By: Shiloah Baker

Flavoring butter is a fun way to add pizzazz to your meal! Using real butter, you can add various flavors. Once you have finished your butter, you can use it on breads, pastries, etc., or you can freeze them in "logs" for months until ready to use. These also make wonderful gifts!

1. Honey Butter -recipe 1

1/2 cup softened butter

1 egg yolk

1/4 tsp. vanilla

1 cup honey

Whip butter. Add vanilla and egg yolk. Gradually whip in honey till light and fluffy.

2. Honey Butter- recipe 2

1 cup softened butter

1 1/4 cup honey

1 egg yolk

Combine all ingredients in a deep bowl. Beat with electric mixer for 10 minutes. Store in the refridgerator.

3. Orange Butter*

2 tbl. melted butter

2 tbl. grated or zested orange peel

1/2 cup sugar

Combine all ingredients. Brush or drizzle on food.

*This is fantastic for pancakes or French toast!

4. Apple Butter

5 1/2 lbs. apples, peeled and finely chopped

4 cups sugar

2-3 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1/4 tsp. salt

Place apples in crock pot. Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Pour over apples and mix well. Cover and cook on high 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 9-11 hours or until thickened and dark brown, stirring occasionally. (Stir more frequently as it thickens to prevent sticking.) Uncover and cook on low 1 hour longer. If desired, stir with a wire whisk until smooth. Spoon butter into freezer containers leaving 1/2 inch headspace, because as it cools it will expand. Cover and refrigerate or freeze.

Makes 4 pints

5. Garlic Butter

*this is fantastic on French bread!

1/2 cup butter

2 cloves garlic, finely minced or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Start with softened butter. Add other ingredients and beat with electric mixer until well blended. About 3 minutes.

6. Herb Butter

1/2 cup butter

1/2 tsp. ground sage

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

Start with softened butter. Add other ingredients and beat with electric mixer until well blended. About 3 minutes.

7. Curry Butter

1/2 cup butter

1/2 tsp. curry powder

Start with softened butter. Add other ingredients and beat with electric mixer until well blended. About 3 minutes.

8. Parsley Butter

1/2 cup butter

1 tbl. fresh parsley, snipped or 1 tsp. dried

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/4 tsp. dried savory

Start with softened butter. Add other ingredients and beat with electric mixer until well blended. About 3 minutes.

9. Lemon-Tarragon Butter

1/2 cup butter

1 tsp. dried tarragon

1/2 tsp. zested lemon peel

Start with softened butter. Add other ingredients and beat with electric mixer until well blended. About 3 minutes.

10. Parmesan Butter

1/2 cup butter

2 tbl. grated parmesan

1/2 tsp. dried basil

Start with softened butter. Add other ingredients and beat with electric mixer until well blended. About 3 minutes.

11. Citrus Butter

1/2 cup butter

1 tbl. Powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. zested orange peel

*this is also great on french toast, waffles or pancakes

Start with softened butter. Add other ingredients and beat with electric mixer until well blended. About 2-3 minutes.

12. Breakfast Butter

1/2 cup butter

2 tbl. honey or maple syrup

Start with softened butter. Add other ingredients and beat with electric mixer until well blended. About 3 minutes.

13. Herb Butter (recipe 2)

1/2 cup butter

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1/4 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. salt

Freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice.

Heat and pour over hot cooled vegetables.

Yield: 6 servings.

14. Lemon Butter
1/4 cup butter

1 tbl. fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

dash cayenne pepper

Melt butter. Add remaining ingredients. Heat and serve over cooked, hot vegetables. (4 servings).
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*This is exceptional on French cut green beans with almonds added!

Trying new flavors of butter will spark your creativity and expand your cooking horizons.

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Copyright March 22, 2002 Shiloah Baker

Shiloah Baker is a content and fulfilled homemaker and mother of seven. She has written hundreds of articles, recipes and crafts and runs 2 online businesses. To read more please visit her at:

http://www.homemakingcottage.com

http://www.ahomemakingjourney.com

Reprints of this article are permitted as long as it includes this byline.

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