Cherchies Blog

20 Sweet & Savory Compound Butter Recipes

glaze marinade & sauce, grillingSheri Spallone4 Comments
20 Sweet & Savory Compound Butter Recipes

20 Sweet & Savory Compound Butter Recipes

So what is “churning” in our kitchen today? Compound butter! If you have never made compound butter, then you are missing out! Compound butter is a cinch to make, and it adds a rich finish to pretty much everything, meats, seafood, bread, vegetables, pancakes, waffles, and so much more. We wanted to share 20 of our favorite compound butter combinations below (using, you guessed it, Cherchies® products) and directions on how to make them.

So what exactly is compound butter? It is softened butter infused with sweet or savory ingredients. The possibilities are endless for what can go into butter-herbs, cheese, fruit, mustard, spices, jams, fruit, bacon, etc. Talk about a blank canvas!

Sweet compound butter pairs well with scones, rolls, pancakes, waffles, biscuits, croissants, etc., whereas savory compound butter is better with meats, seafood, bread, vegetables, popcorn, and pasta. And sometimes, the sweet and savory are paired together to create something unusually delicious, such as Blackberry Preserves, Champagne Mustard, and butter.

Compound butter is perfect for holidays and parties or anytime you feel fancy, but it also makes an ideal gift for the food-lover in your life. Wrap it up or spread the love into a pretty bowl or container, and voila, an instant homemade gift!

So what are you waiting for? Mix up your favorite Cherchies® products today and make tasty compound butter. You will not be disappointed! Comment below and let us know your favorite combinations or if you have a new mix to share. Have fun!

Enjoy!

Sweet Compound butters- Use on scones, rolls, pancakes, waffles, French Toast, biscuits, corn bread, croissants, and toasted bagels.

  • Fig, cinnamon, and honey butter- Combine 1/2 c. (8 Tablespoons) unsalted softened butter with 1/4 cup Cherchies® Fig Preserves with Cinnamon, and 1 Tablespoon honey.

  • Strawberry honey butter- Combine 1/2 c. (8 Tablespoons) unsalted softened butter with 1/4 cup Cherchies® Strawberry Butter Spread, and 1 Tablespoon honey.

  • Cranberry Butter with Champagne- Combine 1/2 c. (8 Tablespoons) unsalted softened butter with 1/4 cup Cherchies® Cranberry Preserves with Champagne, and 1 teaspoon (tsp) orange zest.

  • Blackberry Bourbon Butter- Combine 1/2 c. (8 Tablespoons) unsalted softened butter, 1/4 cup Cherchies® Blackberry Seedless Preserves, 2 teaspoons (tsp) honey, and 2 teaspoons (tsp) Bourbon (optional).

  • Cherry Vanilla Butter- Combine 1/2 c. (8 Tablespoons) unsalted softened butter, 1/4 cup Cherchies® Cherry Butter Spread, and 1 teaspoon (tsp) vanilla.

  • Apple Cinnamon Honey Butter- Combine 1/2 c. butter (8 Tablespoons) unsalted softened butter with 1/4 cup Cherchies® Apple Butter Spread, and 1 Tablespoon honey.

  • Strawberry Lemon Butter- Combine 1/2 c. (8 Tablespoons) unsalted softened butter, 1/4 cup Cherchies® Strawberry Butter Spread, and 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp.) lemon zest.

  • Blackberry Lemon Butter- Combine 1/2 c. (8 Tablespoons) unsalted softened butter, 1/4 cup Cherchies® Blackberry Preserves, and 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp.) lemon zest.

Savory Compound Butters- Add to meats, seafood, breads, vegetables, popcorn, and pasta.

Here is how it is done

Soften Butter

It all starts with this key ingredient...butter! Make sure to use unsalted butter so you can control the salt, unless directed otherwise. Allow the butter to come to room temperature. I usually leave the butter out on my counter for a couple of hours, but some sources suggest cutting the butter into chunks and setting aside.

