How to make your own flavoured butter (and save money)
It may be one of the priciest items in my fridge but proper butter is one ingredient I'd never be without. What joy would there be in a fluffy jacket potato were it not for the knob of melting gold? And as evidenced by the influx of highly enticing flavoured butters appearing both on the supermarket shelves and on my TikTok feed, I know I'm far from the only butter lover out there.
So popular is the current 'buttertok' trend that social media star chef Thomas Straker, creator of salt and vinegar crisp butter among many others, now has his own eye-catchingly packaged range – including Cinnamon Bun (£2.85 for 115g; £2.48 per 100g, at Sainsbury's) – on the shelves at major supermarkets.
Waitrose has reported a huge surge in sales of flavoured butters; especially its excellent-value frozen Garlic & Herb Butter (£3.50 for 200g; £1.75 per 100g), sales of which are up an incredible 569 per cent compared to this time last year. Meanwhile, M&S has introduced a top-tier flavoured butter line including smoked paprika and chilli (£2.75 for 100g) and a truly delicious Parmigiano Reggiano & Truffle butter – though at £3.75 for 100g, it's one to keep for special occasions.
But with the price of butter already at a premium, is it worth shelling out even more for flavoured versions? I certainly see the appeal: their ability to instantly add a touch of magic to the most basic of foods, from an ear of corn to a simple seared steak or thick slice of toast, makes them worth keeping close to hand, especially when you're short on time and desire an easy flavour boost for dinner.
But why splash the cash when they're so easy and, in most cases, much cheaper to make at home? Supermarket own-label British butter is currently priced around 80-90p per 100g and the additional ingredients can cost from just a few pence upwards depending on what flavours you go for.
With savings to be made and a medley of flavours to experiment with, homemade flavoured butter is win-win. If you've got your own favourite blends, do share them with me in the comments below the article. If not, here's a quick guide and six delicious ideas to get you started.
Skip to:
The butter
Straightforward supermarket own-label butter is perfect for flavouring. Choose unsalted as this provides the best flavourless base with which to work; salt can later be added to taste depending on the ingredients you add. Take it out of the fridge at least two hours before you use it so it's soft enough to blend in the flavours easily. If the butter is still a little firm, give it a quick beat with a wooden spoon or whisk until it's spreadable. Avoid types that spread straight from the fridge as you want the butter to set firmly once you've added your flavours.
Back to index
The flavours
There are no limits here and you can go sweet or savoury, but plump for ingredients that pack a punch rather than mild-tasting additions which need to be used in large amounts to carry through. This is particularly important when adding liquids – you don't want to over-soften the final texture too much, so use a small amount of strong espresso or dark maple syrup, for example, rather than a delicate, golden style. Taste and adjust the finished butter to balance the flavours in the same way you would if making a dressing (or a cocktail for that matter), adding more sweetness, salt or some acidity, as needed.
Back to index
How to blend
It's simply a case of mixing together room-temperature butter with your favourite flavourings. While a bowl and wooden spoon will suffice, an electric whisk or food processor (as I've used in the recipes below) will take the effort out of blending the ingredients together. Though if you do choose to beat the mixture by hand, any unevenly blended butter with visible marbling is still very attractive when sliced into discs or scooped into.
