Hello there! Today I’m joining 25 other bloggers to bring you We Gather Together – A Thanksgiving Blog Hop hosted by Amber at Follow the Yellow Brick Home. You will find a ton of Thanksgiving inspiration today. And a big fat thank you to all who have hopped over from Decor to Adore! Laura is one of my favorite people on all of blog land. Let’s get started!
Around this time of year most of us need a hostess gift or a little something to give away for one reason or another. And I’ve been searching Pinterest for days and came up empty. I saw plenty of nice ideas but nothing sparked my interest – until now. I have the best hostess gift ever for all of us! I’m talking butter baby. Smooth, delicious flavored butta. Who doesn’t need or love butter? Honestly, I can’t believe I’ve never tried this before!
The Best Hostess Gift Ever – Flavored Butter!
When I saw the words compound or flavored butter on the screen I knew it would be tasty. But what really had me was that it sounded easy. Plus, this gift is also going to be slightly original (I’ve never received any) and homemade so what’s better than that?
The plan was to make four recipes – two savory and two sweet but I ran out of day. We had friends coming over for dinner and a movie so I was only able to make two. But oh my golly, y’all are going to go insane when you taste these butters! You might become the talk of all Hostess gift circles! I’m totally serious. They are that good. Mmm Mmm Good.
Hostess Gift #1 – Italian Butter
This one is perfect for bread or pasta and it has pretty coloring too.
Ingredients:
- 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
- 5 tsp. sun dried tomatoes, chopped and dried (soak up oil with paper towels)
- 5 tsp. fresh basil leaves, chopped (I used the pre-made paste)
- 2-1/2 tsp. minced garlic
- pinch of salt
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together with a hand mixer, That’s it. You’re done! So easy, so delicious and what a wonderful hostess gift!
You can store the butter in a mason jar or shape it and store in wax paper. I doubled the recipe and it made just enough to fill two small mason jars like you see in the photo.
The French bread came out with so much more flavor. We still have quite a bit so stirring it in with pasta is next. Yummy!
Hostess Gift #2 – Red Plum Jam Butter
You are either going to say this cannot be this easy or say I’m a genius because it is. All you need for this butter is your favorite jam. Yep, the kind you get in a jar at the grocery store. I grew up on Red Plum so that’s my first choice. I suppose you could try grape if that’s your thing but I think fresh blueberries, raspberries or strawberries would be oh-so-delicious too.
Ingredients:
- 1 Stick Salted butter, room temperature
- 5 Heaping Tbls. favorite jam
Instructions:
- Whip the butter with a hand mixer until fluffy.
- Add the jam and mix it together by hand.
That’s it! These are so delicious, you’ll start looking for reasons to make them and ways to use them. I think I may have to learn how to make real biscuits but I hear that’s difficult, so probably not. If any of you make one of these, please let me know how it was.
My kids tease me that I can only cook 5 things and I’m okay with that. But I think they are going to love these so now I’m up to 6 dang good things! 😉
Anyone want to invite me over for Thanksgiving or to a party? I’ll bring you the best Hostess gift ever!
Happy Thanksgiving and Gift Giving!
Next up is my friend Judith at Botanic Bleu. You’ll love her French Country style and natural centerpiece. Make sure and click on all the links below for more Thanksgiving inspiration!
I never even thought about making flavored butter as a gift, Cindy, you are totally genius! I’ll just go a head and tell you thank you from my Dad because he is going to be bananas for your italian butter recipe 🙂 I can’t wait to try this. Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, CoCo
Author
Tell you dad he’s so welcome and I’ll think of him next time I smear some of the Italian butter on my French bread! Glad you’re going to try it! Enjoy your family and many blessings.
So far I’ve only made the Italian Butter…oh my goodness!!! It’s so delicious I couldn’t stop spreading it on bread, I had a good French bread. I’m going to be making more tomorrow as gifts. I know my friends will be begging for more!
Thank you
Author
That is so exciting to hear Linda! I need to make more. We’ve run out!
Cindy I never thought of doing this and so easy. I never had plum jam, sounds delicious. I love blueberry.
I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week
Cindy
Author
I know, right?! It snuck up fast. You should try the red plum. It’s my fave! Happy Thanksgiving Cindy
I’m putting my order in for Italian butter when you come for lunch in a couple of weeks. Man, I want to lick the computer screen!
Author
It’s a deal! Glad you didn’t like the screen, I don’t think dust tastes all that great. Not that I’d know of course. Happy Thanksgiving to the Gunn family!
