Who knew butter could get any better? Meet compound butter with a twist! This culinary delight blends the rich, creamy texture of butter with the warm, bold flavor of bourbon whiskey, resulting in a luxurious spread that elevates virtually any dish. Whether you’re an experienced chef or a cooking enthusiast looking to try something new, this bourbon brown butter recipe is your ticket to gourmet bliss.
For centuries, European explorers traveled the world, risking life and limb, on a mission to bring back spices from exciting “new” regions. But they already had the most delicious food on Earth at home: butter. Even today, with the amazing array of global foods available to us in our neighborhood grocery stores, nothing compares to butter. Whether used in baking or softened and spread on crusty bread with a sprinkle of flaky salt, the flavor of butter just can’t be beat!
Compound butter combines softened butter with other ingredients, such as herbs, citrus, and spices. This compound butter is better than your average, adding a sugary bourbon reduction and toasty browned butter into whipped softened butter for the perfect combination of earthy flavors and fresh, fluffy, whipped buttery texture.
Next time you’re looking to add an extra layer of flavor to your dishes, give this bourbon-infused compound butter a try. Its unique blend of flavors is sure to impress your family and guests alike. Enjoy your culinary adventure!
How to Make Bourbon Brown Butter
Here’s a quick overview of how to make bourbon brown butter. It’s a simple, flavorful recipe that can be used as a spread, sauce, or garnish for desserts. Keep the shelf-stable ingredients on hand and you can quickly make this staple whenever you run out. Our detailed recipe and ingredients list are below.
Reduce the Whiskey
Bring the whiskey to a boil in a saucepan, and cook until reduced by three quarters. It should just coat the bottom of the pan.
Add the Sugar
Add granulated sugar to the reduced whiskey, and cook until sugar melts and just starts to bubble. You’re not trying to make a caramel. Think of it like a whiskey-based simple syrup. Pour into a bowl, and cool.
Brown the Butter
In the same pan, melt some of the butter, then keep cooking until the butter starts to smell nutty. Add it to the bowl with the whiskey mixture, and let cool. It’s very important to cool down the mixture so it doesn’t melt the softened butter once it’s time to mix all the components.
Beat the Butter
While the whiskey mixture cools, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. The butter should be spreadable and light before adding the other ingredients.
Add the Whiskey Mixture
Drizzle the cooled brown butter mixture into the whipped butter a little at a time, beating until fully incorporated. The mixture will be soft, so work quickly to transfer the mixture to a small serving bowl, piping bag, or parchment paper. Refrigerate until ready to use, then serve with cornbread, pumpkin bread, grilled meats, roasted veggies, or whatever your heart desires!
How to Use Compound Butter
This versatile butter can transform almost any meal. When the butter is ready to use, you can scoop it into a bowl to use immediately, spread over toast, or dollop on top of pancakes made with Bisquick™ Original Pancake & Baking Mix. You can also shape the finished butter mixture into a log on a piece of parchment paper, roll up and chill until solid, then cut into coins to place on top of grilled meats and vegetables for a luxurious finishing touch.
The prettiest way to use it? Spoon into Betty Crocker decorating bags, which can be purchased on Amazon. Fit the bag with a star tip, chill and then pipe over cornbread muffins, banana chocolate chip muffin tops, gingerbread cake, or brownies. The possibilities are endless!
Grilled Beef Steaks are the perfect savory canvas for our bourbon brown butter.
Gingerbread Cake made with Betty Crocker’s gingerbread cake mix will fill your kitchen with its delicious aroma in minutes.
Traditional Cornbread, made from scratch, takes only 10 minutes to pop in the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Watch Video
Bourbon Brown Butter
- Prep Time 25 min
- Total 50 min
- Servings 24
- Ingredients 3
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
Instructions
-
Step1In 3-quart saucepan, heat whiskey to boiling over medium heat; cook 2 to 4 minutes, until reduced to 2 tablespoons.
-
Step2Add sugar to reduced whiskey in pan; cook 30 to 90 seconds, stirring frequently, until sugar melts and just starts to bubble. Pour into small bowl; cool. Clean out pan.
-
Step3In same pan, over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. Cook 3 to 4 minutes longer, or until butter is lightly browned and begins to smell nutty. Add to bowl with whiskey mixture; cool 15 to 25 minutes.
-
Step4Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat remaining 3/4 cup softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed 2 to 3 minutes or until light and fluffy.
-
Step5Add brown butter mixture to bowl with whipped butter 2 tablespoons at a time; continue to beat on medium speed until well mixed.
-
Step6Transfer to bowl, piping bag, or parchment paper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: About 1 Tablespoon
- Calories
- 80
- Calories from Fat
- 70
- Total Fat
- 8g
- 12%
- Saturated Fat
- 5g
- 24%
- Trans Fat
- 0g
- Cholesterol
- 20mg
- 7%
- Sodium
- 60mg
- 3%
- Potassium
- 0mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate
- 2g
- 1%
- Dietary Fiber
- 0g
- 0%
- Sugars
- 2g
- Protein
- 0g
% Daily Value*:
- Vitamin A
- 4%
- 4%
- Vitamin C
- 0%
- 0%
- Calcium
- 0%
- 0%
- Iron
- 0%
- 0%
Exchanges:
0 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1 1/2 Fat;Carbohydrate Choice
0Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
- tip 1
- tip 2