This orange honey butter recipe is the simple upgrade you didn't know you needed. It turns just four simple ingredients into the most delicious condiment to give your favorite baked goods some extra oomph.
Sweet and ultra creamy, this citrusy butter belongs on everything from flaky biscuits to fluffy pancakes and French toast, and bonus: it takes less than five minutes to pull together.
There are some things that just make your taste buds stop and pay attention, and let me tell you, this butter is it. You know that feeling when you bite into something and your brain says, "Wait. What is this?" That's what happens the first time you spread this homemade honey butter on a warm golden brown roll.
It's sweet but not overly so. Bright but won't make your lips pucker. It has that perfect balance of sweetness and citrus that makes even a plain piece of toast feel like something worth waking up for, and it's one of those recipes you'll wonder how you ever lived without.
Whether you've been searching for a versatile condiment to elevate your breakfast items, a simple spread for a dinner party bread basket, or just something delicious to keep in your fridge all week, this is the recipe you need.
I love to spread this on my small batch buttermilk biscuits recipe or 3 ingredient drop biscuits, but guess what? It's also amazing on sweet potato cornbread or buttermilk cornbread muffins. Add a little to my lemon blueberry muffins with streusel topping to take them over the top, or spread some on this Dutch baby giant pancake.
I wouldn't be mad at serving it with my pumpkin buttermilk pancakes either. Or, melt a little and drizzle it over chicken tenders or add a hefty dollop to baked sweet potatoes.
Seriously, y'all. This butter recipe is so versatile. Four ingredients, a bowl, a hand mixer, and maybe ten minutes of your life. That's it. And the result is something so good, you'll be making excuses to bake a buttermilk biscuit just so you have something to put it on.
Ready to make it? Let's do it!
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Ingredients
Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we need for this recipe:
- salted butter
- honey
- orange zest
- vanilla extract
(See recipe card for quantities.)
Instructions
Now that we've got our ingredients, it's time to get started!
- First, beat the butter until creamy.
- Then, add the remaining ingredients and beat until smooth.
Hint: Don't rush the butter softening. If it's even slightly too cold, the honey won't incorporate smoothly and you'll end up with a lumpy spread instead of that silky, smooth texture you're after.
The Ultimate Fried Chicken Biscuit
Whether you're a fan of a Chick-fil-A chicken biscuit or prefer Whataburger's honey butter chicken biscuit, this creamy butter with honey and orange will help you make the most amazing honey butter chicken biscuit sandwich at home.
All you have to do is grab a biscuit (homemade, store-bought, or baked-from-frozen are all great) and split it. Then, slather the honey butter on the biscuit, add a piece of chicken (I like fried chicken tenders or fried small chicken breasts), and drizzle on some additional melted butter over the top. A buttery biscuit, sweet orange-y honey butter, and crispy chicken? Life-changing.
Substitutions
Out of something? Need some ingredient substitutions? I've got you covered:
- Salted butter: Unsalted butter will work too if that's what you've got on-hand. Just add a pinch of salt to the butter to balance out the sweetness of the honey.
- Dairy-free: If you're cooking for someone with lactose intolerance or following a dairy-free diet, coconut oil in its solid state (not melted) can work as a butter substitute. The flavor will shift slightly since coconut oil has its own mild taste, but combined with the honey and orange zest, it still produces a delicious spread. Just make sure the coconut oil is firm but not rock solid before whipping.
- Honey: Agave nectar and maple syrup are great substitutes for the honey. If you prefer a sweeter butter, just add a little more of whichever sweetener you use.
Variations
This recipe is so versatile. Here are some variations:
- Lemon honey butter: Swap out lemon zest for the orange zest for a tart twist. Meyer lemons are on the sweeter side, if you want to go for one of those.
- Cilantro-lime honey butter: Use lime zest instead of orange and stir in a little chopped fresh cilantro. It's great to brush on grilled corn or to toss with shrimp for a yummy shrimp taco.
- Herb-infused orange honey butter: Stir in your favorite herbs for an added boost of flavor.
- Spicy: A pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce will add a hint of heat.
- Savory twist: Prefer savory flavors to sweet? A small pinch of black pepper or a touch of flaky sea salt stirred in at the end creates a sweet-and-salty version that's incredible on dinner rolls or tossed with roasted vegetables.
Equipment
Here's the equipment you'll need to make this recipe:
- dry measuring cup
- measuring spoons
- microplane zester
- medium bowl
- handheld electric mixer
Storage
To refrigerate: Transfer the butter to an airtight container or for a fancier presentation, roll it into a log using a piece of plastic wrap and twist the ends to close. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Let the butter sit at room temperature before serving.
To freeze: Spoon the butter into a freezer-safe container or small zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
Tasty Tip
Taste this butter as you go. Want it sweeter? Add a little extra honey. Want more citrus punch? Add another small pinch of zest. This recipe is forgiving and easy to adjust.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, and it actually gets better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours. The orange zest infuses more deeply into the butter overnight.
Salted butter gives you a built-in savory note that balances the sweetness and amplifies the other flavors. If you use unsalted butter, add a small pinch of salt to before mixing.
Absolutely. Melt it down gently in a saucepan and brush it over baked goods for a glossy, golden finish right before serving.
Honestly, any type of honey will work, especially if you use high-quality honey. Most grocery stores carry clover honey or orange blossom honey, and both are great. I recommend using a local honey if you can get it.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this orange honey butter:
🍽Get the recipe
Orange Honey Butter Recipe for Rolls, Biscuits, and More
Equipment
- dry measuring cup
- measuring spoons
- microplane zester
- medium bowl
- handheld electric mixer
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter (1 stick of butter), softened
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Beat the softened butter in a medium bowl with a hand-held mixer until creamy and smooth.
- Add the honey, orange zest, and vanilla and beat until smooth.
Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips
When developing and testing recipes, here are some key things that I do for more success in the kitchen:
- Be sure to use dry measuring cups for things like flour, sugar, and mayonnaise and a liquid measuring cup for things like water, milk, and broth.
- When measuring dry ingredients like flour and powdered sugar that can pack down, spoon the ingredient into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife as opposed to scooping the measuring cup into the ingredient.
- I test and develop recipes using a standard electric oven and standard gas stovetop. Be aware that if you use an electric stovetop or convection oven, your bake times will be different.
- When recipes call for kosher salt, I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt.
Food safety
Finally, don't forget to keep these food safety tips in mind when making this recipe:
- Don't leave leftovers sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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