Strawberry Honey Butter

This Strawberry Honey Butter is a delightful twist on traditional preserves that elevates your breakfast and snack game. Perfect for spreading on toast, pancakes, or even as a sweet dip for fruits, this homemade treat showcases the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries combined with the rich flavor of honey. Whether you’re preparing for a brunch gathering or simply treating yourself, this recipe is a must-try!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Deliciously Sweet: The combination of ripe strawberries and honey creates a unique flavor that’s better than store-bought options.
• Simple to Make: With just a few ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up this strawberry honey butter in no time.
• Perfect for Gifting: Packaged in jars, this butter makes a thoughtful and delicious gift for friends and family.
• Versatile Use: Enjoy it on toast, as a dip for fruits, or even in desserts. It’s great for any occasion!
• No Preservatives: Unlike many commercial products, this homemade version contains no artificial additives or preservatives.

Tools and Preparation

To make your strawberry honey butter efficiently, you’ll need some essential tools. These will help streamline the process and ensure great results.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Food processor
• Deep pot
• Boiling water canner
• Ladle
• Jar lifter
• Headspace tool

Importance of Each Tool

• Food processor: This tool quickly purees the strawberries to the perfect consistency, saving you time and effort.
• Boiling water canner: Essential for preserving your strawberry honey butter safely; it ensures proper sealing of the jars.
• Ladle: A must-have for transferring the hot mixture into jars without making a mess.
• Jar lifter: Keeps your hands safe from burns when handling hot jars during the canning process.

Ingredients

To create this delicious strawberry honey butter, gather the following ingredients:

For the Strawberry Honey Butter

• 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 Jars

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

Step 2: Puree Strawberries

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

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

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

Step 4: Simmer Mixture

1. Lower the heat and simmer until the mixture is very thick, about 60-90 minutes.
2. Stir frequently; any foam produced will disappear during cooking. The mixture is done when it holds shape on a spoon.

Step 5: Fill Jars

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

Step 6: Seal Jars

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

Step 7: Process Jars

1. Once boiling, process jars for 10 minutes; adjust for altitude if necessary.
2. Turn off heat, remove lid, and let jars stand in water for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 8: Cool Jars

1. Carefully remove jars from water and let them cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours.
2. Check lids for seal; they should not flex when pressed at the center.

Enjoy your homemade strawberry honey butter!

How to Serve Strawberry Honey Butter

Strawberry honey butter is a delightful spread that adds a touch of sweetness to various dishes. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or enjoying a simple breakfast, here are some great ways to serve it.

On Toast

• Toasted Bread: Spread strawberry honey butter over warm, toasted bread for a delicious breakfast treat.
• Bagels: Use it as a creamy topping on toasted bagels for a sweet twist on your morning routine.

With Pancakes or Waffles

• Drizzle Over Pancakes: Add a dollop of strawberry honey butter to your pancakes for enhanced flavor and moisture.
• Serve with Waffles: Spread strawberry honey butter on waffles instead of syrup for a unique breakfast experience.

As a Dessert Dip

• Fruit Platter: Use strawberry honey butter as a dip for fresh fruit like apple slices or strawberries.
• Graham Crackers: Serve it alongside graham crackers for an easy and tasty snack.

In Baking

• Muffins: Add strawberry honey butter as a filling in muffins before baking for an extra burst of flavor.
• Scones: Pair with freshly baked scones for an indulgent afternoon tea treat.

How to Perfect Strawberry Honey Butter

Achieving the perfect strawberry honey butter takes some care. Here are some tips to make sure your batch is just right.

• Use Fresh Strawberries: Always opt for ripe and fresh strawberries to ensure maximum flavor in your preserves.
• Adjust Sweetness: Taste the mixture while cooking and adjust sugar or honey according to your preference.
• Monitor Cooking Time: Keep an eye on the cooking time; overcooking can lead to caramelization, which alters the taste.
• Check Consistency: Stir frequently and test the consistency by placing some on a cold plate; it should hold its shape.
• Seal Properly: Ensure jars are sealed properly after processing to avoid spoilage and maintain freshness.

Best Side Dishes for Strawberry Honey Butter

Strawberry honey butter pairs well with many side dishes, enhancing flavors and adding sweetness. Here are some great options:

1. Buttermilk Biscuits: Fluffy biscuits serve as an excellent base for spreading strawberry honey butter.
2. French Toast: The rich texture of french toast complements the sweet spread beautifully.
3. Oatmeal: Stirring in some strawberry honey butter into oatmeal can elevate your breakfast bowl.
4. Yogurt Parfait: Layer yogurt with granola and spoonfuls of strawberry honey butter for added sweetness.
5. Cheese Platter: Include it on cheese boards alongside soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese for a sweet-savory contrast.
6. Pancake Bites: Mini pancakes served as bites can be dipped into strawberry honey butter for fun finger food.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making strawberry honey butter can be simple, but there are common pitfalls that can affect your results.

• Bold Measurement Errors: Using incorrect measurements can ruin the consistency and flavor. Always measure your ingredients accurately for the best results.
• Bold Skipping the Pureeing Step: Not pureeing the strawberries will leave you with a chunky mixture rather than a smooth butter. Ensure you blend them until completely smooth.
• Bold Ignoring Cooking Time: Rushing the cooking process can result in a runny texture. Cook the mixture until it thickens properly, about 60-90 minutes.
• Bold Not Checking Seals Properly: Failing to check if the jars sealed correctly can lead to spoilage. Press on the center of each lid after cooling; it shouldn’t flex.
• Bold Overfilling Jars: Filling jars too much can cause overflow during processing. Leave a 1/4 inch headspace as specified in the instructions.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store in airtight containers for up to two weeks.
• Use glass jars or plastic containers that are food-safe.

Freezing Strawberry Honey Butter

• Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to six months.
• Leave some space at the top of containers for expansion during freezing.

Reheating Strawberry Honey Butter

• Bold Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and heat in an oven-safe dish until warm.
• Bold Microwave: Heat in short intervals (15-20 seconds) until desired warmth is reached, stirring in between.
• Bold Stovetop: Warm gently over low heat while stirring continuously to avoid scorching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about making strawberry honey butter.

How do I make strawberry honey butter?

To make strawberry honey butter, blend fresh strawberries into a puree and cook with sugar, honey, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and salt until thickened.

Can I use frozen strawberries for strawberry honey butter?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Just thaw them and drain excess liquid before pureeing.

What to serve with strawberry honey butter?

Strawberry honey butter pairs wonderfully with toast, muffins, pancakes, or as a topping for desserts like ice cream.

How long does homemade strawberry honey butter last?

Homemade strawberry honey butter lasts up to two weeks in the refrigerator and about six months if frozen properly.

Final Thoughts

This strawberry honey butter recipe is not only easy to make but also offers a delightful spread full of fresh flavors. It’s perfect for breakfast or as a sweet addition to any dessert. Feel free to customize it by adding spices like cinnamon or trying different sweeteners!