Strawberry Butter

(This Strawberry Honey Butter recipe was originally published on my innkeeping blog in 2010. It has since been updated. Enjoy!)

Strawberry butter is a delightful spread that’s super easy to make. It’s basically a mix of butter and fresh strawberries. You just need softened butter, mashed strawberries, and a bit of sweetener if you like. The trick is in the technique, which I’ll go over below. It’s fantastic on toast, muffins, or even pancakes. Perfect for adding a burst of fruity goodness to your breakfast or snack.

It’s the little things that make a meal special. For breakfast, sometimes it’s as simple as the perfect cup of coffee. But some innkeepers put in a little extra love and effort to make breakfast memorable. Crisp ironed linens, fresh flowers and fine china. I always get nervous when I’m at a bed and breakfast and they serve on fine china because I’m usually kind of a clumsy sleepy head before my first cup of coffee.

Andrew Inn & Cottages in Key West adds that extra touch my making their own homemade strawberry butter. Now, being in the Florida Keys, the also sometimes add mango to it too. What a way to liven up a plain piece of toast! On my busy mornings, I sometimes only have time for coffee and an English muffin. But this strawberry butter can make any busy morning breakfast into a treat.

“Unbuttered toast is a substance half complete, and to be forced to eat it in that state is necessarily to feel deprived.” -John Thorne

This is a great recipe to have on hand when Florida strawberries are in season during winter. But truly it’s great to have on hand any time of year. From making a Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day brunch a little extra special (especially with a heart-shaped butter mold), or just to liven up your daily breakfast with some flavor and color.

STRAWBERRY BUTTER INGREDIENTS

Creating your own jar of strawberry butter is surprisingly easy. All you need are a few basic ingredients: softened butter, ripe strawberries, a bit of strawberry preserves, and a touch of sweetness (like powdered sugar or honey). The trick is to make sure the butter is soft and at room temperature so it blends well with the other ingredients.

TIP: To make this a little easier, chop up the butter into smaller pieces to make it easier to mix once it softened. 

CAN I USE ANOTHER SWEETENER BESIDES HONEY? 

Yes, you can definitely substitute your favorite sweetener in place of honey. However, I’d recommend using a liquid sweetener as sugar can be kind of grainy, even if you whip the butter in a stand mixer. So, substitute with a sweetener like maple syrup, agave syrup, or liquid monk fruit. You may have to reduce the amount used as some of the sweeteners mentioned above taste sweeter than honey, so you won’t need as much.

HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY BUTTER

While the ingredients are simple, the technique is getting them to blend together smoothly. Here’s how:

Step 1: The Butter 

Start with room-temperature butter. This ensures a smooth and creamy texture when mixed with the strawberries. Softened butter is like a blank canvas, ready to absorb all the sweet fruity goodness. If you’re making this in wintertime, and room temperature is still somewhat cold, place the butter in a warm area of your kitchen (like next to the stove). If you absolutely must soften the butter in the microwave, do so only 5 seconds at a time as you want the butter softened, but not melted. Once the butter is softened to room temperature, whip the butter in a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer) to soften it even more before blending in the rest of the ingredients.

Step 2: Berrylicious Bliss

Next, let’s prep some fresh strawberries. Wash, hull, and mash them into a tasty puree. The vibrant red hue of ripe strawberries is a promise of the burst of flavor and pretty pink color that awaits.

Step 3: Sweetener

To enhance the sweetness, add a bit of honey to the mashed strawberries. This step is optional and depends on your preference. But adding a subtle sweetness can elevate the entire experience.

Step 4: Mixing It All Together

Now, it’s time for the magic to unfold. Mix the softened butter, strawberry puree, and sweetness together until you achieve a uniform, velvety blend. The sight and smell alone will transport you to a strawberry field on a sunny day.

Here’s where you can have some fun. You can press the whipped strawberry honey butter into fun shaped butter molds. I’ve also used large silicone ice molds too. Or press it into a pretty jar for refrigerating and serving.

HOW LONG DOES STRAWBERRY BUTTER LAST?

The strawberry butter will keep for up to two weeks when stored in a covered container in the refrigerator. This is one that you’ll want to bring out for brunch guests, or use it to liven up your daily breakfast too!

WHAT TO SERVE WITH STRAWBERRY BUTTER

You can serve strawberry butter with any sort of toast or pastry. I like to spread it on toasted English muffins. It’s also great on any toasted bread, croissants or muffins too! It adds a touch of color and sweetness to any baked good.

Strawberry butter is also great for those quick morning when you want to add some flavor and butteriness to those frozen toasted waffles. And it melts perfectly into all the nooks and crannies in a hot English muffin.

“Unbuttered toast is a substance half complete, and to be forced to eat it in that state is necessarily to feel deprived.” -John Thorne

Sharing the Love: Homemade Strawberry Butter as a Gift

The joy of strawberry butter isn’t limited to personal indulgence; it’s a gift from the heart. Consider making a batch to share with friends and family. Package it in charming jars, tie a ribbon around them, and you have a heartfelt, homemade gift that speaks volumes.

Originally published in 2010. Updated 2023.