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This fluffy strawberry basil butter turns plain bread into something amazing. Sweet berries mixed with fragrant basil create a spread that's unexpected yet totally addictive, making a simple piece of toast feel like a fancy treat.
I stumbled on this idea one summer when my garden was overflowing with basil. What began as a clever way to use extra herbs soon became my go-to homemade present for friends and family.
What You'll Need
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temp. Butter quality really counts here. Try to find European style with higher fat if you can for the smoothest texture and richest taste.
- Kosher or sea salt: The larger grains help spread flavor through the butter and give tiny bursts of seasoning.
- Fresh strawberries: Pick ripe, sweet berries that are completely red inside. Local, in-season ones pack the most flavor.
- Fresh basil: Look for bright, young leaves for best taste. Skip any with dark spots or drooping.
- Honey: Not required but helps bring out the natural sweetness in the berries. Raw local honey works great.
How To Create Whipped Strawberry Basil Butter
- Start With Air:
- Put softened butter and salt in a mid-sized bowl. With an electric mixer or hand whisk, beat hard for around 3 minutes until the butter looks lighter and gets really fluffy. Getting air in now makes that smooth, easy-to-spread texture.
- Get Your Berries Ready:
- In another bowl, smash fresh strawberries with a fork until you've got a rough puree. You want about 2 tablespoons when you're done. The juice that comes out adds flavor and creates that pretty pink color.
- Mix It Together:
- Add your strawberry mash with all its juice to the fluffy butter. Beat again until it's all mixed in and the butter turns light pink throughout. It should stay airy while taking on the fruit smell.
- Add The Green Touch:
- Carefully stir in your freshly cut basil with a spatula, making sure it's spread evenly through the butter. Give it a taste and add honey if needed depending on how sweet your berries are. The tiny green basil bits look beautiful against the pink butter.
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I love serving this butter during summer get-togethers. There's something about putting it on warm fresh biscuits while sitting outside watching hummingbirds that feels perfectly seasonal. My grandma didn't think she'd like the basil at first, but now she asks me to bring a container whenever I visit.
Keeping It Fresh
This fancy butter stays good in the fridge for quite a while. Keep it in a closed glass container or wrap it up tight in parchment paper for up to two weeks. The trick to keeping its subtle flavor is making sure it's sealed well so it doesn't pick up other smells from your fridge. When you want to use it after it's been cold, let it sit out for about 15 minutes so it gets soft enough to spread.
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Fun Ways To Use It
Besides the obvious toast option, this whipped strawberry basil butter works in tons of tasty ways. Try melting some on top of cooked fish for a surprising flavor combo. For a cool appetizer, spread it on little toast points and top with a thin slice of prosciutto. It's amazing on pancakes or waffles, melting into all the little squares. My favorite way to eat it is on warm corn muffins where the sweetness plays really well with the cornmeal.
Mix It Up
While strawberry and basil go great together, you can switch things around in this recipe. Try using raspberries or blackberries instead of strawberries for a different taste. You can swap the basil for mint if you want something sweeter, or try thyme for a more earthy flavor. Adding some lemon zest works really well to make everything taste fresher. For a fancier version, mix in a spoonful of good white chocolate after whipping.
Customize Your Creation
The cool thing about flavored butters is how flexible they are. You can easily double or triple this recipe for bigger parties or when making gifts. Change up how much strawberry and basil you use based on what you like more strawberries makes it fruitier, more basil gives it an herby kick. Instead of honey, you can use maple syrup or even a bit of reduced balsamic for a grown-up twist. You can also change the texture by whipping longer for a lighter spread or less for something denser.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap unsalted butter with salted?
Sure, but skip adding extra salt to the mix so it doesn't get too salty.
- → What's the best way to store it?
Pop it in a glass container or wrap it in parchment. It'll last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
- → Can I change the basil to another herb?
Of course! Mint, thyme, or rosemary are great alternatives for switching up the flavor.
- → What if my strawberries aren’t sweet?
Not super sweet? Just stir in a bit of honey for extra sweetness, keeping the flavors balanced.
- → Can I make a big batch?
Yep! Just double or triple everything while keeping the same proportions. Easy!
- → What tastes great with this butter?
It's awesome on waffles, pancakes, toast, biscuits, cornbread, or even as a fancy veggie topping.