowl and beat on high for 2-3 minutes, until the butter is light and creamy.
Step 4: Use the butter right away, or transfer it to a sheet of parchment paper. Shape it into a log, roll tightly, and twist the ends to seal. Refrigerate until firm, then slice into rounds as needed.
Tip
For a more rustic hot honey butter, mix everything with a fork.
Expert Tips
- Use room-temperature butter. Let the butter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until soft and easily spreadable.
- Whip the butter. For whipped honey butter, you need to use the right tools. A hand mixer or stand mixer is necessary to incorporate air and get that light, creamy texture.
Make this simple hot honey butter recipe, and pair it with one of these tasty recipes!
Ways to Use Hot Honey Butter
Hot honey butter pairs perfectly with classics like warm buttermilk biscuits, fluffy dinner rolls, fried chicken, juicy corn on the cob, roasted vegetables, and cornbread with an extra drizzle of honey.
Melt a pat of compound butter over air fryer ribeye steak and grilled chicken, or add a little sweet heat to breakfast favorites like chicken and waffles, French toast, or oat milk pancakes.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store the hot honey compound butter in an airtight container for 1 week.
- Freeze: Wrap the butter in plastic wrap or parchment paper to prevent freezer burn, and transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag for 6 months. No need to thaw, just slice off what you need while cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to soften butter?
Leave the butter on the counter at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour to soften, making it easy to mix with the other ingredients.
More Compound Butter Recipes:
- Pesto Butter
- Bone Marrow Butter
- Onion Butter
- Chimichurri Butter
Hot Honey Butter
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment
- 1 stick salted butter, softened at room temperature
- ¼ cup honey
- 1½ teaspoons cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Place the butter in a large bowl and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, until softened.
- Add the honey, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Beat the ingredients using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment for 2 minutes on low to medium speed. Scrape the sides of the bowl and beat on high for 2-3 minutes, until the butter is light and creamy.Tip: For a more rustic hot honey butter, mix everything with a fork.
- Use the butter right away, or transfer it to a sheet of parchment paper. Shape it into a log, roll tightly, and twist the ends to seal. Refrigerate until firm, then slice into rounds as needed.
- Use room-temperature butter. Let the butter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until soft and easily spreadable.
- Whip the butter. For whipped honey butter, you need to use the right tools. A hand mixer or stand mixer is necessary to incorporate air and get that light, creamy texture.