When company arrives during the holidays, these flavor-packed butters are there when you need them. #ReadytoRoll #BakedWithCare
I can’t believe it, but the holiday season is just around the corner. It’s a season of celebration and togetherness while hosting family and friends, but holiday entertaining can also bring about some stress. Over the years, I’ve found some tricks in the kitchen to help me stay on top of the busy season with a little less effort and whole lot of readiness.
One of the most creative yet foolproof ways to make holiday entertaining a little more simple is to keep some flavor-packed compound butters on hand.
Compound butter is softened butter that is whipped up with a variety of sweet or savory ingredients. It is so super simple to make and the perfect way to add flair to an ordinary dish. Without putting a lot of time or effort into it, you can make a few different flavors ahead of time, pop them in the freezer or fridge, and voilà! They are there when you need them. 
When I’m hosting, I want to spend time with my guests and not be hovering over the stove. So without any additional cooking, I use compound butter to top traditional meats, vegetables and breads. The scrumptious butter flavors are conversation worthy and yet, they are a shortcut to flavor, a secret weapon in cooking, and leave you looking like the hostess with the mostess.
The combination of ingredients that you can use are endless. Not to mention, it is a brilliant way to use and preserve herbs from your garden before the winter frost sets in. No matter what the combo is, I always follow 5 main steps to get the perfect blend.
- First, I always start with unsalted butter. I want to be able to control the amount of salt, especially if I’m making a sweet butter.
- Second, I always make sure my butter is room temperature before adding in my other ingredients.
- Next, I combine all my ingredients into a bowl.
- Then, I use just a plain old fork to mix, mash and whip every thing together.
- Finally, I scoop the butter onto a sheet of plastic wrap and gather the butter into a large mound and roll gently until I form a tube similar to the size of a stick of butter. I wrap the ends tight and freeze until ready to use.
When I’m keeping these delicious compound butters on hand, then I always make sure I also have Pepperidge Farm® Stone Baked Artisan Rolls in my freezer too. Crunchy on the outside, but soft and tender on the inside, these rolls are a must-have for stress-free entertaining this holiday season.
If you’re a “from scratch” kind of baker, awesome! But I am definitely not. Baking is not my thing. You knew that, right?
But fresh, warm rolls are definitely my thing and convenience is my thing too. And while I’m here talking about my “things,” flavorful butter melted on a warm-from-the-oven Stone Baked Artisan Roll is totally my thing. You get my gist, right? Gotta’ have these rolls with these butters.
Here are some of my favorite compound butters that I stock up on for holiday entertaining.
Now when guests show up, I can just heat up the oven, pull out my batch of Pepperidge Farm Stone Baked Artisan Rolls from the freezer, and thaw some compound butter.
My family and friends will be so happy with a delicious, flavorful butter and an incredibly fresh baked bread experience that they won’t even notice my dirty floors or the piles of papers stacked high on the counter. I’m just going to sit back and sip my drink like a superstar because I just cut down on cooking time and holiday stress without cutting down on flavor.
*Since it is also the season of giving, I like to make these butters for hostess gifts. I wrap them in freezer paper and attach a label. They are perfect for last minute tokens of thanks for all those holiday invites you’ll be getting.
I never thought of this before but I love it and can’t wait to make some for myself! Yummy
Great! I hope you make some great flavor combos and enjoy having them!
Wow!! I am blown away by all the butter flavors! I’ve used herb butter on steak before (delish), but never on rolls! But now I’m curious…which is your favorite flavor?
P.S. The rolls look like my kinda thing, and I hadn’t heard of these specifically! Will now have to try.
Thank you, Molly! I lean more towards the savory ones that have fresh herbs and garlic in it, but lately I’ve been adding a touch of honey to the savory ones too. They are all so tasty and fun to throw together!
The rolls are so wonderful and I always have a stash in my freezer.
Love the play on sweet and salty flavors!
These all look gorgeous and the apricot butter is really unique. I think these would make a great gift and I think perfect for Easter dinner which isn’t too far off. Can’t wait to try!
Thank you! I love wrapping these up in pretty paper, ribbon, and labels and giving as holiday hostess gifts.
Pinned! I LOVE flavored butter at restaurants, but never thought about making my own! And what a sweet hostess gift idea too. I would love anything with garlic, parmesan or rosemary. I love to bake, but those rolls look delicious and would be a great addition to hosting too. I’m so excited to try this!M
Thanks so much, Maegan! These butters are actually really fun to create and even better to eat. I love how there are no right or wrongs when picking ingredients, but it is all customized to your tastes. Enjoy!!!
Making compound butters are so easy and really make anything taste that more special. Nothing like a compound butter melting over the top of a grilled steak, pork chop. On homemade bread oh wow.
You are so right, Candy!
I love this idea! It is so simple I never thought of this! They all sound delicious: I think the Parmesan tomato would be a staple in my house. I would try the others for sure but I love those flavors together! They also look really pretty and giving them as gifts genius!
Thanks, Lyndsey! They are fun!
I have not tried a flavored butter before, but I am putting in on my Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner list. These looks delicious. Thanks for sharing!
You’ll love it Have fun making them and enjoy, Juanita!
Fantastic ideas! Ready made bread sounds like a great solution for the holidays. I’m a huge fan of anything that cuts down stress. I’m going to try your butters, they look delicious!
Thank you, Kristen! This bread is the real deal! It really is bakery fresh out of the oven…my whole family is loving it!
This is so smart for hosting! Everyone gets what they like and are happy and its easy. Plus, they all sound amazing!
Yes! I love the simplicity!
What a clever idea for entertaining! I love this and I’m definitely going to give this a try this holiday season! Delicious recipes!
Thank, Cara! Hope you enjoy!
Oh Yum, these are such a great substitution to the boring cheese platters, thanks for sharing
That’s a great thought! They are pretty too!
Oh my! This is such a great idea! I’ll be trying these of course!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Hope you enjoy!
I’m intrigued with the flavored butter concept and am going to give it a try!
Hope you enjoy it!
Ooh! Thanks for the recipes!
I love flavored butter. I have only made a garlic butter before, but will definitely have to try the Olive Rosemary and Parmesan Tomato Basil… These sound sooooo good!!!
Thanks, Trish! I love the variety!
I’ve never heard of compound butter before, but this looks good!
Love this for the holidays! So easy to make ahead, and adds so much to a meal!
Yes! Besides perfect for a warm dinner roll, I love tossing it in pasta, potatoes, or over steak, chicken, or shrimp…and even pancakes or waffles! Quick and easy!