# Step Aside Butter Boards, the Butter Candle Has Arrived!
Butter candles are the newest sensation in gastronomy, merging the coziness of melted butter with the charm of candlelight. These charming innovations not only function as a distinctive centerpiece but also elevate the pleasure of savoring bread, steak, or any meal that pairs wonderfully with butter. If you adore warm butter and fresh bread, or if you appreciate the idea of butter boards, the butter candle is bound to captivate you.
## What Exactly is a Butter Candle?
A butter candle is just as it sounds: a candle crafted from butter. Featuring a food-safe wick that is ignited at the table, the butter gently melts, turning into a creamy, dip-able, or pourable treat. Although butter candles are typically enjoyed alongside bread, they can also complement a variety of dishes, including seafood, vegetables, meats, mashed potatoes, rice, and even popcorn. The options are limitless, and it’s hard to think of anything that wouldn’t taste better with butter!
## Who Came Up with the Butter Candle Idea?
Butter candles are a contemporary adaptation of traditional tallow candles, which have been utilized since Ancient Rome. Tallow candles, created from beef fat, have recently made a comeback in daring restaurants, often paired with steak. The idea of butter candles gained traction on platforms like TikTok, with creators such as Soozie the Foodie and SAMO demonstrating their unique interpretations of this delectable trend.
## How to Create a Butter Candle
There are two main methods for making a butter candle: hand pouring and hand shaping. Both approaches yield delightful results, but hand pouring is usually more straightforward and results in a more polished look.
### Hand Pouring a Butter Candle
1. **Melt the Butter:** Use a small pot over low heat or microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval.
2. **Craft the Wick:** Cut a piece of food-safe string and dip it into the melted butter to create a wick.
3. **Position the Wick in the Mold:** Tie the buttered string around a stick or chopstick and set it over your butter candle mold, ensuring it touches the bottom.
4. **Pour the Butter:** Gently pour the melted butter into the mold, centering the wick.
5. **Allow the Candle to Set:** Refrigerate until firm, for at least one hour.
6. **Light and Relish:** Remove the stick, trim the wick, ignite it, and enjoy the melted butter!
### Hand Shaping a Butter Candle
1. Begin with slightly softened butter. Leave it at room temperature for around 20 minutes.
2. Spread a piece of plastic wrap flat and position the stick of butter in the middle.
3. Flatten the butter with your hands or a rolling pin, placing a piece of kitchen string in the center for the wick.
4. Utilize the plastic wrap to roll and shape the butter into a candle form, then refrigerate to firm it up.
### Butter Candle Wicks
For both methods, a food-safe wick is crucial. Utilizing 100% cotton food-safe twine is suggested, as it can be located near the meat section in grocery stores. To prepare the wick, simply dip it in melted butter to improve its flame-holding capabilities.
### Butter Candle Molds
Your choice of mold will be guided by whether you want a free-standing candle or one that stays in a container. For a dippable candle, a shallow vessel like a ramekin works well. For a pourable candle, consider using a small cream pitcher or espresso pourer.
## Salted or Unsalted Butter?
While many opt for salted butter to accompany bread, unsalted butter can also be used, especially when complemented with flaky sea salt. Ultimately, the decision boils down to personal taste.
## Ideal Pairings with Butter Candles
Butter candles can enhance a diverse array of dishes. As a starting point, crusty breads are a timeless selection. At breakfast or brunch, think about pairing them with pancakes, waffles, or muffins. For dinner, melted butter amplifies the flavors of rice, noodles, vegetables, seafood, and meats. An herbed butter candle with steak frites is a classic combination.
## Flavoring Butter Candles
You can concoct a variety of flavored butter candles by blending in ingredients with your melted butter. Some favored options include:
– **Garlic Butter:** 1/2 cup butter plus 4 minced garlic cloves.
– **Herbed Butter:** 1/2 cup butter plus 2 tablespoons fresh herbs.
– **Jalapeño Butter:** 1/2 cup butter plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeño.
– **Paprika Butter:** 1/2 cup butter plus 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.
– **Shallot Butter:** 1/2 cup butter plus 2 tablespoons finely diced shallots.
– **Red Wine Butter:** 1/2 cup butter, 2 tablespoons red wine, and additional flavorings.
– **Lemon Butter:** 1/