Mix

Once the butter is softened, combine the desired ingredients in a bowl with a whisk, rubber spatula, or a hand mixer. I will often soften several sticks of butter and divide them into ramekins so I can make several flavors.

Chill
Once the butter is in your desired container, chill the butter in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. The butter should be nice and firm when it is ready. Experiment and have fun!

  • Cylinder/log- Turn the mixture out onto a long sheet of plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or parchment paper. Use the wrap/foil to roll the butter into a cylinder. Twist the ends, gradually applying more pressure as you twist in order to make the cylinder taut. Once the butter has chilled, slice the butter into discs or “coins” as some like to say.

  • Bowl- For a more rustic presentation, spread the butter into a pretty bowl or container. Presented this way would make perfect gifts.

  • Shape it- Spread the butter on a baking sheet and once it is chilled, use cookie cutters to create festive shapes OR spread the butter into plastic candy molds before chilling.

Up the coolness factor at your next family gathering or party and make these tasty compound butters today.

Yum

Inspirational Irish quotes

Sheri SpalloneComment

Happy St. Patrick’s Day friends!

Whether you are Irish or not, today is a celebration of Irish culture. History shows that St. Patrick’s Day observes the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking, and lots of green. It is a day for everyone to celebrate.

Ireland is also a magical place to visit and is noted for its friendly, warm people, its wonderful scenery, its castles, and ancient churches, and of course, its forty shades of green (aka The Emerald Isle).

On the day of celebrating everything Irish, today seemed like the perfect day to transport you to Ireland and experience a side of Ireland you may not get to see. Enjoy some of our favorite breathtaking views and quotes from our visit to this beautiful country two years ago.

Have a great day and Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Inspirational Quotes and Blessings.

  • "Laughter is brightest, where food is best". -Irish Proverb

  • "Bless us with good food, the gift of gab, and hearty laughter. May the love we share be with us ever after".-Irish Blessing

  • "If you can see the hills, it's going to rain if you can't, it's raining"- Dave Hogan

  • "Kiss the cook...she's Irish" -(Love this one!)

  • As you ramble through life, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole.- Irish Proverb

  • "There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, may they always be". -Irish Proverb

  • "A cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle". -Irish Proverb

  • “May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door”- Irish Blessing.

  • “May the dreams you hold dearest, be those that come true, and the kindness you spread, keep returning to you”.- Irish Blessing

 

 

Yum

Cooking Tip: Perfect Boiled Eggs

cooking tipsSheri Spallone2 Comments
Cooking Tip: How to have perfect hard boiled eggs every time!

Cooking Tip: How to have perfect hard boiled eggs every time!

Do you hate those green rings around your overcooked egg yolks? Have no fear!

Place eggs into a pot of cold water, making sure to cover them entirely with water. Turn the stove on and cook the eggs until they start to boil, then turn off, remove the pot from the heat, and cover for 10 minutes. Don't forget to set your timer!

After 10 minutes, drain the eggs and place them in a bowl of ice water (ice and water) to chill. If going to use immediately, gently crack each egg after 2-3 minutes, allowing water to loosen the shell, and place back in the ice water for about 5 minutes. Once the 5 minutes is up, peel away my friends. The result is perfect yellow egg yolks with no "ring around the collar" (ha!).

This process has worked for us for many years. What is your favorite way to hard-boil eggs? Comment below. Thank you for visiting! Come back again.

 

Yum

Cherry Pie Cookie Bites Recipe

desserts, snacksSheri SpalloneComment
Cherry Pie Cookie Cups Recipe

Cherry Pie Cookie Cups Recipe

Cook Time:  9 Minutes
Prep Time:  10 minutes (plus 2-3 hours for chilling dough)
Difficulty:  Easy

Hello friends!  Happy Valentine’s Day, Happy February, and Happy Cherry Month!  “While most people enjoy cherries in the middle of summer (hello…there is snow on the ground here), Cherry month (February) serves to remind you that cherries can be enjoyed at any time of year, in any form.”  And, “indulging in massive consumption of cherries is the only way to celebrate (daysoftheyear.com).  So, are you ready to talk cherries and Cherry Pie Cookie Bites?

