Name: Butter Board
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup salted butter (very soft, I like to use Irish or European); 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt; 1 small lemon (zested); ¼ cup blueberry jam; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 teaspoons finely minced basil; Artisan bread (for serving)

This Butter Board is made with Irish butter, blueberry jam, lemon zest, sea salt, honey, and basil for a super easy and flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for gatherings! Made in 10 minutes or less!

Overhead photo of a butter board on a floral napkin.

Endless Flavor Possibilities For Entertaining

The idea of a Butter Board originally went CRAZY after @Justine_Snacks shared it on TikTok. She was originally inspired by Josh McFadden who apparently shared the concept in his new book.

While I love, love, LOVE this idea – I wasn’t overly crazy for the style of the original board. I think in order to execute this idea properly, everything needs to be small and/or soft. No giant slices or big herbs that are hard to spread or scoop.

So for my board, I started with the sea salt and lemon zest base that Justine recommends and built on it with a bit of juicy blueberry jam, a drizzle of honey, and some finely minced basil. The flavor is EPIC! It’s like this earthy, sweet, vibrant bite all on a soft and tender piece of artisan bread. This is a trend I am totally here for and don’t be surprised if you see a cream cheese board, peanut butter board, and more here in the near future!

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A butter board made with honey, blueberry jam, lemon zest, and basil.

Rebecca’s Recipe Review

Taste: Each bite is filled with earthy, sweet, vibrant flavor, all on a delicious artisan bread.

Texture: Soft butter covered in sticky jam delivered to your mouth on soft, tender piece of bread.

Ease: 2/10

Pros: All store-bought ingredients, no baking, and no cooking.

Cons: Scrubbing the buttery board at the end of the night can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s totally worth it!

Would I Make This Again? Yes, absolutely! The ease and deliciousness make this a win-win for everyone!

Butter Board Ingredients

Salted Butter – I recommend using grass-fed Irish or European butter.
Coarse Sea Salt – Table salt won’t work quite as nicely.
Small Lemon – Adds brightness to the butter
Blueberry Jam – I chose blueberry, but peach, fig, or raspberry jam would also be delicious.
Honey – Regular honey or hot honey.
Finely Minced Basil – Fresh herbs or even edible flowers add both flavor and color to the board. Choose something that pairs nicely with your spread.
Bread – Choose bread that’s tender and firm yet not too hard. You want the bread to be able to bend and grab the butter without breaking. Sourdough bread, artisan bread, or even dinner rolls would all make a great choice.

How To Make A Butter Board

Spread the softened butter out onto a large serving board or plate.
Sprinkle sea salt over the top of butter and then zest the lemon over the salted butter.
Drop teaspoons of blueberry jam all over the butter and then use the back of the spoon to gently spread them out over the butter.
Drizzle honey over the buttered board and then top it with finely minced basil.
Serve the butter board with your favorite bread and enjoy!

A woman's hand dipping a piece of bread on a butter board.

Rebecca’s Tips

I don’t recommend using a porous board. Look for a board that is sealed and food safe or use a large plate or serving platter.
You want a board that is large enough to spread two sticks of butter on with some bread on the side.
Make sure the butter is really soft so that it spreads and swirls easily.
If serving at a party, place a couple of spreading knives out so that guests may enjoy the board without the risk of double-dipping.

Butter Board Variations

Italian: If you have the time, roast a head of garlic and then spread the roasted garlic into the butter and top with finely minced herbs and grated parmesan cheese, lemon zest, olive oil drizzle, salt, and pepper.
Autumn: Apple preserves, cinnamon, honey or maple syrup, and pecan pieces would make for a wonderful fall gathering board.
Bacon Lovers: Use finely crumbled bacon (make sure it’s cooled so it doesn’t melt the butter) and a bit of fig jam, a drizzle of hot honey, and a sprinkle of chives.

More Appetizer Recipes:

Viral Onion Ring Chips – Crispy, crunchy bites of thinly sliced onions!
Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs – An easy appetizer that everyone loves!
BEST Mozzarella Sticks Recipe – Cheese-pull lovers will go crazy for this recipe!
Dipping Oil Recipe for Bread – Mop up this tasty goodness with a loaf of crusty bread!
Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies – Made with only 4 ingredients!

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you’ve tried this recipe, please let leave a review in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos, or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there.

5 from 2 votes

Butter Board

Author Rebecca Hubbell

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

This Butter Board is made with Irish butter, blueberry jam, lemon zest, sea salt, honey, and basil for a super easy and flavorful appetizer that's perfect for gatherings!

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup salted butter very soft, I like to use Irish or European
▢ 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
▢ 1 small lemon zested
▢ ¼ cup blueberry jam
▢ 1 tablespoon honey
▢ 2 teaspoons finely minced basil
▢ Artisan bread for serving

Instructions

On a large serving board or plate, spread the softened butter out with the back of a spoon or rubber spatula. Use a board that isn't porous for best results.
1 cup salted butter
Sprinkle the sea salt over the top of the butter and then zest the lemon over the butter, trying to evenly disperse.
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt, 1 small lemon
Drop teaspoons of blueberry jam all over the butter and use the back of the spoon to gently spread them out over the butter.
¼ cup blueberry jam
Drizzle with honey and top with the basil.
1 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoons finely minced basil
Serve with your favorite bread – I recommend keeping it soft but firm and untoasted.
Artisan bread

Notes

Butter: I recommend using grass-fed Irish or European butter. Preferably salted and make sure it’s really soft so it’s each to spread and swirl.
Salt: Use coarse sea salt to sprinkle on, table salt won’t work quite as nicely.
Lemon: A good dose of lemon zest will add brightness to the butter.
Spreads: I chose to use blueberry, but you could use your favorite such as peach, fig, or raspberry jam.
Drizzle: A bit of honey or hot honey adds a really nice touch to the board.
Herbs: Fresh herbs or even edible flowers add both flavor and color to the board. Choose something that pairs nicely with your spread.
Bread: Choose bread that is tender and firm, but not too hard. You want the bread to be able to bend and grab the butter yet not break. Sourdough bread is a great choice or even some soft dinner rolls.
Recipe Variations:
- Italian: If you have the time, roast a hard of garlic and then spread the roasted garlic into the butter and top with finely minced herbs and grated parmesan cheese, lemon zest, olive oil drizzle, salt, and pepper.
- Autumn: Apple preserves, cinnamon, honey or maple syrup, and pecan pieces would make for a wonderful fall gathering board.
- Bacon Lovers: Use finely crumbled bacon (make sure it’s cooled so it doesn’t melt the butter) and a bit of fig jam, a drizzle of hot honey, and a sprinkle of chives.