Strawberry Honey Butter

This Strawberry Honey Butter is a delightful treat that elevates your breakfast or snack time. With its creamy texture and sweet strawberry flavor, it’s perfect for spreading on toast, pancakes, or muffins. Homemade preserves like this one are not only tastier than store-bought options but also allow you to control the ingredients. Ideal for gatherings, gifts, or simply enjoying at home, this recipe showcases the natural sweetness of strawberries combined with honey for a truly unique experience.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: This recipe requires simple steps and minimal ingredients, making it perfect for kitchen beginners.
• Fresh Flavor: Using fresh strawberries ensures that you get vibrant flavors that store-bought jams can’t match.
• Versatile Use: Enjoy it on toast, in desserts, or even as a dip for fruits and pastries.
• Great Gift Idea: Packaged in pretty jars, it makes a lovely homemade gift for friends and family.
• Long-Lasting: Properly canned, this strawberry honey butter can be stored for months without losing its deliciousness.

Tools and Preparation

To create your Strawberry Honey Butter efficiently, you’ll need a few essential tools. Having the right equipment will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Canning jars (4 half pint)
• Boiling water canner
• Food processor
• Jar lifter
• Headspace tool
• Deep pot

Importance of Each Tool

• Canning jars: These are crucial for storing your strawberry honey butter safely while maintaining freshness.
• Boiling water canner: This tool ensures that the jars are processed correctly for safe preservation.
• Food processor: It helps in achieving a smooth puree of strawberries quickly and effortlessly.

Ingredients

This strawberry honey butter is an easy and delicious recipe for homemade preserves. Fresh strawberries and honey make it so much better than store-bought jam! This recipe makes 4 half pint jars.

For the Strawberry Mixture

• 3 pounds strawberries (washed and hulled)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup honey
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp bottled lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp salt

How to Make Strawberry Honey Butter

Step 1: Prepare Your Canner

1. Prepare your boiling water canner.
2. Heat four half pint jars in simmering water until ready to use, but do not boil.
3. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set aside with bands.

Step 2: Puree the Strawberries

1. Puree the strawberries in a food processor until smooth.

Step 3: Cook the Mixture

1. Combine the strawberry puree with the sugar, honey, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt in a deep pot set over medium heat.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.

Step 4: Thicken the Butter

1. Lower the heat and simmer until very thick (about 60-90 minutes), stirring often.
2. Any foam produced by the strawberries will disappear during cooking.
3. The strawberry honey butter is done when it holds shape on a spoon.

Step 5: Jar It Up

1. Using a jar lifter, grab one canning jar and place it on a towel or wooden cutting board.
2. Ladle hot butter into a hot jar leaving a 1/4 inch headspace.
3. Remove air bubbles with a headspace tool and wipe jar rim.

Step 6: Seal Jars

1. Center lid on jar and apply band; adjust to fingertip tight.
2. Place jar in boiling water canner and repeat until all jars are filled.

Step 7: Process Jars

1. Once boiling, process jars for 10 minutes (adjusting for altitude).
2. Turn off heat; remove lid and let jars stand in water for 5 minutes.

Step 8: Cool Down

1. Remove the jars and let them cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours.
2. Check lids for seal; they should not flex when pressed in the center.

Now that you’ve made your own strawberry honey butter, enjoy it as you please!

How to Serve Strawberry Honey Butter

Strawberry honey butter is a delightful spread that can elevate various dishes. It pairs wonderfully with breakfast items, snacks, and even desserts. Here are some creative ways to enjoy this delicious homemade treat.

On Toast

• Whole Wheat Bread: Spread strawberry honey butter on toasted whole wheat bread for a nutritious start to your day.
• French Toast: Top your fluffy French toast with a generous dollop of strawberry honey butter for added sweetness.

With Biscuits

• Homemade Biscuits: Serve warm biscuits with strawberry honey butter for a comforting breakfast or brunch option.
• Savory Scones: Pair strawberry honey butter with savory scones for a delightful contrast of flavors.

As a Dip

• Fresh Fruit: Use strawberry honey butter as a dip for fresh fruit like apples, pears, or bananas.
• Pretzel Bites: Enjoy warm pretzel bites dunked into strawberry honey butter for a sweet and salty snack.

