Korean honey butter has become an extremely popular food trend over the last few years. But what exactly is this sweet and creamy concoction? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this tasty treat!
What is Korean Honey Butter?
Korean honey butter is a spread made by whipping together butter, honey, and sometimes other ingredients like cream cheese or condensed milk. The result is a light, airy butter that is sweet, creamy, and irresistibly spreadable.
While honey butter can be found in many cultures around the world, Korean honey butter stands out for its distinctly sweet flavor profile. It contains a higher ratio of honey to butter than other variations, resulting in a very thick, ultra-sweet spread.
The texture of Korean honey butter is also unique. It’s carefully whipped so that it becomes light and fluffy, almost like a buttercream frosting. This makes it perfect for spreading on breads, crackers, and other baked goods.
Typical Ingredients in Korean Honey Butter
There are a few key ingredients that go into making classic Korean honey butter:
- Butter – Usually unsalted butter is used to let the honey flavor shine through.
- Honey – A mild flavored honey, like acacia or clover, is commonly used.
- Sugar – A small amount of white sugar helps balance out the sweetness.
- Cream cheese or condensed milk – This helps make the butter extra creamy and smooth.
The ingredient amounts vary between recipes, but a classic Korean honey butter generally contains a higher ratio of honey to butter. This means the honey flavor really comes through strongly.
Butter
When making Korean honey butter, it’s important to use high-quality butter with a high fat content. Most recipes call for unsalted butter so that the flavor of the honey can really shine.
European-style butters with 82-86% fat work best. Lower fat butters may yield a greasy, oily texture.
Honey
The honey used in Korean honey butter is typically a light and mildly flavored variety. Acacia and clover honey are most commonly used. This allows the honey flavor to come through without overpowering other ingredients.
Darker honeys like wildflower or buckwheat have bolder, more pronounced flavors. They can easily overwhelm the butter flavor in a honey butter spread.
Sugar
A bit of white sugar, either granulated or caster, helps balance out some of the sweetness from the honey. It also helps create a smooth, silky texture.
The sugar amount is usually 1 to 2 tablespoons per 1 cup of butter. This only slightly sweetens the butter without making it cloying.
Cream Cheese or Condensed Milk
For extra richness and body, some recipes for Korean honey butter also incorporate cream cheese or condensed milk. This adds a creamy, silky element that makes the butter ultra-spreadable.
About 1-2 ounces of cream cheese or 1 tablespoon of condensed milk per cup of butter is usually plenty to achieve the right consistency.
The Origins of Korean Honey Butter
While versions of honey butter have existed across various cultures, Korean honey butter became particularly popular within South Korea in the early 2010s.
According to legend, the pastry chef Behind Claire introduced the concept after tasting honey butter abroad. They started serving it at their bakery in Seoul and it instantly became a massive hit.
From there, Korean honey butter exploded in popularity across the country. Bakeries began whipping up their own versions and it became a staple food item. It didn’t take long for Korean honey butter to go viral worldwide either!
How to Make Korean Honey Butter
Making your own Korean honey butter at home is relatively easy. The process simply involves creaming together butter and honey, then whipping it to reach the desired fluffy texture.
Here is an overview of the basic steps:
- Allow butter to soften at room temperature. Cut it into tablespoons.
- Add honey, sugar, and any cream cheese or condensed milk to a large mixing bowl.
- Beat the ingredients together using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
- Once combined, switch to the whisk attachment and whip on high speed for 5-10 minutes.
- Whip until the butter becomes light and fluffy with a smooth, creamy texture.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate before using.
The longer you whip the honey butter, the lighter and fluffier it will become. Be sure not to over-whip, however, or it can become greasy.
Tips for Making Korean Honey Butter
Follow these tips for making perfect Korean honey butter every time:
- Use room temperature, high-fat butter. Cold butter will not whip properly.
- Avoid overheating the butter when creaming. Keep the mixing bowl in the refrigerator if needed.
- Add the honey slowly to avoid splattering. Stream it in while mixing on low speed.
- If your honey butter won’t whip up, try adding an extra tablespoon of cream cheese or condensed milk.
- Store the honey butter in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
How to Use Korean Honey Butter
Once you’ve whipped up a batch of Korean honey butter, there are so many ways to enjoy it! Here are some of the most popular uses for this sweet spread:
On Bread
Slather Korean honey butter over toast, muffins, biscuits, scones, pancakes, waffles, or any other baked good. It’s a delicious topping that adds a hit of sweetness.
In Pastries
Fill pastries like croissants, danishes, palmiers, or crepes with a dollop of Korean honey butter for added decadence.
With Fruit
Serve Korean honey butter alongside fresh fruit like apples, pears, bananas, or strawberries for dipping.
On Crackers
Top crackers like graham crackers or saltines with Korean honey butter for a sweet and salty snack.
In Baked Goods
Incorporate a dollop of Korean honey butter into cookie batter, cake frosting, or bread dough for extra moisture and flavor.
In Drinks
Add a swirl of Korean honey butter to coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milkshakes, or smoothies for a touch of sweetness.
Pairings for Korean Honey Butter
Korean honey butter pairs delightfully with a wide variety of flavors. Here are some of the most complementary pairings:
Salty Foods
The sweet honey butter beautifully offsets salty foods like crackers, pretzels, potato chips, and savory baked goods.
