Christmas is full of get togethers and celebrations and we’re always looking for festive ways to serve up our favorite foods. This Christmas butter board Wreath is fun, easy and a bit different. Serve it up as an appetizer of keep it as a side dish for a dinner party.
Butter boards first gained popularity on Tiktok and there are some many fun varieties an clever ideas that make the perfect meal. Looking for more ideas for making butter boards? Check out:
Contents
What is a Butter Board?
A Butter Board is a trendy and visually appealing way to serve butter as a centerpiece for gatherings. It involves spreading softened butter over a wooden board (or other serving surfaces), which is then topped with a variety of flavorful garnishes. These toppings can include herbs, edible flowers, spices, honey, nuts, dried fruits, zest, and even crunchy elements like sea salt or seeds. The idea is for guests to scoop the butter and toppings with pieces of bread, crackers, or other dippable items, creating a shared, interactive experience.
To make a simple butter board, start by spreading softened, high-quality butter evenly across a wooden board or serving platter. Next, sprinkle your choice of toppings, such as flaky sea salt, freshly cracked pepper, and a drizzle of honey or olive oil. For added flavor and texture, consider garnishing with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, along with edible flowers, toasted nuts, or seeds. Serve with warm crusty bread, crackers, or fresh veggies for dipping. You can see exactly how I adapted these ideas for the holidays below with my Christmas butter board.
Ingredients for this Christmas Butter Board Wreath
In addition to making this board beautiful for the holidays, I also selected seasonal ingredients with some of our favorite holiday flavors. This board is a little salty with a touch of sweet.
You can easily add or adjust the ingredients for this Christmas butter board wreath, but here’s what I used for this board:
- Butter (softened)
- Cranberries (I used frozen berries but you could use fresh cranberries or cranberry jam/jelly)
- Pomegranate Seeds
- Orange Rind
- Herbs (you can use your favorite herbs, but I used thyme and Lavender)
- Salt
How to Assemble this Holiday Butter Board Wreath
Choose a small to medium sized board. If you want the bread to be served on the board, you’ll want a bigger board. I also like using a round board since this adds to the wreath shape.
Make sure you are working with softened butter. I actually prefer to whip the butter before spreading it, but you can also just spread it. Start by spreading the butter onto the board is a circle. You can use the back of a spoon or a knife to spread the butter and get the wreath shape. Depending on your preference, you can smooth the butter or leave ridges and shapes.
Once you butter is completely spread in a wreath shape, take your cranberries (if you are using frozen cranberries, thaw and soften them and then mash them up with a little sugar. Spread the cranberry mixture over the butter.
Once the cranberries are spread around the wreath, you can add the other ingredients. There is no specific order to add the ingredients, but you will want to sprinkle on orange rind, pomegranate seeds and your herbs. Save your springs of lavender or rosemary to form the top of the wreathe and end with some sprinkled salt. This adds a nice sweet and salty flavor to the entire board.
Serve the board with fresh sliced bread.
Tips for Serving a Butter Board
Keep It Cool: Serve the butter board immediately after preparing it to prevent the butter from melting. If you’re serving outdoors or in warm conditions, consider chilling the board briefly or using a marble or stone surface that stays cool.
Provide Dippables: Offer a variety of dipping options, such as sliced baguette, sourdough bread, crackers, or even fresh vegetables. Arrange them around the board or in nearby bowls to make it easy for guests to scoop up the butter and toppings.
Use Small Serving Utensils: Include small butter knives or spreaders so guests can scoop or spread the butter without making a mess. Place a few spreaders around the board to avoid overcrowding.
Position for Easy Access: Place the board in a central location where everyone can reach it. If it’s a larger gathering, consider making multiple smaller boards to ensure guests don’t have to wait to dig in.
Pair with Beverages: Complement the flavors of your butter board with drinks that enhance the experience. Wine, sparkling water, or light cocktails can balance the richness of the butter and toppings.
Christmas Butter Board Wreath Recipe
Christmas Wreath Butter Board
Equipment
- small or medium charcuterie board
Ingredients
- Butter softened
- Cranberries I used frozen berries but you could use fresh cranberries or cranberry jam/jelly
- Pomegranate Seeds
- Orange Rind
- Herbs you can use your favorite herbs, but I used thyme and Lavender
- Salt
- Bread
Instructions
- Spread softened butter in a circle on your board with spoon or knife
- Crush cranberries with a little sugar and spread it on the butter
- Add orange rind, pomegranate seeds, herbs, and salt on top of the butter
- Decorate with rosemary or lavender and orange rinds.
- Serve at room temperature
Looking for more ideas? Follow us on Pinterest.