Cindy, I love your herb butter hostess gifts. I like to make herbed butter for the Thanksgiving table. Happy almost Thanksgiving! Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Author
Oh, herb butter sounds much more fancy than flavored butter. I’ll have to remember that! Enjoy your week Cecilia and happy Thanksgiving
Cindy, great idea for a hostess gift. Compound butters are very French ~ oo~la~la. Made a ton when I was in culinary school. So many possibilities.
Author
Thank you Carol. I didn’t realize it was French but I did feel very fancy. I can hardly wait to make more. I already have several in mind!
What a wonderful idea to gift a hostess with flavored butter. Both versions sound so good!!
Author
Paula, they are extremely tasty. Hope you try it sometime. You’ll think of me and say wowza, she is a genius! 😉 Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh wow, this really is a fabulous idea. I can’t wait to make some wonderfully flavored kinds of butter. Thanks for the inspiration.
Author
My pleasure Marty! Don’t forget to double the recipe so you can keep some too! Happy Thanksgiving
Oh, perfect! I’m going to make some of these to give with fresh-baked bread for holiday gifts for neighbors. I was looking for something new, so a big thank you for the inspiration and recipe!
Author
My pleasure Karen! And wow, I wish you lived near me. I’d love some fresh baked bread! Your neighbors are going to love you! Enjoy
Wonderful idea and right up my alley…simple at it’s best!! I cannot wait to try both of these and give as gifts, too. I also like the idea that Karen Mary had and include a loaf of homemade bread with the butters!! Thank you so very much for sharing these recipes…and most of all, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!
Author
Yay Karolyn! I’m so glad you’re going to try them! I have the makings for a cinnamon honey and the lemon dill which I can hardly wait to put on yucky ol’ fish. Fingers crossed it makes it more appetizing. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving too.
What a perfect idea for a hostess gift…you can come to my house anytime!
Cheers!
Shelley
Author
Thank you Shelley! BTW, I’m keeping this comment forever so YOU will have it to refer back too when I come knocking on the door one day. 🙂
Luv, luv, luv! What a great idea (flavored butter). I will definitely be using this idea. I bet your mom would like some of that plum butter. She told me once that red plum jam was her favorite!
Author
As a matter of fact, I thought of you when I made it! I’ll have some for you next time we get together. It’s super delicious! Love you Mommy Dearest.
Great idea! At a restaurant my son takes me to they have cinnamon butter, which would be good but i like the two you posted and will be trying them. My younger son gave me one of those little butter churners and i think i will try making some with the Italian recipe, thanks again and have a very Happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends.
Author
Thank you Marlene. I plan to make a cinnamon honey butter next. Goodness, I’m going to have to start giving these away or we are going to clog our arteries! Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful. Big hugs friend.
Great Ideas! Can’t wait to try some!
Author
Feel free to stop by with some HOMEMADE bread or biscuits, pick you pleasure and I’ll spread it on nice and thick! Or you’ll have to wait until I’m invited over for a party. 😉
Oh wow what a great idea! I always make gift baskets so a jar of flavored butter would be a nice addition. I use Enjoy Life Vegan butter and it tastes, bakes and cooks exactly like butter so I can easily convert these recipes for family members would food allergies. My son would love the jam butter. Now if I could just perfect those gluten free biscuits!
Thank you for joining the hop! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Author
I need to figure out those gluten free rolls and biscuits too for my daughter! So if you do, please let me know. 🙂 Glad you like the idea and that I could join in . There’s always so much inspiration in your hops! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Amber. Stay cozy!
oh Cindy, what a great idea, these look and sound scrumptious!! when I was a kid we always mixed honey and butter or sorghum for holidays, but the savory sounds delish. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Author
Thank you Debra. I just bought some molasses and think I’m going to try my hand at mixing some of that and some other spices too. Hmmm. Hope it turns out yummy too. Thanks for the visit today!
Cindy, this is an awesome idea! I love butter, and can’t wait to make these. Thanks so much for sharing this idea! I love it! I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!
Author
You’ll love them Shannon – I promise you! And if you give them away, they’ll love you too! Glad you hopped in today. Happy Thanksgiving.
Oh. My. Goodness! I’m totally doing this for Thanksgiving, Cindy! It’s going on the charcuterie board. I love me some good butta!