Back to index
How to store
To maximise freshness and minimise odour transference (butter easily absorbs pungent smells), it's important to keep your flavoured butter chilled and airtight. Either pack it into a sealed container or wrap in greaseproof paper, rolling it to form a tight cylinder. Twist the ends then, ideally, place in a food bag for extra protection. Slice off discs from the log when ready to use, or spread or scoop directly from your container.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out
A SUPER saver decorated her patio for an alfresco lunch gathering for £100 from B&M. From dinner plates to bug-repelling candles, Aimee shared her impressive haul with her 29.6k Instagram followers. 5 5 The lifestyle influencer, who lives in Wiltshire with her partner Sean, said she wanted to create the perfect space for entertaining guests. Sharing a video of her summery accessories on @thecountryreno, she wrote: "This year is the year of our garden, after 18 months living here we are now ready to start making her ready for guests and entertaining, BBQs and sundowners. "Our table was a Facebook marketplace bargain last year for £100 too, and now I'm headed to B&M with £100 to see if I could make something beautiful." She bagged herself an adorable lemon jug for just £3 after it was on sale from £5 and pretty farmhouse-style plant pots from £3. "£100 feels like a lot of money but these days would barely get you a seat cushion in some shops but I knew that B&M would have some bargains and they did not disappoint!! "I was surprised to see so many things on offer too - especially that lemon jug." To keep pesky insects away for those late-night tipples, she found citronella torches on bamboo spikes to give a feeling of being on a tropical island. The candle and holders are just £4. Aimee also jumped on the faux flower trend, which she joked meant she couldn't kill them. They vary in price, but range from £2 to £8. B&M launches their children's outdoor range which is perfect for summer - there's a £2 bargain that'll easily keep the kids entertained She found hanging baskets filled with colourful and realistic plastic flowers, which she added to an outhouse wall. Followers flocked to praise her haul, with one writing: "Such good finds! That lemon jug! "You did a brilliant job finding this all and styling it beautifully together." "Great bargains and looks lovely," echoed a second. "Impressive job the wall hanging baskets look lovely in that position too x" said a third. Remember that some products are limited to selected stores, so always check with your local shop before wasting a trip. How to save money at B&M Shoppers have saved hundreds of pounds a year by using B&M's scanner app. The scanner lets you see if an item's price is cheaper than advertised on the shop floor label. Products that are typically discounted are seasonal items and old stock that B&M is trying to shift. The app is free to download off the B&M Stores mobile app via Google Play or the Apple App Store. According to one ex-B&M manager, you'll want to visit your local branch at 10am on a Wednesday too. Here's how you can join the B&M bargain hunt: Download the B&M app for free on any smartphone with an App Store or Google Play. Once you've installed it on your device, click on the option labelled "more" on the bottom, right-hand side of the app home page. You'll then find an option that says "barcode scanner". Click on this and you'll open a camera screen. Use the camera to hover over the barcode of the product you wish to check. If the price comes up as lower, take it to the cash desk and it will automatically scan at the lower price. You don't need to sign up to the B&M app to use the barcode scanner. If, like Aimee, you want to transform your garden space as the weather warms up, B&M has you covered. One product guaranteed to make your backyard the envy of your neighbours is the Stained Glass Hanging Decoration. The purse-friendly buy comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns from stunning floral designs to captivating mandala patterns. Priced at just £4 each, these beautiful hanging decorations will revamp your garden, without you having to break the bank. Plus, when the sunlight catches on the stained glass, it will create a spectacular glow which will transform your garden into a paradise. B&M said: "This unique Stained Glass Hanging Decoration will add a touch of colour and beauty to your garden. "Perfect for hanging in your garden and adding to your outdoor decor." Another product guaranteed to give your garden a glow-up, is the Flower Solar Light. The bargain buy comes in a variety of different colours, including yellow and pink, so is guaranteed to inject your garden with a stunning splash of colour. It features an adorable flower design, with a sweet bee perched on top of it, which is bound to make you smile every time you sit in the garden.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out
