As if we needed another reason to indulge in good old bread and butter…the viral butter board trend has taken the culinary world by storm, and what better way to celebrate this craze than by infusing it with the flavours of Cornwall?
Here we explore creative Cornish-inspired butter board ideas that showcase the region’s finest produce and pay homage to our rich culinary heritage. Get ready to tantalise your taste buds and impress your guests with these delightful grazing boards that bring a taste of Cornwall to your table.
Table of Contents
What is the Butter Board Trend?
A butter board is a serving platter or board artfully spread with softened butter and decorated with toppings like herbs, edible flowers, honey, sea salt and more. Cheaper to create than a charcuterie board, yet just as showstopping, butter boards are the delicious, ‘Instagrammable’ trend that is often credited to chef Justine Doiron, who shared a video of her creation on TikTok in 2022.
Not only do butter boards offer budding chefs the chance to get creative with all manner of delicious ingredients, but when served with bread or crackers they make a unique communal appetiser or party dish for sharing with friends and family.
Why Cornish Butter Makes the Perfect Base
Butter boards are an easy-to-make alternative to cheese boards and provide the perfect excuse to indulge in lashings of golden Cornish goodness. Cornish butter is renowned for its exceptionally rich, creamy taste due to the high-quality milk produced by cows grazing on Cornwall’s lush pastures. It typically has a higher butterfat content than standard butters, resulting in a smoother texture and more luxurious mouthfeel.
Cornish butter boasts a naturally golden hue indicative of its high beta-carotene content from grass-fed cows, making it the most visually appealing butter to use for the best butter board ideas. When brought to room temperature, Cornish butter spreads beautifully, making it ideal for creating smooth, artistic swirls on a board.
Essential Elements of a Butter Board
Ingredients:
- Butter: This of course is the star of the show. We’re not sure if it’s the luxuriously smooth texture, the buttercup yellow colour, the rich flavour or the fact that it’s churned using Cornish cream that makes it so special. But we do know that our butter is the best. Use our Cornish butter for the best flavour and texture (just make sure it is softened to room temperature for easy spreading).
- Board or serving platter: A wooden board is traditional, but any flat serving surface works as your canvas to bring to life any butter board idea of your choosing. Why not consider an elegant granite chopping board to celebrate Cornwall’s mining heritage?
- Spread knife or offset spatula: For artfully spreading the butter on the board. Create waves and peaks in the butter to represent the sea and tors for which Cornwall is famed.
- Salt: Flaky sea salt is often used to enhance flavour and add texture. For Cornish-inspired butter board ideas, we suggest using the best Cornish sea salt which is hand-harvested from the ocean waters west of the Tamar.
- Bread or crackers: For serving alongside the butter board choose freshly baked bread or crisp crackers for indulgent dipping.
How to Infuse Butter
For some of the butter board ideas below we have used infused butter. Whether using herbs, fruits or wild garlic foraged from the hedgerows, infusing butter is a delicious way to take your butter board to the next level and inject some extra flavour and creativity.
How to:
- Simply soften your Cornish butter in a bowl at room temperature
- Finely chop your herbs/ingredients into the butter, add a teaspoon of olive oil to help the herbs spread through the butter evenly, and mix well
- Swirl straight onto your butter board and enjoy
We doubt you will (!) but if you have any infused butter left, simply scoop the mixture into the centre of a piece of baking/parchment paper and roll it to make a long log shape. Secure both ends with a twist, and pop in the fridge to set.
5 Irresistible Cornish Butter Board Ideas
Part of the beauty of butter boards lies in their versatility. You can customise them based on personal preferences, the changing seasons, or any theme which suits the occasion. Here we share with you 5 Cornish-inspired butter board ideas to get the tastebuds tingling and inspire you to celebrate the very best of local…
1. The Classic Cornish Countryside
The Cornish countryside offers a rich tapestry of flavours that can beautifully enhance any table, and this butter board idea will look delicately beautiful too.
