Orange honey butter uses orange zest and honey to create an incredible compound butter. It is the finishing touch that’s been missing on your pancakes, breads, and baked goods!

Orange honey butter on a knife and in a small jar.

Adding just 2 simple ingredients to your everyday butter is an easy way to add a little something special to your table. This spectacular orange honey butter is an effortless way to jazz up any plain piece of bread or add to an already fantastic dessert or baked good. When packed in an adorable jar, it’s also a great gift idea for a friend!

We love adding it to classics like sweet cream pancakes, cinnamon pancakes, and the ultimate Dutch baby pancake!

Table of Contents hide
  1. About this orange honey butter
  2. What you need
  3. How to make this compound butter
  4. FAQ
  5. How to make this sweet and citrus butter your own
  6. Storage Suggestions
  7. More pancake toppings
  8. Get the Recipe: Orange Honey Butter

About this orange honey butter

This beautiful compound butter is infused with orange zest and honey, giving it subtle hints of sweetness and citrus! It’s a hidden gem type of recipe and after you try it, you’ll be thinking, “How did I not know about this before?”

Orange honey whipped butter is a recipe that will change your life! Adding butter to warm toast, muffins, quick bread, waffles, and pancakes is already the gold standard, but adding delicious honey and orange flavors will make you feel like a gourmet chef.

Imagine orange honey butter spread on a piece of cornbread. Delicious!

Orange zest has natural oils in it, and those oils permeate the butter, allowing the citrus flavor to get into every bite. The sweet honey pairs so well with the orange flavor much the same way orange and maple syrup pair well in this orange buttermilk and orange maple syrup recipe.

It’s an easy way to elevate something so seemingly simple. Butter! Having a little dish of this specialty on your table during the holidays would impress anyone. Whether for brunch, lunch, or dinner, you’ll find endless ways to use it! Try adding it to your next pancake board!

Orange butter melting on a piece of cornbread.

What you need

  • Unsalted Butter – You’ll want to make sure to take the butter out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before using, depending on how warm your kitchen is. Using soft butter is the only way to whip the butter into a creamy consistency.
  • Orange Zest – All you’ll need is 1 large orange. Do not add any of the juice, you just want the zest.
  • Honey – Any type of honey will work in this recipe. Raw honey tends to be a bit more solid at room temperature, but either will work.
Overhead view of ingredients needed for recipe

How to make this compound butter

Grab a pen and paper you’re going to want to write this down.

Just kidding.

Blend ingredients together using a fork or an electric mixer.

That’s it. You’re done!

Compound butter before and after mixing.

FAQ

Should honey butter be refrigerated?

Yes, to maintain freshness and optimal flavor and texture, honey butter should be kept in the fridge. For easy spreading, bring it to room temperature before serving.

How can you use orange honey butter?

For some southern inspiration slather your cornbread with this sweet citrus butter and serve on the side of a hearty bowl of chili! Enjoy it on a piece of warm toast, pancakes, waffles, or crepes. A basket of freshly baked blueberry muffins or pumpkin bread could also use flavored butter. The options are endless.

How to make this sweet and citrus butter your own

  • Sprinkle in some cinnamon for yet another layer of flavor. Orange and honey is a year-round combination but the addition of cinnamon brings it to a festive holiday level, just like this maple cinnamon butter. It’s great on a Christmas brunch board!
  • Swap the orange zest for lemon zest for honey lemon butter. Try it with lemon ricotta pancakes.
  • Enjoy this butter with a stack of baklava pancakes.
  • Use the orange zest and honey to infuse some brown butter!
  • Toast pecans, walnuts, or almonds for the holidays and drizzle them with this delicious orange honey butter.
Orange honey butter on cornbread, more in background.

Storage Suggestions

Keep stored in the fridge. If you have it in a little ramekin or bowl, just cover it with some plastic wrap. Otherwise, a butter dish with a lid works too.

More pancake toppings

Orange honey butter in a small jar and on a knife.

Get the Recipe: Orange Honey Butter

Orange honey butter uses orange zest and honey to create an incredible compound butter. It is the finishing touch that’s been missing on your pancakes, breads, and baked goods!
4.75 from 4 rating
Print Pin Rate
Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Calories: 118kcal
Author: Rachel Gurk

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
  • 1-2 teaspoons orange zest (from about 1 large orange)
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

  • Blend ingredients together using fork or a electric mixer.
  • Store in the fridge but soften before use.

Notes

  • A few serving suggestions: On cornbread, warm toast, blueberry muffins or pumpkin bread.
  • Keep stored in the fridge. If you have it in a little ramekin or bowl, just cover it with some plastic wrap. Otherwise, a butter dish with a lid works too. Let come to room temperature before serving.
Serving: 1tablespoon, Calories: 118kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 91mg, Potassium: 7mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 356IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 4mg, Iron: 1mg