These easy to make Cherry Pie Cookie Bites are mini in size, but mighty in flavor!  Bursting with fresh juicy cherries, bathed in Cherchies® Cherry Butter Spread, and nestled in a homemade buttery cookie crust, these sweet-tart morsels will tantalize your taste buds and make your head swoon.  

Enjoy these little gems for any occasion, any time of the year (even if it is snowing), but make sure to grab some for yourself because these cookie bites will disappear right before your eyes.

Here is how they are made.

Thanks for stopping by:) Comment below if you have tried this tasty recipe. Come back again for more family-tested recipes, entertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Ingredients
Cookie ingredients
1 1/2 c. sifted confectioner's sugar
1 c. butter softened to room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon (tsp) vanilla
1/2 teaspoon (tsp) almond extract
2 1/2 c. sifted flour
1 teaspoon (tsp) cream of tartar
1 teaspoon (tsp) baking soda

Filling Ingredients
1 lb. bag of sweet cherries (pits removed), slice half of them in half
1/2 jar Cherchies® Cherry Butter Spread
1/2 teaspoon (tsp) cornstarch

Icing Ingredients (optional)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon (tsp) lemon juice

Preparations  
(If you are short on time, feel free to use refrigerated sugar cookie dough). 

In a mixing bowl, cream the sifted powdered sugar and butter.  To sift the powdered sugar (or any dry ingredient), as the recipe indicates, all you need is a fine mesh strainer. Simply plop the strainer over a bowl, pour the ingredients into a strainer, and gently shake the ingredients. It looks like a fine powder when finished.

Add egg and flavorings and mix thoroughly. 

Stir in dry the rest of dry ingredients until incorporated.  Refrigerate for 2-3 hours if going to make into cut out cookies, otherwise chill for 30 minutes.

While the dough is chilling in the refrigerator, make the cherry filling.  Wash and remove pits from cherries.  (Yes, it’s the “pits” to remove them…(Ha!), but use this use this tool or something similar to make life a lot easier). Slice half of the cherries in half (you will use the remaining whole cherries as a garnish at the end).

Why buy canned cherry pie filling when you can make your own from scratch in minutes? It really is not hard and the flavor is so much better than canned pie filling.

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and Cherchies® Cherry Butter together.  Add the cherry butter mixture and the cherries to a small saucepan and heat on low for about 5 minutes, or until cherry butter has dissolved and the mixture is smooth and thick, (similar to the consistency of canned pie filling -5 minutes).  Remove from heat and allow to cool.  Set aside.

For cookie balls- Once the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Spray muffin tins with cooking spray.  Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and place into mini muffin tins.

Using a small round measuring spoon, a small melon ball scooper, a mini wooden tart tamper, or your finger, press the dough into the mini muffin tins, creating a cookie cup to hold the filling.  Be careful not to go all the way through to the bottom.  

Bake the cookie cups for about 10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.  Remove the muffin tins briefly (as they will expand while they bake) to tamp down the dough back into shape.  Return the cookie cups to the oven to finish cooking for a couple of minutes, until cookie cups are a golden brown.

Remove the muffin tins from the oven and allow to cool in pan for 10-15 minutes, then gently run a knife along the sides to pop them out. (If you used enough cooking spray, then the cookie cups should come out rather easily). Once cookie cups have briefly cooled, remove them from the pan and carefully fill them with the cherry filling, making sure to add a whole cherry on top for the garnish. For the "icing on top", mix together the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl.  If the icing is too thick, add a couple of drops of water, until the consistency is thick but smooth and runny.  Drizzle the icing over the cherry pie cookie bites with the tines of a fork.





Yum