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In our recent Crusty, No-Knead Dinner Rolls post, I shared that there would be two gourmet compound butters coming your way. Today's the day!
Both of these gourmet butters are a wonderfully easy way to elevate any meal in minutes!
Two gourmet compound butters
First up is our Orange Honey Butter, a bright, silky spread infused with fresh orange zest and sweet honey. It's sunshine in butter form, wonderful on morning muffins, warm rolls, pancakes, waffles or anything that needs a little buttery citrus magic.
I've been making honey butter for years, but recently started adding orange zest and… oh my! It transforms something already wonderful into a whole new level of deliciousness.
Then there's the fabulous Que Sera Butter, a copycat of the savory house butter from one of our favorite local restaurants called (yep, you guessed it)... Que Sera. They always bring it out with warm, crusty bread, and everyone at the table goes a little crazy. I would quiz the waitresses each time we'd dine at Que Sera regarding this unique condiment.
It's so simple that it didn't take long to crack the code, and now it's become a Café house butter! With finely minced shallots, scallions or chives, and just a touch of heat from crushed red pepper flakes, it's the kind of butter that makes people stop mid-bite and say, "What IS this?!"
So easy they're almost not recipes...
Making these compound butters is as easy as the simple, short ingredient lists. Just combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until everything is well blended and creamy. That's it! Spoon the butter into a pretty bowl for serving or transfer it to jars for gifting or storing. In just minutes, you'll have a gourmet spread that tastes like it took far more effort than it actually did.
Share the love
These butters make a wonderful gift from the kitchen, especially when paired with a loaf of homemade bread or a basket of warm rolls.
Add one of our free printable labels and suddenly you have a charming, beautifully packaged treat that feels extra thoughtful and looks like it came straight from an artisan market.
Store now, enjoy later
But the free labels aren't just for gifting. They're incredibly handy for storing your butter in the fridge or freezer. Both the Orange Honey Butter and our Que Sera Butter keep well in the refrigerator for about a week to 10 days, and they freeze beautifully for several months.
Labeling the jars makes everything effortless: when you're getting ready to entertain, simply pull a clearly marked, ready-to-serve jar from the fridge or freezer. Instant elegance with zero last-minute stress!
For the free printable labels
If you'd like to dress up your jars either for gifting or storing, download the free printable labels below. You'll receive a PDF for each of the labels as well as fresh recipe inspiration from The Café; easy, elegant dishes and creative ideas to make your time in the kitchen even more delightful.
Get your free printable labels
Includes labels for the Orange Honey Butter and the Que Sera Butter
Make it!
Whether you're planning a special dinner, welcoming friends, or enjoying an ordinary slice of toast, both of these compound butters can add a little magic. They're super easy to stir together, yet feel so gourmet and are the kind of small touch that makes life feel a little extra special. We hope you'll whip up a batch or two, tuck a few jars into the fridge or freezer, and share one with someone who could use a little sweet or savory joy.
From The Café kitchen to yours… Bon appétit!
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Orange Honey Butter
Ingredients
- ½ cup very soft butter, soft, but not melted, I use salted butter
- finely grated zest from 1 large orange
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey, more to taste
- â…› teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
For the butter:
- In a medium bowl, combine the soft butter, orange zest, honey, and salt.
- Stir until everything is well combined and creamy.
- Transfer to a pretty bowl for serving or spoon into small jars for gifting and storage.
- Enjoy on toast, muffins, pancakes, warm rolls, cornbread, scones, etc.
For storing:
- Refrigerator: Keeps well for 1 week to 10 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for several months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Notes
Zest only the bright orange skin - avoid the bitter white pith.
A small pinch of salt really enhances the citrus and honey flavor.
Nutrition
Scroll Down for the Recipe - or Save It to Your Inbox
We'll email you the recipe so it's easy to save, print, or share.
Que Sera Butter
Ingredients
- ½ cup very soft unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
- 1 tablespoons finely chopped chives or scallions
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, adjust to taste
- â…› teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
For the butter:
- Add the soft butter, shallots, chives (or scallions), crushed red pepper, and salt to a medium bowl.
- Mix until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Spoon into a serving dish or pack into jars for gifting or storage.
- Serve with warm crusty bread, grilled meats, seafood, roasted vegetables, or baked potatoes.
For storing:
- Refrigerator: Lasts 1 week to 10 days.
- Freezer: Keeps beautifully for several months.
Notes
If using scallions, use mostly the tender green tops for the best texture.
This butter melts beautifully over steak, chicken, salmon, or grilled shrimp.
Nutrition
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Made some along with your biscuit recipe for senior home brunch. Such a hit! Thank you.
Yay! So happy to hear that, Deb!
Would it work to use salted butter and leave out the kosher salt for the Que Sera Butter?
Yes, that will definitely work, Laurel!
May I please have the labels for the Orange Honey Butter? Thank you!
May I please have the labels for Que Sera Butter? Thank you!
Hi Judy, you can download the labels right up above in the post, scroll up to the section where Chris talks about gifting it!
Labels please, I will enjoy giving as hostess gifts.
Hi Vickye, you can download the labels right up above in the post, scroll up to the section where Chris talks about gifting it!
this is just what I was looking for - for those no-sugar/jelllies/jams etc - and the perfect gifts for those friends that buy whatever it is they want! This and your Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt are the absolutely perfect gifts!! Please send the labels for the Orange Honey butter!
Hi Jane, you can download the labels right up above in the post, scroll up to the section where Chris talks about gifting it!
Planning to gift these both this Christmas! I'm with Stacey about the jars. Are they from Amazon?
Hi Nikki, if you request the labels, there is a link in the PDF for the jars but here it is also: https://amzn.to/4oIDnhO
I have to tell you this easy recipe is beyond fantastic! I took it to a friends home with hot cornbread. I did not leave with any honey butter. People were raving about it and even the granddaughter thanked me for bringing it! I will be making more for gifts this Christmas. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Wendy, you are speedy! I can't believe you've already made it - that sounds like something I would do!
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
You promised, and you delivered! Thanks for the butter recipes Chris - I actually bought some similar looking jars about a month ago, so I know what's going in some of them.
I once received a commercially prepared gift basket that contained a VERY tiny jar of orange honey, that had a touch of cinnamon in it. I bet it would be great in the butter, too!
That sounds wonderful, Terry!
Love both butters!
Please share the topper labels!
Hi Janice, you can download the labels right up above in the post, jsut scroll up to the section where I talk about gifting it!
Oh my goodness, I think I've just found my Christmas gifts for my neighbors. These look so gourmet, and looking at the ingredients, they will be delicious. Where did you get those cute jars the butters are in?
Here you go, Stacey- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDK7FD32?linkCode=sl1&tag=thecafsucfar-20&linkId=6f48b9065175ef654431c8ca98ca06d5&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&th=1