SUMMER LOVING I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SUPER saver decorated her patio for an alfresco lunch gathering for £100 from B&M. From dinner plates to bug-repelling candles, Aimee shared her impressive haul with her 29.6k Instagram followers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Aimee treated herself to a selection of faux flowers to add a splash of colour Credit: Instagram / @bm_stores 5 She used her bargain finds to decorate her patio space Credit: Instagram / @bm_stores The lifestyle influencer, who lives in Wiltshire with her partner Sean, said she wanted to create the perfect space for entertaining guests. Sharing a video of her summery accessories on @thecountryreno, she wrote: "This year is the year of our garden, after 18 months living here we are now ready to start making her ready for guests and entertaining, BBQs and sundowners. "Our table was a Facebook marketplace bargain last year for £100 too, and now I'm headed to B&M with £100 to see if I could make something beautiful." She bagged herself an adorable lemon jug for just £3 after it was on sale from £5 and pretty farmhouse-style plant pots from £3. "£100 feels like a lot of money but these days would barely get you a seat cushion in some shops but I knew that B&M would have some bargains and they did not disappoint!! "I was surprised to see so many things on offer too - especially that lemon jug." To keep pesky insects away for those late-night tipples, she found citronella torches on bamboo spikes to give a feeling of being on a tropical island. The candle and holders are just £4. Aimee also jumped on the faux flower trend, which she joked meant she couldn't kill them. They vary in price, but range from £2 to £8. B&M launches their children's outdoor range which is perfect for summer - there's a £2 bargain that'll easily keep the kids entertained She found hanging baskets filled with colourful and realistic plastic flowers, which she added to an outhouse wall. Followers flocked to praise her haul, with one writing: "Such good finds! That lemon jug! "You did a brilliant job finding this all and styling it beautifully together." "Great bargains and looks lovely," echoed a second. "Impressive job the wall hanging baskets look lovely in that position too x" said a third. Remember that some products are limited to selected stores, so always check with your local shop before wasting a trip. How to save money at B&M Shoppers have saved hundreds of pounds a year by using B&M's scanner app. The scanner lets you see if an item's price is cheaper than advertised on the shop floor label. Products that are typically discounted are seasonal items and old stock that B&M is trying to shift. The app is free to download off the B&M Stores mobile app via Google Play or the Apple App Store. According to one ex-B&M manager, you'll want to visit your local branch at 10am on a Wednesday too. Here's how you can join the B&M bargain hunt: Download the B&M app for free on any smartphone with an App Store or Google Play. Once you've installed it on your device, click on the option labelled "more" on the bottom, right-hand side of the app home page. You'll then find an option that says "barcode scanner". Click on this and you'll open a camera screen. Use the camera to hover over the barcode of the product you wish to check. If the price comes up as lower, take it to the cash desk and it will automatically scan at the lower price. You don't need to sign up to the B&M app to use the barcode scanner. If, like Aimee, you want to transform your garden space as the weather warms up, B&M has you covered. One product guaranteed to make your backyard the envy of your neighbours is the Stained Glass Hanging Decoration. The purse-friendly buy comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns from stunning floral designs to captivating mandala patterns. Priced at just £4 each, these beautiful hanging decorations will revamp your garden, without you having to break the bank. Plus, when the sunlight catches on the stained glass, it will create a spectacular glow which will transform your garden into a paradise. B&M said: "This unique Stained Glass Hanging Decoration will add a touch of colour and beauty to your garden. "Perfect for hanging in your garden and adding to your outdoor decor." Another product guaranteed to give your garden a glow-up, is the Flower Solar Light. The bargain buy comes in a variety of different colours, including yellow and pink, so is guaranteed to inject your garden with a stunning splash of colour. It features an adorable flower design, with a sweet bee perched on top of it, which is bound to make you smile every time you sit in the garden. 5 Heritage Gardening Hook Plant Pot is just £3 Credit: B&M 5 This lemon Jug is on sale for just £3 Credit: BM
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island has a type! From Tommy Fury to Ovie Soko - the sporting hopefuls who have appeared on hit TV show as 'The Surrey Zidane' prepares for the villa
Throughout the years, Love Island's producers have often scoured the country for sport stars who might be looking for a brief career change. From the football pitches to the basketball courts - and even to the dressage centres - there have been a wide array of talented sports stars who have gone on the show. The most notable, no doubt, is boxer Tommy Fury - but there could soon be new names that look to rival his title with the latest cast for the new season just announced. Among the new faces is a football star being dubbed 'The Surrey Zidane' - a reference to legendary France and Real Madrid star Zinedine. Meanwhile there's also a star who plays football semi-professionally alongside his job as a personal trainer that's looking to make a big impact on the TV screen. Ahead of the new season beginning, Mail Sport takes a look at the sport stars who have taken the plunge on Love Island. Tommy Fury It only seems right to start with the biggest name, in regards to sporting ventures, that has stepped foot onto the reality TV show. Tommy Fury - who is now synonymous