Friends – today I’m humbly bring you the smallest, quickest, five-minute luxury for the Thanksgiving table that requires no oven space, very little brain power AND you can make it well ahead of the big day: whipped honey butter. And because we’re in Texas, the best way to honey butter (it’s a verb now) is to add a sprinkle of cinnamon and powdered sugar, making it a Texas Roadhouse dupe. Let’s get into it!
Homemade honey butter is made with just three ingredients: softened butter, honey, and a pinch of salt. My favorite ratio is equal parts butter and honey by volume – ½ cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter to ½ cup of honey. Whip everything together until light and fluffy and you’ve got a sweet, creamy spread that belongs on every warm biscuit, slice of cornbread, and Thanksgiving dinner roll.
And yes, honey butter really is just honey and butter mixed together. Sometimes the simplest things are the most delicious, I’m sure of it.
What’s in Homemade Honey Butter?
The beauty of this easy honey butter recipe is that you probably already have everything you need.
- Unsalted butter: One stick (½ cup), softened to room temperature. Soft butter is the secret to a fluffy, whipped texture. I prefer unsalted butter so I can control the seasoning.
- Honey: ½ cup of your favorite honey. This is where all that floral sweetness comes from. Use a honey you genuinely enjoy the flavor of because it’s going to shine here.
- A pinch of salt: Don’t skip it! Salt balances the sweetness and makes the butter taste even more buttery. A little flaky sea salt on top is also very welcome.
- Optional: Ground cinnamon and powdered sugar.
How To Make Honey Butter Light and Fluffy
The difference between simply stirring honey and butter together and making fluffy whipped honey butter is all in the mixing.
Start with softened butter. This is important. Butter that’s straight from the refrigerator won’t whip properly, and melted butter won’t hold onto the air we’re trying to incorporate. You’re looking for butter that’s soft enough to leave an indentation when pressed with your finger but isn’t greasy or melting.
Place the softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or use a hand mixer) and beat for a minute or two until smooth and creamy.
Add the honey and whip! Pour in the honey gradually, add a pinch of salt, and continue beating on medium speed for about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
You’ll notice the butter become lighter in color and beautifully creamy. That’s our goal. We’re incorporating air into the softened butter rather than simply stirring the ingredients together.
Give it a taste. More salt? A little extra honey? You’re the boss of your butter.
If you’re making the honey butter well ahead of Thanksgiving (and you totally should), I like to store it in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap touching the surface of the butter for extra protection.
How To Make Cinnamon Honey Butter (Texas Roadhouse Style)
If you’ve ever found yourself looking forward to the cinnamon butter at Texas Roadhouse as much as the warm rolls, I understand completely.
To turn this recipe into a sweet cinnamon honey butter, add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and ¼ cup powdered sugar to the butter, honey, and salt. Whip everything together until smooth and fluffy.
The cinnamon adds cozy warmth, while the powdered sugar makes the butter a little thicker, sweeter, and more like that familiar restaurant-style spread.
It’s especially lovely for Thanksgiving, but I’d also like to suggest keeping a little container in the refrigerator for toast on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday.
What To Serve With Honey Butter
The short answer? Any warm bread willing to hold a generous swipe of butter.
Here are a few favorites from my kitchen:
- Parker House Rolls: Soft, buttery, and practically begging for a spoonful of honey butter. These would be my first choice for the Thanksgiving table.
- Dad’s Buttermilk Biscuits: My dad knows his way around a biscuit, and honey butter melts into all those tender, flaky layers beautifully.
- Warm cornbread: This might be the perfect combination, especially with a little salty crust on the cornbread to balance the sweet honey.
- Cheddar Chive Scones with Hot Honey Butter: If you like a little sweet heat, this is another fantastic butter situation. Sharp cheddar, fresh chives, and a spicy honey butter make for an excellent brunch.
And, of course, leftover Thanksgiving rolls warmed up the next morning with cinnamon honey butter and a cup of coffee. Highly recommended.
Can You Make Honey Butter Ahead for Thanksgiving?
Absolutely! In fact, honey butter is one of those lovely Thanksgiving recipes that’s better made ahead simply because it’s one less thing to think about on Thursday.
Make the butter up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
When you’re ready to serve, remove it from the fridge about 30 to 60 minutes before dinner, depending on how warm your kitchen is. You want the butter soft enough to spread easily without becoming melted or oily.
If it feels a little dense after refrigeration, give it a quick stir or re-whip it for a minute to bring back some of that lovely fluffy texture.
For Thanksgiving, I like the idea of dividing the butter between two small serving bowls so both ends of the table can get to it. An extremely minor detail that feels like excellent holiday hosting.
A Few Honey Butter Questions, Answered
Can I make honey butter without a mixer?
Yes! Use very soft butter and a fork or sturdy whisk to thoroughly combine it with the honey and salt. It won’t be quite as light and fluffy as the whipped version, but it’ll still taste delicious.
Can I use salted butter?
Absolutely. Just leave out the additional pinch of salt, taste, and adjust as needed. I happen to love a little salty contrast with the sweet honey.
Does homemade honey butter need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Store your homemade honey butter in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Let it soften at room temperature before serving, and refrigerate leftovers promptly.
And there we have it, friends. Five minutes, three ingredients, and one very good reason to make an extra batch of dinner rolls this Thanksgiving.
Sometimes the smallest things on the table bring the most joy.
Happy Thanksgiving and happy baking!
xo Joy