Whipped & Flavored Coconut Butter for Sweet or Savory Dishes

Essential oil–flavored butter can be used for so many different things! Just think of the possibilities! Try a cinnamon-ginger-maple combination atop pumpkin pancakes. Or try lemon or orange butter for muffins or sweet breads. Maybe a cilantro-lime combination on your corn? Or sauté your vegetables in an Italian-flavored butter. Be daring and turn a sweet lavender butter into buttercream frosting to top your lemon cupcakes!

This recipe combines coconut oil and butter together for a healthier oil that has a higher smoke point than butter alone, so it really can be used on whatever you desire!

Whipped & Flavored Coconut Butter

Time: 5 minutes active; 10 minutes inactive | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1/2 cup (96 g) coconut oil
• 1/2 cup (113 g) butter, softened
• Honey or maple syrup, to taste (for sweet butter)
• 1–3 drops essential oil (see suggestions below)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Using a hand mixer, whisk until creamy. Note: if your coconut oil is too soft, you can whisk the ingredients together a little, then place in the fridge for 5–10 minutes before whisking it again.
2. Start with just a drop (or a toothpick dip) of your chosen essential oil, whisk, and taste before adding more.
   You can combine essential oil flavors as desired, but keep adding to taste. It is easy to add too much essential oil (but you can always use that butter in cooking if it gets too strong for your taste).
3. Store butter on the counter in an airtight glass container (a mason jar works great!).

Flavor Variations:

Sweet Coconut Butter Flavors: orange, lemon, lime, lavender, cardamom, cinnamon, cassia, ginger, lemon, etc.
Savory Coconut Butter Flavors: basil, rosemary, thyme, dill, cilantro-lime, Italian blend, lemon, etc.

Extra Ideas:

• The sweet butters taste really good on sweet breads like banana bread, zucchini bread, pumpkin bread, french toast, pancakes, muffins, french bread, or regular toasted bread.
• You can use the sweet butter as a base for buttercream frosting—after flavoring the butter, just add powdered sugar until it becomes your desired frosting texture.
• Try adding your flavored butter to freshly popped popcorn for a unique taste!
• The savory butters taste great on toast, corn, baked potatoes, and vegetables or added to savory dishes.
• Try adding a savory flavored butter to your sauté pan before adding any vegetables or meats.
• Try coating your grilled cheese sandwich with a savory flavored butter before toasting.
• Try using your flavored butter in baked goods to add another flavor dimension.