Ingredients:
- Trewithen unsalted Cornish butter infused with herbs
- Edible flowers
- Local honey
- Cornish sea salt
Prep Time:
10 minutes (more if you’re foraging for the flowers and herbs yourself!)
Method:
Use wild garlic or rosemary-infused butter topped with edible countryside flowers such as primroses (mild, sweet flavour), borage (star-shaped blue flowers with a mild cucumber taste), or nasturtiums (bright orange flowers with a peppery kick). Top with a generous swirl of local honey and a sprinkle of Cornish sea salt. Serve with freshly baked sourdough bread for a stunning and fragrant sharing platter to impress your guests.
2. Coastal Delight
Imagine a culinary creation that marries the rustic charm of Cornwall with the modern trend of butter boards, presenting a feast for both the eyes and the palate. This Cornish-inspired butter board features a luscious spread of creamy Cornish butter, adorned with delicate flakes of smoked fish that evoke the fresh, salty air of the Cornish coast.
Ingredients:
- Trewithen salted Cornish butter
- Smoked fish (we love mackerel) or smoked salmon
- Capers
- Lemon zest
Prep Time:
10-15 minutes
Method:
Generously swirl your softened salted Cornish butter onto a board. Don’t be shy, load it on nice and thick. Break up some locally-caught smoked mackerel and scatter over the butter board. Sprinkle capers across the butter board, followed by a grating of lemon zest to add zing and really bring out the flavours. Roast some lemon slices until they caramelise and lay across the top for a rustic which tastes divine. Serve with warm crusty bread for a delicious brunch or starter dish.
3. Hedgerow Harvest
The ‘Hedgerow Harvest’ butter board provides an homage to the bounty of nature’s untamed edges. This visually stunning butter board idea features a rich, creamy butter base adorned with an array of fresh, juicy berries, bringing bursts of sweetness and vibrant colour. To complement the berries and add bite, a smattering of crunchy nuts add texture and earthy depth. To complete this edible masterpiece, delicate flowers are scattered throughout, infusing a touch of whimsy to your hedgerow butter board.
Ingredients:
- Trewithen Cornish butter infused with elderflower
- Fresh berries (blackberry/sea buckthorn/wild cherries)
- Hazelnuts
- Dog rose petals
Prep Time:
10-15 minutes
Method:
Whirl lashing of elderflower-infused Cornish butter onto a board and top with a smattering of your chosen berries. Smash up some hazelnuts and sprinkle evenly across the top before finishing with delicate dog rose petals. Please remember to only take what you absolutely need (and only when there is a plentiful supply). Some edible flowers need to be cooked or dried before they can safely be eaten, so please check before using them for your butter board ideas!
4. Cornish Cream Tea-Inspired
The quintessential afternoon delight! This Cornish cream tea-inspired butter board idea features a velvety layer of rich, creamy butter topped with generous dollops of luscious strawberry jam, fresh British strawberries, all finished off with homemade scone crumbles. Is there anything so delicious?
Ingredients:
- Cornish butter (or Cornish clotted cream if you’re feeling extra decadent!)
- Fresh British strawberries or raspberries (or both)
- Plain scones (crumbled)
- Strawberry coulis and icing sugar to finish
Prep Time:
10-15 minutes if using bakery-bought scones, longer if you are making your own
Method:
This is a list of Cornish butter board ideas, not clotted cream board ideas, so we’ve used creamy butter here in this recipe. But if you’re feeling heroic you can of course use clotted cream instead of butter (you’re definitely worth it!).
Using a butter knife, generously spread your board with lashings of unsalted Cornish butter (or clotted cream). Cut your strawberries in half and scatter across the board. Then roughly crumble a scone over the top, taking care not to miss the corners and edges. Finally, whirl strawberry coulis and sprinkle some icing sugar all over the top to finish. Present alongside fresh white farmhouse bread and a cup of tea served in the best china.
