Sweet Spicy Honey Butter (Printable)
Honey-sweet butter with chili flakes and smoked paprika—sweet, spicy, and ideal for cornbread, biscuits, or grilled meat.
# What You'll Need:
→ Butter Mixture
01 - 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
02 - 2 tablespoons honey
03 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
04 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
06 - Pinch of kosher salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Place the softened unsalted butter in a medium mixing bowl and allow it to reach a workable, spreadable consistency.
02 - Add the honey, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, ground cayenne pepper, and a pinch of kosher salt to the butter.
03 - Using a spatula or a hand mixer, blend all ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth and uniformly combined, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed throughout.
04 - Transfer the whipped butter to a small serving bowl, or roll it into a log shape using parchment paper for neat slicing. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for a firmer texture, or serve immediately at room temperature for a softer, more spreadable consistency.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It takes five minutes from cupboard to table and makes everything it touches taste like you tried way harder than you did.
- The heat and sweetness play off each other so well that people will assume you bought it from a fancy artisan shop.
02 -
- Cold butter straight from the fridge will leave you with clumpy streaks and uneven spice distribution no matter how hard you stir.
- Taste it before chilling because the heat mellows slightly as it sets and you might want to add another pinch of chili flakes while you still can.
03 -
- Use a fork instead of a spatula if your butter is slightly too firm, because the tines break it down faster and more evenly.
- Let the butter sit out while you gather the rest of the ingredients so it softens naturally and you never have to microwave it.