with partner Molly-Mae Hague - is also the half-brother of legendary boxer Tyson Fury and has carved his own path in the ring since rising to fame on the show. The 26-year-old boasts an 11-0 record inside the squared circle and has wins over the likes of internet personalities Jake Paul and KSI on his resume. The Mancunian boxer entered the dating show back in 2019, where he and Molly-Mae fell for each other in front of the nation. They welcomed daughter Bambi in January 2023, before getting engaged just a few months later. But fans were shocked when Molly announced on Instagram last August that she and Tommy had split up after five years, with many suspecting he had been unfaithful. However, after months of rumours they'd rekindled their romance, the pair finally went Instagram official last month with a loved-up family snap. Fury boasts an 11-0 boxing record and is the half-brother of British legend Tyson Fury Podcast All episodes Play on Apple Spotify Ovie Soko Up next is the only basketball star to make the list and it's none other than London Lions star Ovie Soko. The reality star first appeared on the hit ITV show in 2019 where he finished third place with India Reynolds before splitting just a few months later. Prior to the dating show, Ovie was a professional basketball player for the Lions but took a break from his ventures on the court in order to delve into the life of an influencer. He recently made a return to action for the Lions during the 2024-25 season but was unable to secure the league title - with the Leicester Riders instead claiming the silverware. Gemma Owen Gemma Owen, 19-year-old daughter of football icon Michael Owen, lit up Love Island 2022 as the youngest contestant on the series. The Cheshire dressage star, who competed for Britain in 2021, kept her famous surname quiet at first. Coupling up with Liam Llewellyn, then Davide Sanclimenti and ex Jacques O'Neill, she found love with Luca Bish, finishing as runners-up. Their romance ended by November 2022, with Gemma calling it 'mutual' despite Luca's 'blindsided' claims. Critics questioned her older pairings and Luca's behaviour, but Gemma's poise won fans. Despite Michael's initial Love Island doubts, he's backed her equestrian and OG Beachwear ventures, with the tight-knit Owen family cheering her on as she shines as a PrettyLittleThing ambassador. Harry Cooksley Earlier this week, Love Island confirmed the full line-up of contestants joining the upcoming series as the new villa-mates were announced ahead of the 12th series. Among them is Harry Cooksley, 29, a midfielder for Southern League Premier South side Farnham Town who has been dubbed the 'The Surrey Zidane'. As well as his talent on the field, Cooksley also works as a gold trader and model. But more interestingly, his pastimes include being a body double for Declan Rice. 'So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me,' said Cooksley. 'You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing.' Aaron Simpson Season seven islander Aaron Simpson became a free agent in 2024 after helping Salisbury gain promotion in that season. The 27-year-old's footballing journey began in 2017, with the footballer, who hails from Kent, joining the Wolves academy. He'd go on to enjoy spells with some established clubs, including Portsmouth, Kilmarnock and Sutton United - while also making 35 appearances in Premier League 2. Sadly, Simpson's time in the Villa lasted for only a matter of days, with Simpson being dumped out after just 10 days. Tyrique Hyde Having began his footballing career back in 2016 with Dagenham and Redbridge U18, Hyde would go on to play for several clubs around the National League, including Colchester, Dartford and Dulwich Hamlet. He would join Lewes in 2022, but became the first of two Lewes players to put a pause on their playing career to join up with the television show. He'd couple up with Ella Thomas, with the pair coming third in Series 10. After the series, he'd get straight back to where he left off, joining up with Faversham Town and was also spotted earlier in May battling against Danny Dyer in the Sellebrity Soccer match at West Ham United. Toby Aromolaran One of the show's most recognisable figures, Aromolaran made headlines for his relationship with Chloe Burrows. Sadly they are no longer together after the pair were crowned runners-up in Season Seven. He would later return for Love Island: All Stars earlier in 2024, where he would couple up with fellow former contestant Georgia Steel. They left the villa as a couple but are sadly no longer together, with Aromolaran calling it a day. Meanwhile, Aromolaran has returned to playing football, having previously enjoyed a successful career playing in the non-league. Before first taking part in Love Island in 2021, he played in the Isthmian League. He began his career back in 2016 while playing for Tilbury, making a goalscoring debut against his former side Thurrock. The forward would go on to score 15 times across 82 appearances before leaving in 2018 to join Loughborough University. He'd subsequently play for Basildon United, Cheshunt, Witham Town, Tilbury again and Coalville Town. On July 31 2020, he'd join up with YouTube side Hashtag United prior to going into the villa, and has continued to play for the side since returning to the UK and has scored 18 goals in 74 appearances for the club. Ronnie Vint Vint entered the villa last year and appeared to catch the eyes of more than one lady inside the villa. The defender, 27, began his career