How to Make Homemade Butter with Herbs & Fruit

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Learn how to make homemade butter using fresh herbs and fruit. It’s so simple, and it’s the perfect topping for breads, bagels, and biscuits! Your family will love it!

mason jar filled with strawberry butter

Even though bread is just about the perfect food all by itself, there is one thing that can make it even better, and that one thing is butter. Add herbs or fruit to the butter, and you pretty much have a little slice of heaven. (At least in my opinion!)

Today I’m sharing three homemade butter recipes that are delicious toppings for bread, bagels, or biscuits. There is a printable recipe found below that includes all three versions. Making butter is fun and very simple to do. It’s a perfect kitchen activity for older kids, and by using the printable tags included at the end of the post, it makes a lovely gift.

strawberry butter in mason jars

Homemade Butter from Heavy Cream

The process for making homemade butter from heavy whipping cream is completely different from what’s included in this post. That method uses a food processor, stand mixer, or blender…and from what I found out while doing some research, you can even use a butter churn or shake it in a jar! It involves beating the heavy cream until it separates. It sounds easy, but you need cheesecloth or a fine-meshed sieve for rinsing the butter in cold water, there’s kneading involved, and even though the leftover liquid is actually buttermilk, you have to add cultures in order for it to be “real” buttermilk.

The type of homemade butter mentioned above is excellent for baking, but that’s not what we’re doing today. My method for making your own butter uses regular sticks of store-bought butter that I’m combining with other ingredients to add flavor. This is also known as compound butter. None of the recipes shared below include salt, because I used salted butter.

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homemade butter with garlic and basil 2023a

Lemon Basil Homemade Butter

The first variation of homemade butter combines two of my favorite things…basil and lemon. The lemon tempers the strong taste of the basil, and the garlic adds a little zing. 

  • 1/2 cup salted butter (soft)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • zest of one lemon
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove finely chopped
how to make homemade butter with rosemary and honey 2023

Rosemary Honey Homemade Butter

The flavors of the rosemary and honey really compliment each other in this butter. This is a basic base recipe that can be adjusted to your own taste. One variation of this butter that would be delicious is to add orange zest and a tiny bit of fresh orange juice (about a teaspoon.) If you use orange blossom honey, by adding the orange flavor, the honey would become even sweeter. 

  • 1/2 cup salted butter (room temperature)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons honey (this is my favorite)
strawberry butter ingredients 2023

Strawberry Homemade Butter

I was introduced to strawberry butter during our trip to Magnolia Market in Waco, TX. It’s served with their homemade biscuits, and is truly amazing. There are a lot of variations of strawberry butter, but I like this version because the powdered sugar adds a fluffy texture. Whipping the butter first also helps to lighten the taste, and makes the butter super spreadable. Here is Joanna Gaines’ strawberry butter recipe.

  • 1/2 cup soft salted butter
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 – 6 fresh strawberries pureed or finely chopped
how to make homemade butter with strawberries

Helpful Tips

  • Make sure to chop the herbs as fine as possible. Use a sharp knife and take passes in all directions over the herbs.
  • All the ingredient amounts can be adjusted to your taste. Each recipe can be easily doubled.
  • The butter can also be shaped into a log and wrapped in plastic wrap or wax paper. Make sure to twist the ends tight. The log can then be sliced and served.
  • If you prefer to use unsalted butter, just add 1/8 teaspoon salt to each recipe.
  • This homemade butter can be personalized by using your favorite herbs and fruits. The sky is the limit!

homemade butter in mason jars on cutting board

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need homegrown herbs to make these butters?

No! You don’t need homegrown herbs to make these butters. They take such a small amount, that herbs from the grocery store or farm market will work great.

How do you store this butter?

Store the homemade butter in a plastic airtight container or mason jar with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator.

How long does this homemade butter last?

It will keep for up to one week in the refrigerator, or in the freezer for up to three months. Remove from the fridge about 20 minutes before using. 

homemade rosemary honey butter
tags for homemade butter 2023

Printable Tags for Gift-Giving

To get the printable tags that make this homemade butter perfect for gift-giving, just fill out the form below. If you are already an OSP email subscriber, go ahead and fill out the form to get the tags. You won’t have a duplicate subscription!

mason jar filled with strawberry butter

How to Make Homemade Butter with Fruit & Herbs

Learn how to make homemade butter using fresh herbs and fruit. It’s easy and is the perfect topping for breads, bagels, and biscuits.
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 6 votes
Servings: 1 8 oz. jar (each recipe)
Author: Ann Drake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
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Instructions

Lemon Basil Butter

  • 1/2 cup soft salted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil finely chopped
  • Zest of one lemon
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic finely chopped
  • Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.

Rosemary Honey Butter

  • 1/2 cup soft salted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • Add the butter and rosemary to a mixing bowl. Pour in the honey. Stir until well combined.

