Vanilla Bean Honey Butter
Vanilla bean honey butter is one of those simple recipes that feels instantly special. It’s rich, creamy, lightly sweet, and has that bakery-style vanilla flavor that makes everything taste better. This is the kind of spread you pull out for weekend breakfasts, holiday brunches, or when you want something just a little extra without much effort.
For The Gift Guide You Can Make, this vanilla bean honey butter checks every box. It comes together in minutes, uses pantry ingredients, and feels incredibly thoughtful when packaged in a small jar with a ribbon and label. It’s also one of those gifts that people don’t just admire; they actually use it. Spread on warm bread, drizzled over pancakes, or melted into vegetables, this butter quickly becomes a staple.
Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Bean Honey Butter
Versatile. Sweet enough for breakfast, but subtle enough for savory dishes.
Made with real ingredients. No preservatives, fillers, or artificial flavoring.
Deep vanilla flavor. Vanilla bean paste gives it that speckled, bakery-style look and aroma.
Perfect for gifting. Small jars feel luxe without being expensive.
Quick and easy. Ready in under 10 minutes.
Ingredients
Softened butter: This creates the creamy, spreadable base. Use unsalted butter so you can control the flavor. Grass-fed butter adds extra richness, but regular butter works beautifully.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and a silky texture. Choose a mild, high-quality honey so it doesn’t overpower the vanilla.
Vanilla bean paste: This is what takes the butter from basic to bakery-level. It provides intense vanilla flavor and those beautiful specks throughout the butter. Vanilla extract can be substituted if needed.
Fine sea salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and enhances the vanilla.
Ingredient Swaps
No vanilla bean paste -> Use 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract instead.
Dairy-free -> Use a dairy-free butter stick (not tub butter).
Want it sweeter -> Add an extra tablespoon of honey.
Prefer maple flavor -> Swap half the honey for maple syrup.
Equipment Needed
Small jars for gifting (4–8 oz jars work best)
Medium mixing bowl
Hand mixer or sturdy spatula
Measuring spoons
How to Make Vanilla Bean Honey Butter
Step 1: Soften the butter.
Let the butter sit at room temperature until very soft but not melted. This ensures a smooth, fluffy texture.
Step 2: Add the honey.
Spoon the honey into the bowl with the butter. Mixing honey into softened butter first helps it incorporate evenly.
Step 3: Add vanilla and salt.
Add the vanilla bean paste and a pinch of fine sea salt.
Step 4: Whip until smooth.
Use a hand mixer or spatula to mix until light, creamy, and fully combined. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Step 5: Transfer to jars.
Spoon the butter into jars, smooth the tops, seal, and label.
How to Use Vanilla Bean Honey Butter
This is where this butter really shines. Try it:
- Spread on warm biscuits, rolls, or sourdough
- Melted over pancakes, waffles, or French toast
- Swirled into oatmeal or hot cereal
- Spread on cornbread or banana bread
- Melted over roasted carrots or sweet potatoes
- Slathered on toast with a sprinkle of flaky salt
Storage & Shelf Life
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
For gifting, keep chilled until ready to give.
Let sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving for easy spreading.
Can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Troubleshooting
Butter looks grainy:
The butter may have been too cold. Let it soften more and remix.
Butter separated:
Mix longer to fully emulsify the honey and butter.
Too sweet:
Add an extra pinch of salt and mix again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It keeps well refrigerated for up to two weeks and can be frozen longer.
Absolutely. Use 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract.
Yes. Honey butter is a type of sweet compound butter.
Yes, because it contains dairy.
It’s one of the best edible gifts — simple, elegant, and universally loved.
You May Also Like
Vanilla Bean Honey Butter
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- Pinch of fine sea salt
Instructions
- Add softened butter to a mixing bowl.
- Add honey, vanilla bean paste, and salt.
- Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer to jars and refrigerate.
Notes
- Butter temperature matters: Make sure the butter is fully softened (room temperature) before mixing. If it’s too cold, the butter won’t whip smoothly and the honey can separate.
- Vanilla bean vs extract: Vanilla bean paste gives the strongest, bakery-style vanilla flavor and those visible specks. Vanilla extract works if that’s what you have, but the flavor will be slightly lighter.
- Honey choice: A mild, floral honey works best here. Strong or dark honeys can overpower the vanilla. If your honey is thick or crystallized, gently warm it before mixing.
- How sweet it is: This butter is lightly sweet, not frosting-sweet. For a sweeter spread, add 1–2 additional tablespoons of honey.
- Whipped texture: Whipping the butter makes it lighter and easier to spread, especially straight from the fridge. You can also mix by hand for a denser, more traditional butter.
- Serving ideas: This honey butter is delicious on warm biscuits, cornbread, pancakes, waffles, banana bread, or spread on toast.
- Make-ahead friendly: This butter can be made several days ahead and keeps its flavor beautifully when stored properly.