On our babymoon, we stayed at this little B&B in Asheville that had the most amazing flavored butters for breakfast. I still dream about those butters. What a creative gift idea, too!
Author
Maybe we should open up a flavored butter store?! With your babymoon memories of butter and my new found skills, we’d be famous! LOL!
We are going to our oldest daughters. I’ll be making one of these to take to her. Thanks for sharing, yum!!!
Hugs,
Jann
Author
Glad you found some inspiration today. I know she’ll just love it and let me know what y’all think! Enjoy your Thanksgiving.
Flavored butters have been a go to gift for me to prepare for friends and family for years! They are wonderful, aren’t they? I had a houseguest once ask if I had any of those “magic butters” to use on his bread! Happy Thanksgiving!
Author
Whaaaat?! That’s so fun! I want to be known as the hostess with the magic butter! Are you going to serve them again this year? What kind? Do you have any favorite flavors? Tell me, tell me! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Chloe!
I love making gifts for the holidays for my neighbors. This is perfect and so simple!!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Author
Thank you Christy. Simple is best. I’m excited to start making more and handing them out. All I have to do is come up with cute packaging and I’ll be the talk of the block! In a good way this time. 😉 Happy Thanksgiving!
What a great idea for a gift – as long as they are in town. That herbed Italian butter sounds so good on a nice warm piece of bread…
Author
It certainly does Angelina. I think my neighbors are going to love it! Thanks for the visit. Enjoy the rest of your week!
The perfect hostess gift that is sure to be remembered and duplicated. Brilliant Cindy! Pinning!
Author
Thanks Michelle. I’m still “spreading” the goodness around here! LOL. Thanks for the Pin too! 😁
Cindy, that’s truly a brilliant gift, and we always have Cajun Chicken Pasta as one of our main dishes on Christmas Eve, so the Italian butter would be awesome. My daughter’s taking the torch of hosting this year, which I’ve done the past 15 years, so maybe I’ll take some to her house that evening. Pinned, thanks!
Author
I think taking some to go with that yummy sounding pasta at Christmas would be awesome! I’m sure everyone there will love it too so you better make extras! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Rita.
Cindy, a genius idea! How about stopping by my house with a mason jar or two? I’d bee thrilled to receive such a great homemade gift. Yum!
Author
Awe, I’d totally do it Debbee if I lived close to you! Thank you for stopping by.
Cindy,
Flavored butter is bound to be a hostess pleaser. I can’t have the Italian version because I am allergic to garlic, but the red plum version sounds like a winner at my house.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family…
Judith
Author
Thank you Judith. There are tons of yummy recipes for the flavored butters on Pinterest. But I must say, the Red Plum is outstanding! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.
I love this idea, its personal and such a nice change from cookies or other sweets too. I’m happy to be hopping along with you.Pinned! Hugs
Author
I’m so glad you like them Katherine! I was hoping for something different but personal. Glad you stopped by today! Hope you have a great weekend.
Oh man, I was already drooling after perusing Laura’s pictures; now you’ve got me craving carbs with yummy fattening butter slathered all over it. Cuz you can ask my kids…momma likes her butter, and this looks divine! Thanks…a lot:) Happy Thanksgiving, friend1
Author
LOL Lora! This Momma likes her butta too! You should definitely make some. I had the RedPlum butter again yesterday and oh my golly I LOVE it! Hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving.
What a clever idea Cindy.
You are far better than me. When the kids were growing up and it was my night to cook the kids always begged to go out to dinner.
Author
LOL Carol! We also have Find It And Eat It Night. The hubs came up with that one when it was his turn. :/. Hope you are doing better!
I love this so much! I can’t wait to try it as a gift and for our own home! So yummy!
Author
Oh yay Kristin! I’m so glad you want to try it. I’m actually going to make some new ones this week. 😃. Let me know how you like them!
I love these Cindy! Definitely the perfect hostess gift. Congrats! You’re being featured tonight at Celebrate Your Story 🙂
Author
How exciting. Thank you!
Ooooh I love compound butters and make them every fall from my herb gardens….I’m going to try this Italian one, it sounds delicious!
Author
Yay! I have to say, I felt like quite the gourmet chef when I served the Italian butter with French bread. I bet your butters are fantastic! Thanks Debbie 🙂
Oh, how I loved this post! So glad you shared for Charming Homes & Gardens so I can move it up my to do list!
Author
Yay, so glad you liked it! Our neighbors and friends LOVED the gift. Enjoy the fame when you pass them out! LOL