Strawberry Butter

  • 1/2 cup soft salted butter
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 – 6 fresh strawberries finely chopped
  • With a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, or hand mixer, blend the butter for 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar and strawberries. Whip for 2 – 3 minutes more.

Notes

Butters can be stored in glass jars in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
All the butter recipes can be easily doubled. 
Like this recipe?Follow me at @onsuttonplace

If you make this recipe, and love it, please come back to leave a comment and a 5-star review. I would really appreciate it, and it would help me so much. Thank you!

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5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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25 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve been looking for some easy, savory flavored butter recipes. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Sharon Ganne says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely lovely … made my tastebuds so happy!

    Ann, I am so thrilled to find someone else who likes Marcus Aurelius. I’ve had the quote you shared in a frame in our bathroom, and I’ve read it every morning for quite a few years now. Here’s another one you may like:
    ‘The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.’
    (Marcus Aurelius)

    I appreciate all that you share with the rest of us who are lucky to know about you. I’ve learned, and continue to learn, so much from you. Thank you, Ann.

    Warmest wishes,
    Sharon <3

  3. 5 stars
    Love the butter recipes!!
    Looking forward to your herb puff pastry turnover recipe as well.

  4. 5 stars
    Love the butter recipes!!!
    Was trying to access the oven roasted rosemary potatoes, but all that comes up is a picture of honey Dijon and a mason jar with flowers. Caption reads Easy Grilled Chicken

    1. 5 stars
      Thank you Ann for getting back to me promptly. I plan on making the rosemary potatoes as part of my breakfast for dinner!
      Thanks again!!
      Barbara

  5. Teddee Grace says:

    These butters sound so good. Your post reminded me of a humorous thing that happened one Christmas when I visited my brother. I was living in Phoenix and rosemary grew so prolifically there that it was used in planters everywhere. I decided I would take some rosemary to make into wreaths as a host gift only to be told when I made my holiday offering that my brother hated both the smell and taste of rosemary! I recalled then that he had always had an aversion to sausage because of the sage. Every time I now cook with rosemary, and I love it on pork steaks, I recall this house guest faux pas.

  6. Renae Frey says:

    I love this idea, especially to make as gifts. I love the jars and tags that you used. Blessings to you.

  7. Love your rosemary projects. I think you might live close enough to Perrysburg,OH to visit Angel 101. They have wonderful rosemary plants. I always have one or two on my kitchen island. You will love downtown Perrysburg- great little shops and restaurants, and a wonderful stroll along the Maumee River!

  8. Yum! Can’t wait to try! Thanks, Ann!

  9. I tried your lemon basil butter and strawberry butter. Both delicious!! Thanks for sharing these recipes!

  10. I am making the lemon basil butter, and the rosemary honey today – it’s a good way to use the last of the summer herbs in our garden. Thanks!

  11. I love to give homemade bread away and the addition of one of these butters
    will be like ‘icing on the cake’!

  12. How kind of your to share the butter recipes. Am able to harvest some fresh basil and it will be a nice change from using it for pesto.
    Happy summer.

  13. I love herb butter. Thanks for sharing. I’ll be making these often.

  14. Ann , I just love your posts .
    in our area the strawberries are in season . will definitely be making the strawberry butter for our family this weekend .
    the other butters sound yummy too and thank you for the print out tags .
    Enjoy your Saturday .

  15. Doreen @ Hymns and Verses says:

    Your IG story stopped me in my tracks!!! I had to come over to see how to make the strawberry butter! It was sooooo good at Magnolia Table and now I can’t wait to try yours! Thanks for the recipe!!!

  16. S. Rohtenburger says:

    These look lovely Ann.
    Think I will give a few of them a go since i grow my own herbs. Strawberry season is upon us in my neck of the woods.
    Really lovely. Thanks for sharing

    S. Rohtenburger

  17. Love ! Will diffidently make all three and can’t wait to try. The fact that they can be frozen make them a win-win! Thank you, Ann.

  18. Carina Simeon says:

    Absolutely delicious!!! But ….. I cannot get fresh herbs here so I will try your rosemary and honey butter with dried herbs – maybe it will work.

  19. Love your Butter recipes, Thank you for sharing them. your how to grow basil was super helpful ,and your white flowers for the front porch look so pretty.

  20. Jemney Fontana says:

    Love these, sounds Delish.

  21. Nana Diana says:

    I have made rosemary butter but never thought to add honey to it. Perfect!!!
    I was finally able to get your blog to “take” on my sidebar. I don’t know what happened but I have tried to load it on numerous times…and THIS TIME…it took! I read from my sidebar so I am always thrilled when I can get a blog I love to register.
    I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful week. xo Diana

  22. Yes Ann,I agree bread is one of the perfect foods and your butters are the best toppings.They look yummy and the photos are beautiful, nice job !

  23. Terri Herman says:

    Oh. My. Goodness! These look wonderful! Can’t wait to try them all. I’m hosting my Grace ladies from church next week and you just made it amazing! Can always count on you for some delicious goodness! Thanks!