Maple Bacon Butter

This maple bacon butter takes regular meals to a whole new level with just a quick spread. The mix of sweet maple and salty bacon creates a taste explosion that makes everything better, from your morning toast to dinner veggies and juicy steaks.

I stumbled on this idea during a Sunday breakfast test, and now my kids ask for it on everything from corn to dinner bread. This sweet-savory combo has become our go-to trick when we want to wow guests at the table.

What You'll Need

• Unsalted butter: Go for good quality since it's your base. Make sure it's sitting at room temp so it mixes well.
• Crisp bacon: Grab thick cut for better taste and texture. Cook it extra crispy so it breaks up nicely.
• Pure maple syrup: Don't grab the fake stuff - real maple syrup makes all the difference here.
• Bacon grease: This makes the bacon flavor pop throughout the butter. Just save some when you're cooking your strips.

How To Make It

Cook your bacon right:

Fry bacon in a pan over medium heat until it's nice and crispy. This'll take about 8-10 minutes, and you'll want to flip it now and then. You need it crisp enough to break up easily but not burnt. Let it drain on paper towels and save 1 tablespoon of that tasty grease for later.

Break up the bacon:

After it cools down, chop it into tiny bits or just crumble it with your fingers. Smaller pieces will spread that bacon goodness more evenly through your butter.

Mix everything together:

Put your softened butter in a bowl. Throw in your bacon crumbles, that saved bacon grease, and the maple syrup. The soft butter is super important - cold butter just won't mix right.

Stir it up good:

Use a spoon and really beat that mixture until it's light and fluffy. You'll need about 3 minutes of good stirring. Make sure the maple syrup blends in completely with no separation.

Put it away:

Scoop your finished butter into a container with a lid or roll it into a log with plastic wrap. Cover it tight and stick it in the fridge. Give it at least 30 minutes to firm up before you use it.

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The bacon really makes this special. I found out by chance that keeping a tablespoon of the bacon grease adds an amazing richness that turns this butter from pretty good to totally unforgettable. My hubby now asks for this butter whenever we're having a special steak night.

Ways To Enjoy It

This fancy butter works great any time of day. For breakfast, try it melted over pancakes or waffles instead of regular butter and syrup. It makes your morning meal extra special with tons of flavor. At lunch, spread some on bread before making a grilled cheese sandwich. For dinner, nothing beats watching a pat of this butter slowly melt over a hot steak, baked potato, or just-cooked veggies. As it melts, it makes a rich sauce that makes plain side dishes taste amazing.

Mix It Up

While the basic recipe works great, you can always change things up. Want some heat? Add a tiny bit of cayenne or some finely chopped jalapeño. The spiciness works really well with the sweet maple. For holidays, mix in some cinnamon, nutmeg and finely chopped pecans. This makes a festive butter that's perfect for holiday rolls or sweet potatoes. If you like herbs, try adding some finely chopped fresh thyme or rosemary, which goes great with the bacon and tastes wonderful on meats.

Give It As A Gift

This butter makes a wonderful homemade present for friends and neighbors. To make it look nice, roll the butter into a log using parchment paper, twist the ends, and tie with string or ribbon. You can also put it in small pretty jars with labels. Don't forget to add some ideas for using it and how to store it. During the holidays, pair your maple bacon butter with some fresh baked goods or a small cutting board for a complete gift that anyone would love to get.

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This simple idea turns everyday meals into something special without much work. It's definitely one to keep!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I get crispy bacon for this dish?

Cook the bacon over medium heat in a pan until it's golden and crunchy. Let the extra grease drain off, then chop it into small pieces.

→ Is it okay to use salted butter?

Yep, you can! Just know that salty butter might make it taste different. Cut back on the bacon grease if needed to balance the flavor.

→ What's the best way to store it?

Place the butter into a sealed container and keep it chilled. It should last about seven days in the fridge.

→ Can I mix it with an electric mixer?

Definitely! Set the mixer on a low speed and blend everything until it's smooth and fluffy.

→ What foods go well with this butter?

Spread it on toast, pancakes, or waffles, or melt it over veggies or meat for extra flavor.