5. Cornish Treasure – A Savoury Butter Board
This Cornish butter board presents a tempting blend of flavours and textures, bringing the essence of Cornish culinary treasures to your table. Cornish Yarg is a semi hard Cornish cheese wrapped in nettles with a beautifully mellow taste which leaves a rich tang on the tongue. Perfect for sharing, this savoury butter board offers a memorable taste experience that’s both sophisticated and rooted in tradition.
Ingredients:
- Salted Cornish butter
- Cornish yarg
- Homemade chutney
- Figs or slices of apple
Prep Time:
10-15 minutes (longer if you’re making your own chutney!)
Method:
Slather lashings of salted Cornish butter onto a granite slate or wooden board. Crumble up your Yarg and sprinkle over the top. Generously dollop spoonfuls of homemade chutney across your board, finishing with fresh figs or slices of apple. This savoury butter board is best served with rustic Cornish oat biscuits or your favourite Cornish cracker.
Tips for Serving and Presentation
Whilst butter boards are supremely easy to make, the presentation is vital to get that showstopping effect which makes a butter board such a crowd-pleaser. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the butter in an even layer across the board and create swirls or patterns in the butter for visual interest.
Place larger items like smoked fish flakes, cheese chunks, or scone crumbles first to create a foundation. Scatter smaller ingredients like capers, nuts, or edible flowers on top for a balanced look. Leave some empty spaces to avoid overcrowding and to let each element stand out.
Prepare the board close to serving time to ensure all ingredients are fresh and at their best. If needed, cover the board and refrigerate until ready to serve, especially if using perishable items.
Conclusion
Whether you’re savouring the salty, smoky notes of the Cornish coast, indulging in the sweet tradition of the Cornish Cream Tea, or exploring your own creative combinations, these butter board ideas are a testament to the endless possibilities of Cornish butter.
Experiment with local flavours and seasonal ingredients, transforming simple meals into gourmet experiences. So, gather your favourite Cornish treats, unleash your creativity, and craft a butter board that not only tantalises your taste buds but also honours the vibrant and diverse flavours of Cornwall. Go on, what are you waiting for?
FAQs
What is a butter board?
A butter board is a culinary creation where a layer of softened butter is spread across a serving board and topped with a variety of flavourful ingredients such as herbs, fruits, nuts, cheeses, meats, and more. It is designed for communal dining, allowing guests to spread the toppings on bread, crackers, or vegetables.
How do I make a Cornish-inspired butter board?
To make a Cornish-inspired butter board, start with a base of high-quality, slightly salted Cornish butter. Then, add a mix of traditional Cornish ingredients and arrange the ingredients artfully on the butter and serve with complimentary bread or crackers.
Is butter healthy?
Butter, including Cornish butter, can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. It is a natural source of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. However, because it is high in saturated fat and calories, it’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a staple.
Can I prepare a butter board in advance?
Yes, you can prepare a butter board in advance. Spread the butter and arrange the toppings, then cover the board and refrigerate until ready to serve. Add any delicate garnishes, like fresh herbs or edible flowers, just before serving to ensure they remain fresh.
What kind of bread or crackers should I serve with a butter board?
For a Cornish-inspired butter board, serve traditional Cornish oat biscuits, slices of Cornish saffron bread, or rustic sourdough bread. Choose options that complement the flavours of your toppings and provide a sturdy base for spreading the butter and ingredients.
How do I keep my butter board looking fresh during a gathering?
To keep your butter board looking fresh, avoid overcrowding the board, and use small bowls for ingredients that might wilt or dry out. Place the board in a cool area away from direct sunlight, and refresh any ingredients as needed throughout your gathering.
Are there vegetarian or vegan alternatives for a butter board?
Yes, you can create vegetarian butter boards using plant-based butters and a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and cheeses. For a vegan option, use vegan butter and toppings such as roasted vegetables, nuts, fruits, and vegan cheeses to craft a delicious and inclusive board.
