Butter boards are all the rage—here's how to make them even better
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After over two years of hyper-sanitation practices thanks to the pandemic—on everything from our hands to our groceries—we were pretty surprised to hear about the booming butter board trend. A communal surface of room temperature butter that everyone is welcomed to dip their bread in? We thought we were past this kind of risky germ-spreading, people!
While the trendy version of a butter board may be ridden with health code violations, we're not against the general idea of unique, flavored butters and carbs as an appetizer.
That's why we reimagined the butter board to be just as delicious, but more safe, sanitary, and ready for guests to dig into. Plus, this version is no-waste since each butter is self-contained, so leftovers can be stored for future use.
What is a butter board?
Exploding on platforms like TikTok and Instagram earlier this fall, butter boards won over foodie hearts everywhere for its colorful toppings, aesthetic presentations, and play on the ever-popular charcuterie boards.
The premise is this: Smear high quality butter all over a cutting board or serving tray, sprinkle it with seasoning, and then top it with herbs, alliums, fruits, or whatever other flavor combinations inspire you.
The problem with this technique is that it can quickly become unsanitary. Aside from the nightmarish consequences of softened butter seeping into a potentially contaminated crack in a wooden cutting board, the idea of several folks dipping (and double dipping) into a giant surface of messy butter seems like a recipe for disaster.
But don't worry, butter fiends: There is a way to create a butter board that keeps sanitary practices in mind. Here are some party-safe techniques we came up with to keep the butter joy alive.
How to make a butter board…the smart way
Be cautious with wood
The most important advice we can provide when creating your butter board? Choose your surface wisely.
Any cracks in a wooden cutting board put you—and your guests—at risk of smearing butter that's riddled with bacteria. Check your board for cracks beforehand, or opt for another serving surface (like this slate board) if you're unsure.
Accessories are your friend
Accessories like ramekins and cheese knives are a must for a sanitary cutting board. Remember, we want to avoid the messy smattering of butter that will inevitably collect crumbs and germs!
Utilizing ramekins and other small containers means a cleaner, more organized spread—and it allows for more variety on a butter board. Instead of one flavor combo, you can arrange a few different ramekins with sweet, savory, and umami-forward varieties.
Plus, you won't have to obsess over the cleanliness of your cutting board after the party's over.
And don't forget to provide (adequate) serving knives. This will minimize the chances of folks dipping right into butter with their hands. Cheese spreaders are great for soft, dippable butters, while a hard cheese knife will work better for something like a butter log (more on that later).
With ample utensils available for folks to use, the butter board experience becomes less crumb-ridden and more appetizing.
Try a butter log
Another fun way to serve butter sans mess? Transform it into a sliceable log!
Shaping butter into a solid log means you can cut right into it for individual servings. Plus, this technique makes it easy to experiment with flavor combinations.
Just toss some butter with your preferred seasoning into a food processor—we chose graham crackers for a s'mores theme—then shape it into a log with some plastic wrap. Leave it to cool and harden in the fridge for a few hours, and then remove it from the plastic when the guests start to arrive. Surround the log with complementary toppings.
You can also mold a butter log into a rectangular shape with the right container or loaf pan. With this technique, you can create a layered effect with a complementary topping like fig jam. Just line the container with plastic wrap, use an offset spatula to layer the jam followed by the softened butter, and let it set it in the fridge. Use the plastic wrap to cleanly remove the log and invert it when it's time to serve.
Once the log is placed on your butter board, incorporate some toppings, like nuts, herbs, or edible flowers, to complete the presentation. And don't forget to keep a serving knife close by.
Don't forget the accompaniments
Just like a good cheese board needs its supporting characters (like fruits, meats, and nuts), a good butter board requires the same.
Carby vehicles for spreading butter, like baguettes and crackers, are a no-brainer here. Just be sure your bread is pre-cut (for easy grabbing), and that you have options for all guests—including gluten-free crackers.
Since butter has such high fat content, you'll want some briny foods to offset that intensity. Accompaniments like pickles, olives and giardiniera offer a punchiness that cuts the fatty content of butter.
You can also base your accompaniment choice on what's in the butter. For example, a scallion butter might pair well with a complementary everything-flavored cracker, while a sweet butter might go great with a cookie or graham cracker.
Get creative with flavors
As we mentioned earlier, using these techniques and accessories is not only for the benefit of cleaner eating—it allows for more creativity in your spread.
We made our s'mores butter log by mixing butter with graham crackers in the food processor and topped it with mini chocolate chips and marshmallows for a buttery take on s'mores. More graham crackers were placed on the side for serving.
And for a spreadable, ramekin-friendly butter, we combined butter with garlic and rosemary in the food processor for a crowd-pleasing savory option.
But feel free to experiment until you discover your new favorite combo. Try basil and sun-dried tomatoes for a pizza-like flavor. Crush up oreo crumbs for an indulgent dessert. You can also cut the butter content with cream cheese, crème fraîche, or fresh goat cheese in the food processor for a more unique texture and flavor.
Since butter is ever-so-versatile, the opportunities are virtually endless.
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: What is a butter board? How to make this trendy appetizer for a party