Fruit
Fresh fruit is always a perfect match for this sweet spread. Berries, bananas, stone fruits, apples, pears, citrus, and melons taste fantastic with honey butter.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, and pistachios complement the flavor of honey butter nicely. Toasted sesame seeds or pumpkin seeds also make a tasty pairing.
Cheese
The sweet and salty combination works perfectly with cheeses like ricotta, goat cheese, brie, camembert, feta, or mascarpone.
Chocolate
For an indulgent treat, try pairing honey butter with chocolate in forms like chocolate croissants, chocolate drizzle, or even chocolate fondue for dipping.
Coffee and Tea
Honey butter lends itself well to coffee and tea. Add a dollop to complement the bitterness.
| Food | Why it Pairs Well |
|---|---|
| Salty crackers | Offsets the saltiness with sweetness |
| Fresh fruit | Enhances the natural sweetness |
| Nuts | Provides crunch and richness |
| Cheese | Balances sweet and savory |
| Chocolate | Brings out chocolate’s richness |
| Coffee/tea | Tempers bitterness with sweet creaminess |
Health Benefits of Korean Honey Butter
While it is a sweet indulgence, Korean honey butter does have some health benefits when consumed in moderation. These stem from its two main ingredients:
Honey
- Contains antioxidants that support immune health
- Natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties
- Provides small amounts of nutrients like calcium, potassium, and vitamin C
Butter
- Rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K
- Contains beneficial fatty acids and cholesterol
- Source of bone-supporting phosphorus
When choosing high-quality ingredients, Korean honey butter can be part of a healthy balanced diet. Just be mindful of portion sizes as it is calorie-dense.
Storing and Handling Korean Honey Butter
To get the most out of your Korean honey butter, proper storage is key. Here are some tips:
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- If separating into multiple containers, press plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing.
- If butter becomes too firm, leave it out at room temperature briefly to soften before using.
- Avoid extended heat exposure or the delicate texture will break down.
- Do not freeze, as this will cause the honey butter to weep and separate upon thawing.
With proper handling, your homemade Korean honey butter will retain its light, spreadable texture. Be sure to enjoy it fresh for the best flavor.
Popular Brands of Korean Honey Butter
While making your own is simple, store-bought Korean honey butter is also widely available. Some popular brands include:
Seoul Milk
This Korean brand helped popularize honey butter locally. They use fresh cream and locust honey.
Behind Claire
The bakery that legend credits with inventing Korean honey butter. They now sell it pre-packaged.
Organic Valley
An American brand that makes an organic version using wildflower honey.
NutriFluff
NutriFluff’s honey butter contains collagen peptides and MCT oil for extra nutrition.
Nature’s Charm
This brand has a variety of flavored honey butters beyond original, like chocolate, Earl Grey, and cinnamon.
When purchasing, be sure to check the ingredients for additives. The best quality products contain just honey, butter, and minimal other ingredients.
Similar Spreads to Korean Honey Butter
If you love Korean honey butter, there are some other sweet spreads that make good alternatives:
Maple Butter
This spread swaps maple syrup in place of the honey for an earthy, maple flavor.
Cookie Butter
Cookie butter blends ground cookies into creamy butter for ultimate nostalgia.
Apple Butter
Pureed apples slowly simmered down make this gingery, appley spread.
Pumpkin Butter
Pumpkin puree and fall spices create a seasonal sweet spread.
Almond Butter
For a nutty twist, look for almond butter mixed with a touch of honey.
While not exactly the same as Korean honey butter, these all provide the same luscious, creamy satisfaction perfect for spreading on snacks and treats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Korean honey butter made of?
Korean honey butter is made by creaming together butter, honey, and sometimes extras like cream cheese, condensed milk, or sugar. It gets its signature fluffy texture from high-speed whipping.
Is Korean honey butter healthy?
In moderation, Korean honey butter can be part of healthy diet thanks to immune-boosting antioxidants from honey and vitamins from the butter. But it is still high in calories, so small portions are best.
How do you use Korean honey butter?
Korean honey butter is very versatile! It can be used as a spread, in baking, with fruit, stirred into drinks, and more. Get creative with your favorite baked goods and snacks.
Does Korean honey butter need to be refrigerated?
Yes, Korean honey butter should always be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage and maintain its spreadable texture. It will keep for up to 2 weeks chilled.
What is the difference between regular honey butter and Korean honey butter?
Korean honey butter uses a higher ratio of honey to butter for intense sweetness. It’s also whipped longer to achieve a lighter, fluffier texture than regular honey butter.
Conclusion
With its irresistibly creamy texture and honey sweetness, it’s easy to see why Korean honey butter has become such a phenomenon. This simple yet delicious spread is endlessly versatile, perfect for topping baked goods, fruit, snacks, and more.
Homemade Korean honey butter is simple to whip up with just a few ingredients. Look for quality butter and honey, then beat the mixture thoroughly to achieve the signature fluffy texture.
Korean honey butter is definitely a treat, but can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet in moderation. Savor it as a special snack or dessert. With its crave-worthy flavor, a little goes a long way!