Name: Deep-Fried Butter Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 8 h 40 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup light brown sugar; 1½ tsp ground cinnamon; 1½ cups cold butter; 1½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp baking powder; ¼ tsp salt; 1 cup buttermilk; 2 eggs; 2 tbsp white sugar; 4 cups Vegetable Oil; toothpicks; ¼ cup confectioners' sugar

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with deep-fried butter. This decadent treat combines the richness of butter with a sweet and spiced coating, then deep-fries it to golden perfection. Serve it as a unique dessert or a show-stopping party snack.

Photos of Deep-Fried Butter Recipe

When preparing this recipe, be aware that buttermilk and confectioners' sugar might not be common pantry staples. Buttermilk is often found in the dairy section, while confectioners' sugar (also known as powdered sugar) is usually in the baking aisle.

Ingredients For Deep-Fried Butter

Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.

Ground cinnamon: Provides warm, spicy notes to the coating.

Butter: The star of the dish, it melts into a creamy center.

All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the batter.

Baking powder: Helps the batter puff up when fried.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.

Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a smooth batter.

Eggs: Binds the batter ingredients together.

White sugar: Adds a touch of additional sweetness to the batter.

Vegetable oil: Used for deep-frying.

Toothpicks: Helps handle the butter pieces when dipping and frying.

Confectioners' sugar: Dusts the final product with a sweet finish.

One reader, Emelda Alonso says:

This deep-fried butter recipe is a decadent treat! The crispy exterior and the melt-in-your-mouth buttery center create an indulgent experience. Perfect for special occasions or a fun dessert, it's a unique twist that will impress your guests. Absolutely delicious!

Emelda Alonso

Techniques Required

How to whisk: Combine ingredients using a whisk to ensure they are evenly mixed. How to freeze: Place items in the freezer until they are solid. How to stir: Mix ingredients together using a spoon or spatula. How to beat: Use a mixer or whisk to combine ingredients until smooth. How to heat oil: Raise the temperature of oil in a deep-fryer or saucepan to the specified degree. How to poke with a toothpick: Insert a toothpick into the center of an item for handling or testing. How to dip: Submerge an item into a liquid or mixture to coat it completely. How to deep-fry: Cook food by submerging it in hot oil until it is golden brown and cooked through. How to transfer: Move items from one place to another, often using a utensil. How to dust with confectioners' sugar: Lightly sprinkle powdered sugar over an item for a finishing touch.

How To Make Deep-Fried Butter

Deep-fried butter made with butter dipped into cinnamon-sugar mixture and batter before cooked until golden brown and puffed. An overloaded butter treat.

Preparation: 30 minutes

Cooking: 10 minutes

Freeze Time: 8 hours

Total: 8 hours 40 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

½cuplight brown sugar
1½tspground cinnamon
1½cupscold butter,cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
1½cupsall-purpose flour,divide or more as needed
2tspground cinnamon
1tspbaking powder
¼tspsalt
1cupbuttermilk
2eggs
2tbspwhite sugar
4cupsvegetable oil,or as needed
toothpicks
¼cupconfectioners’ sugar,or as needed

Instructions

Whisk brown sugar and 1½ teaspoons of cinnamon together in a shallow bowl. Dip each piece of butter into a cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat completely.
Place butter pieces in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze until hard for 8 hours to overnight.
Stir 1 cup flour, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Beat buttermilk, eggs, and white sugar together in another bowl; add flour mixture to buttermilk mixture and beat until smooth.
Gradually stir remaining flour into buttermilk mixture until the desired batter consistency is reached.
Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Poke a toothpick into the center of each frozen piece of butter. Dip butter into the batter to coat completely.
Working in batches, carefully drop coated butter pieces into hot oil and cook, turning occasionally until golden brown and puffed for about 2 minutes.
Transfer fried butter to a paper-towel-lined plate and dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Nutrition

Calories: 981.61kcal
Fat: 98.71g
Saturated Fat: 19.80g
Trans Fat: 1.51g
Monounsaturated Fat: 60.05g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 13.84g
Carbohydrates: 24.18g
Fiber: 0.83g
Sugar: 11.47g
Protein: 3.47g
Cholesterol: 88.48mg
Sodium: 132.94mg
Calcium: 77.77mg
Potassium: 75.67mg
Iron: 1.02mg
Vitamin A: 208.52µg
Vitamin C: 0.23mg

Technique Tip for This Recipe

To ensure the butter pieces stay intact and don't melt too quickly when frying, make sure they are thoroughly frozen. Freezing them for at least 8 hours or overnight will help maintain their shape and prevent them from dissolving into the hot oil.