playing for Dartford, and has since gone on to enjoy several loan spells with Dulwich Hamlet. In 2023, he joined Sussex side Lewes, but had to put a pause on playing for the club to appear on the reality show. He is also the second player to leave Lewes to go on the show after Hyde. Gallery from @DulwichHamletFC v St Albans City. A second half Ronnie Vint goal gives Dulwich the win. #DHFC #Dulwich #Hamlet #Tuscany #dulwichhamlet #football #NonLeague #footballphotography #sportsphotography — Keith Gillard (@KGtopsnapper) March 4, 2023 Michael Boateng Mike, a former semi-pro footballer, enjoyed two spells on Love Island, featuring in Series Six in 2020 as well as also featuring on the Love Island Games in 2023. In Series Six, he'd couple up with Priscilla Anyabu but would be dumped from the island on day 41 of the show. The footballer, who hails from London, Joined Sheffield United 's Academy in 2013, signing from non-league side Handsworth FC. Here he was team-mates with Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He would sign a scholarship at the Blades before being loaned out to Emley AFC. He was later released by the club. 'I have a few footballer friends from my football days,' he explained to the i Paper. 'Dominic Calvert-Lewin played with me at Sheffield United.' Finley Tapp The 2020 winter Love Island champion Tapp has enjoyed an excellent playing career, notably playing for both Football League side MK Dons and Oxford City in the National League South. Tapp began his playing career with the Dons before enjoying a brief spell on loan with Staines Town. He'd later join up with Oxford City, before taking a break from football to appear on Love Island. He'd go on to couple up with Paige Turley and the pair would go on to win the series. Following his success on the screen, he jumped back into football, joining up with National League North side Banbury United. Luke Trotman Trotman is one of few players to have played at international level on this list. He is also another player to have seemingly put a pause on their playing career to appear in the television show. The 26-year-old finished as a runner-up in Love Island Series Six alongside Siannise Fudge. Prior to that, the former right-back had previously played for Darlington in National League North. He had also enjoyed spells with Nuneaton, St Neots Town and had also been contracted to Luton Town, after rising through the club's academy. During the 2018-19 season, Trotman would be called up to play for England C, where he would feature in international games against Wales and Estonia. Despite having had a promising football career, playing 71 times in National League North, it appears he is yet to return to playing semi-pro football. He now appears to be dating Chelsea Menna (left) having been crowned Series six runner up in 2020 Scott van-der-Sluis The addition of Van der Sluis means we now have a goalkeeper, and could perhaps form a pretty good 11-a-side team out of the players included on this list. The shot stopper appeared in the most recent series of Love Island back in 2023. He'd also go on to appear in Series Five of Love Island USA but was dumped out of the villa on both occasions. Born in Wales, Van der Sluis is a boyhood Liverpool fan but signed for Manchester United when he was young and spent a year playing in the club's academy before also moving to Liverpool and Swansea. He'd graduate from the Swansea academy before going on to play for Merthyr Town, Runcorn, Bangor and the City of Liverpool. Dennon Lewis Having graduate from the Watford academy, Lewis would go on to play for Woking, Crawley, Falkirk and Boreham Wood. In fact, the right winger even has a rating of 63 on Fifa 18! Lewis has played across the National League, Scottish Championship and in League Two. Lewis appeared on Season Five, entering the villa mid-way through the series but was dumped only four days later. Tom Clare Macclesfield announced in March that their striker Tom Clare had returned to the club until the end of the season following his spell in the Love Island Villa. The 24-year-old started his playing career in Barnsley's youth academy before joining Bradford on a free transfer in 2019. He has gone on to play for Boston United, Buxton, Pontefract and Macclesfield. In fact, he was permitted by the club in 2023 to join up with the television show for Love Island Series Nine in 2023 mid-way through the season. He'd return again to take part in Love Island: All Stars in 2024 reaching the final with Molly Smith. The pair left the Villa a couple and are apparently still together, having posted several snaps of themselves on Instagram enjoying a trip to Dubai earlier this year. Mike Thalassitis Thalassitis, who appeared in Love Island Series Three tragically passed away in March 2019, aged 26. The series took place back in 2017, with Thalassitis entereing the villa on day 12. He'd couple up with Olivia Attwood before being dumped from the show. He would later return to couple up with Tyla Carr. Thalassitis was one of the most experienced footballers to have taken part in the show and boasted the most impressive cv of any baller to enter the villa. Thalassitis played for a wealth of clubs during his career, most notably making five appearances for Stevenage in League One. He'd also played for Hayes and Yeading and Cambridge United. He had been playing for Margate at the time he made his appearance in Love Island, and was given the backing to go back into the villa by the club's chairman, Alistair Bayliss.