In Desserts

• Ice Cream Topping: Drizzle warm strawberry honey butter over vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
• Pancakes & Waffles: Add a layer of strawberry honey butter on top of pancakes or waffles instead of syrup.

How to Perfect Strawberry Honey Butter

Creating the perfect strawberry honey butter involves paying attention to details. Here are some tips to enhance your recipe.

• Use fresh strawberries: Fresh berries yield the best flavor and texture. Make sure they are ripe and sweet.
• Adjust sweetness: Taste the mixture while cooking and adjust the sugar or honey according to your preference.
• Cook until thickened: Ensure you simmer the mixture long enough until it achieves a thick consistency, which enhances its spreadability.
• Store properly: Keep your jars in a cool, dark place and ensure they are sealed correctly to maximize shelf life.
• Experiment with flavors: Consider adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for an extra flavor twist.

Best Side Dishes for Strawberry Honey Butter

Strawberry honey butter is versatile and can complement many side dishes. Here are some great options to serve alongside it.

1. Fluffy Pancakes: Light and airy pancakes provide a soft base that pairs perfectly with the sweet butter.
2. Savory Breakfast Burritos: A hearty burrito filled with eggs and veggies contrasts nicely with the sweetness of strawberry honey butter.
3. Crunchy Granola: Serve granola clusters as a healthy snack option that balances well with the creamy butter.
4. Creamy Oatmeal: Add dollops of strawberry honey butter to oatmeal for an indulgent breakfast treat.
5. Homemade Muffins: Sweet muffins, such as blueberry or lemon poppy seed, make an excellent match with this fruity spread.
6. Warm Croissants: Flaky croissants slathered with strawberry honey butter create an irresistible combination that feels luxurious.
7. Yogurt Parfaits: Layer yogurt with granola and fruit, then drizzle on some strawberry honey butter for added flavor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making strawberry honey butter, it’s easy to overlook crucial steps. Here are some common mistakes to avoid for a successful batch.

• Overcooking: Cooking the mixture too long can lead to a dry texture. Keep an eye on the time and stop when it thickens sufficiently.
• Not sterilizing jars: Failing to properly sterilize jars can cause spoilage. Always heat your jars before filling them with the hot mixture.
• Ignoring headspace: Leaving too little headspace can prevent proper sealing. Ensure you leave a 1/4 inch headspace as specified in the instructions.
• Skipping the salt: Omitting salt may result in a bland flavor. Always include it to enhance the sweetness of your strawberry honey butter.
• Not checking seals: If lids aren’t sealed correctly, your preserves may spoil quickly. After cooling, press down on the center of each lid to ensure a proper seal.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store in airtight containers.
• Use within 2-3 weeks for optimal freshness.

Freezing Strawberry Honey Butter

• Portion into freezer-safe containers or bags.
• Freeze for up to 6 months.

Reheating Strawberry Honey Butter

• Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place in an oven-safe dish and warm until heated through.
• Microwave: Heat in short intervals of 15-20 seconds, stirring in between until warm.
• Stovetop: Warm over low heat, stirring frequently until desired temperature is reached.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about strawberry honey butter that will help you with your recipe.

What is Strawberry Honey Butter?

Strawberry honey butter is a delightful spread made from pureed strawberries, honey, and other ingredients that create a sweet and creamy texture.

How can I customize my Strawberry Honey Butter?

You can add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or even mix in different fruits like raspberries for a unique flavor twist.

How long does Strawberry Honey Butter last?

Properly stored strawberry honey butter can last up to 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator or up to 6 months if frozen.

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

Yes! You can use frozen strawberries; just make sure they are thawed and drained before pureeing.

What do I serve with Strawberry Honey Butter?

This delicious spread pairs wonderfully with pancakes, toast, muffins, or as a dip for fruit!

Final Thoughts

This strawberry honey butter recipe is not only easy to make but also incredibly versatile. Its sweet and fruity flavor makes it perfect for breakfast spreads or dessert toppings. Feel free to customize it with your favorite spices or fruits for an added twist!