How To Save Time on This Recipe

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure and prepare all ingredients in advance to streamline the cooking process.

Freeze butter quickly: Use a freezer set to the coldest setting to harden the butter faster.

Use a stand mixer: Mix the batter using a stand mixer to save time and ensure a smooth consistency.

Batch frying: Fry multiple pieces of butter at once to reduce overall cooking time.

Preheat oil: Start heating the oil while preparing the batter to save time.

Organize workspace: Keep your workspace organized and clutter-free for efficient cooking.

Substitute Ingredients For Deep-Fried Butter Recipe

light brown sugar - Substitute with dark brown sugar: Dark brown sugar has a higher molasses content, which will provide a richer flavor and deeper color.
ground cinnamon - Substitute with ground nutmeg: Nutmeg has a warm, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the other ingredients similarly to cinnamon.
cold butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can mimic the texture and moisture content of butter, though it may slightly alter the flavor.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour adds a nutty flavor and more fiber, though it may make the batter denser.
ground cinnamon - Substitute with ground allspice: Allspice has a complex flavor that combines cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, making it a good alternative.
baking powder - Substitute with baking soda and cream of tartar: Use 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp cream of tartar for each tsp of baking powder needed.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a slightly different mineral flavor.
buttermilk - Substitute with milk and lemon juice: Mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tbsp of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes to mimic the acidity of buttermilk.
eggs - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water: Mix 1 tbsp flaxseed meal with 3 tbsp water per egg and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken.
white sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and moisture, though it may slightly alter the flavor and texture.
vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a similar smoke point and neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for frying.
toothpicks - Substitute with skewers: Skewers can serve the same purpose of holding the butter pieces together during frying.
confectioners' sugar - Substitute with granulated sugar: Blend granulated sugar in a blender until it reaches a powdery consistency to mimic confectioners' sugar.

Best Way to Present This Dish

Serve smaller portion sizes: Cut the butter into bite-sized pieces to ensure each serving is a delightful, manageable morsel.
Use decoration: Arrange the fried butter pieces on a pristine white plate, creating a visually appealing contrast. Garnish with a light dusting of confectioners' sugar and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for an elegant touch.
Add a dipping sauce: Accompany the dish with a small ramekin of maple syrup or honey for an extra layer of sweetness and a luxurious dipping experience.
Incorporate fresh elements: Add a few fresh mint leaves or a couple of berries on the side to introduce a pop of color and a refreshing contrast to the richness of the fried butter.
Use high-quality ingredients: Ensure the butter is of the highest quality, preferably European-style with a higher butterfat content, to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish.
Focus on texture: Ensure the batter is perfectly smooth and the oil is at the right temperature to achieve a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the butter inside perfectly melted and creamy.
Plate with precision: Use tweezers or small tongs to place each piece of fried butter precisely on the plate, maintaining a clean and sophisticated presentation.
Highlight the aroma: Serve the dish immediately after frying to ensure the warm, inviting aroma of cinnamon and sugar fills the air, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Best Tools for This Recipe

Shallow bowl: Used for mixing the brown sugar and cinnamon to coat the butter pieces.
Parchment paper: Lined on a baking sheet to place the butter pieces for freezing.
Baking sheet: Holds the butter pieces in a single layer while they freeze.
Mixing bowl: Used for combining the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
Another mixing bowl: Used for beating together the buttermilk, eggs, and white sugar.
Whisk: Helps to mix the brown sugar and cinnamon, and also to beat the buttermilk mixture.
Deep-fryer or large saucepan: Heats the oil to the required temperature for deep-frying.
Toothpicks: Used to poke into the frozen butter pieces for easy dipping into the batter.
Paper towels: Lined on a plate to absorb excess oil from the fried butter.
Plate: Holds the fried butter pieces after they are cooked.
Confectioners' sugar sifter: Dusts the fried butter with confectioners' sugar for a sweet finish.

