Infused Butter Is Your Secret Weapon For More Flavorful Bakes

Making and using infused butters

To craft your infused creation, simply cook your butter for about five minutes over medium heat, adding your preferred herbs or spices. Be sure to adhere to the recipe's temperature guidelines—if it specifies cold or room temperature butter, allow it to cool or chill in the fridge as needed. Keep in mind that some butter will evaporate during the process, so it's wise to start with a little extra and measure after infusion to ensure you have the exact amount required.

When utilizing your infusion, opt for recipes that require a generous amount of butter or have fewer ingredients, allowing your infusion to take center stage. Pound cake, which relies heavily on butter for its flavor, is an excellent canvas for experimentation. Consider trying a strawberry cake with lavender-infused butter or a Chinese five-spice butter paired with an orange cake. For a twist on the classic lemon curd, infuse the butter with thyme and ginger. Create a subtly spicy fudge brownie by using cinnamon and clove-infused butter. Additionally, shortbread cookies made with rosemary-infused butter make a delightful pairing with a cup of tea.

The next time you bake classic carrot cake cupcakes, try infusing the butter with those delightful spices instead of just mixing them into the batter. You can even give basic buttermilk pancakes a savory twist by using sage and black pepper butter. Regardless of the recipe, this simple technique will add an irresistible layer of flavor to your buttery baked goods.