Honey butter is creamy, dreamy, and one of my favorite homemade condiments. Whip it with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt, and you have a versatile spread that elevates almost any dish.
Spread it on warm Southern cornbread, smear it over a slice of homemade beer bread, or stir it into cooked sweet potatoes — it’s simple and irresistible. I also love a dab of honey butter on a warm buttermilk muffin for an indulgent breakfast treat.
This easy whipped honey butter recipe is perfect for savory bakes like jalapeño cornbread or as a sweet finishing touch for dinner rolls. It uses just a few pantry staples and comes together in minutes.
Table of Contents
- 🥘 Ingredients Needed
- 🍽 Equipment Needed
- How to Make Whipped Butter
- 🫙 How to Store Honey Butter
- 🧈 Whipped Butter Variations
- 🍞 What to Serve with Homemade Honey Butter
- Easy Honey Butter (Whipped) Recipe
🥘 Ingredients Needed
- Regular butter – Use softened (room temperature) butter, not melted. Softened butter whips up light and combines smoothly with honey. Salted butter works well; if you use unsalted, add sea salt to taste.
- Honey – Any honey you enjoy; local honey adds a lovely flavor.
- Flaky sea salt – A pinch to finish, which enhances the sweetness.
- Optional additions – For a cinnamon version add vanilla extract and ground cinnamon; for a creamer, sweeter spread add a little confectioners’ sugar.
🍽 Equipment Needed
- An electric hand mixer — it whips the butter fluffy and scrapes the bowl better than a stand mixer for this small batch.
- A small mixing bowl
- A rubber spatula to scrape the sides and transfer the butter.
How to Make Whipped Butter
Whipping honey butter gives it a light, spreadable texture that’s perfect on warm breads and baked goods. The method is quick and straightforward.
Start with softened butter. Place the butter in a small bowl and whip with an electric hand mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add the honey and mix until evenly combined. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula to incorporate any honey clinging to the sides.
If you like, split the batch into two jars: leave one plain and flavor the other with ½ teaspoon vanilla and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon for cinnamon honey butter. Whip again briefly to combine. For a richer, creamier version (similar to restaurant-style rolls), stir in a few tablespoons of confectioners’ sugar until smooth.
This cinnamon version is delicious on roasted sweet potatoes or spread on warm muffins and quick breads.
Adding confectioners’ sugar creates a velvety, melt-in-your-mouth texture, making a spread that’s especially good on hot rolls and soft breads.
🫙 How to Store Honey Butter
Store honey butter in an airtight container or a small mason jar in the refrigerator. It keeps well chilled and makes an attractive hostess gift. Remove from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving so it softens and becomes spreadable.
A small jar paired with warm cornbread or dinner rolls is a thoughtful and delicious gift for hosts.
🧈 Whipped Butter Variations
- Whipped Lemon Butter – Add about 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and the zest from half a lemon to softened butter. A pinch of salt balances the acidity. Great with muffins, bread, fish, and vegetables.
- Whipped Orange Butter – Stir in about 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice and 1 teaspoon orange zest for bright, citrusy butter perfect on scones and quick breads. Honey is optional depending on the use.
- Vanilla Bean Whipped Honey Butter – Scrape the seeds from a vanilla bean into the butter and let it rest so the vanilla flavor develops.
- Copycat Texas Roadhouse Butter – Whip 1 stick softened salted butter with 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons honey, and 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon until light and fluffy. This version is excellent on hot rolls.
Share on Facebook
Share with friends
🍞 What to Serve with Homemade Honey Butter
Honey butter is a delicious match for nearly any bread: cornbread, sweet skillet cornbread, drop biscuits, sour cream biscuits, muffins, waffles, pancakes, scones, and hot dinner rolls. It’s a simple way to add a special touch to holiday spreads and everyday breakfasts alike.
- Southern Cornbread
- Sweet Skillet Cornbread
- Drop Biscuits
- Sour Cream Biscuits
- French toast or French toast sticks
Easy Honey Butter (Whipped)
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter or 1 stick
- 3 tablespoons honey
- pinch flaked sea salt
To Make a Full Batch of Vanilla Cinnamon Honey Butter*
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)
Instructions
-
Whip ½ cup (1 stick) softened butter in a small bowl with a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy. Stir in 3 tablespoons honey until combined.
-
Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to incorporate any remaining honey.
-
Optionally divide the batch: keep one jar plain and flavor the other with vanilla and cinnamon, or make a full batch with the additions below.
To Make Vanilla Cinnamon Honey Butter
-
Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar (optional) to the butter. Whip briefly until smooth.
-
Serve immediately with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or refrigerate in an airtight container. Remove from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving to soften.
Notes
Servings – This recipe yields a little over ½ cup of honey butter. A serving is roughly ½ to 1 tablespoon.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature about 30 minutes before serving for easy spreading.
Variation Ideas
- Whipped Lemon Butter – Add about 2 tablespoons lemon juice and zest from half a lemon to a stick of softened salted butter; add salt to taste. Great with breads, fish, and vegetables.
- Whipped Orange Butter – Add about 2 tablespoons orange juice and 1 teaspoon orange zest for a bright spread for scones and muffins.
- Vanilla Bean Whipped Honey Butter – Scrape a vanilla bean into the butter and allow flavors to meld before serving.
- Copycat Texas Roadhouse Butter – Whip 1 stick softened salted butter with 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons honey, and 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon until light and fluffy. Serve on hot rolls.
Special Equipment Needed
-
Electric hand mixer
-
Measuring spoons
Nutrition
Nutrition information is approximate and should be used as a guide.