Random Fact About This Recipe

A unique aspect of this deep-fried butter recipe is that it combines the rich, creamy texture of butter with a crispy, golden batter. This indulgent treat originated at state fairs in the United States, where inventive fried foods are a popular attraction.

Is This Recipe Economical for Home Cooking?

Creating deep-fried butter at home can be a fun yet indulgent treat. However, it's not the most cost-effective option. The ingredients, including butter, vegetable oil, and confectioners' sugar, can add up quickly. For a household of four, the approximate cost would be around $15-$20. Given the high calorie and fat content, it's more of a novelty than a staple. Overall Verdict: 4/10.

Healthy or Unhealthy?

This deep-fried butter recipe is undeniably indulgent but falls squarely into the unhealthy category. The primary ingredients—large amounts of butter and sugar—are high in saturated fats and sugars, contributing to heart disease and obesity. Deep-frying further adds to the calorie count and unhealthy fats, making it a poor choice for regular consumption.

Replace butter with a healthier fat alternative like coconut oil or avocado.
Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour to add fiber.
Substitute buttermilk with a low-fat or plant-based milk option.
Reduce the amount of sugar or use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Instead of deep-frying, try baking the coated pieces to reduce oil consumption.
Add a pinch of flaxseed or chia seeds to the batter for added nutrients.
Serve with fresh fruit to add vitamins and minerals.

Editor's Thoughts

This deep-fried butter recipe is an indulgent and decadent treat, perfect for those seeking a unique and rich dessert experience. The combination of cinnamon and sugar enhances the buttery flavor, while the crispy exterior provides a delightful contrast to the melting interior. However, it's crucial to handle the hot oil with care and ensure the butter is thoroughly frozen to prevent it from melting too quickly during frying. This dish is best enjoyed in moderation due to its high calorie and fat content, but it can be a fun and impressive addition to a special occasion menu.

Enhance Your Deep-Fried Butter Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Maple-Glazed Bacon Strips: Imagine the crispy bacon strips, kissed with a luscious maple glaze. The smoky, sweet flavors will perfectly complement the rich, buttery goodness of your deep-fried butter.

Caramelized Apple Slices: Picture tender apple slices, caramelized to perfection with a hint of cinnamon. Their tartness and sweetness will provide a delightful contrast to the decadent fried butter.

Spiced Sweet Potato Fries: Envision sweet potato fries, dusted with a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of cayenne pepper. These fries will add a savory-sweet kick to your dessert experience.

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Think of a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, melting slowly beside your deep-fried butter. The creamy, cold texture will balance the warm, crispy exterior of the butter.

Berry Compote: Visualize a vibrant berry compote, made with a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. The tart and sweet flavors will enhance the buttery richness of your dish.

Other Alternative Recipes

Fried Ice Cream: Imagine a scoop of ice cream encased in a crispy, golden shell. This dessert combines the cold, creamy delight of ice cream with a crunchy, warm exterior. Perfect for those who love a contrast in textures.

Deep-Fried Oreos: Take your favorite cookies to the next level by dipping them in a sweet batter and frying them until golden brown. The Oreos become soft and gooey inside, while the outside remains crispy and delicious.

Funnel Cake: A classic fairground treat, funnel cake is a deep-fried delight made by pouring batter through a funnel into hot oil. Dust it with powdered sugar for a sweet, crunchy treat that’s perfect for any occasion.

Churros: These Spanish desserts are long, fried dough pastries that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Roll them in cinnamon sugar and serve with a side of chocolate dipping sauce for an irresistible treat.

Deep-Fried Cheesecake: Take a slice of creamy cheesecake and give it a crispy, golden crust by deep-frying it. The result is a warm, gooey center with a crunchy exterior, making it a decadent dessert that’s hard to resist.

Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses

Appetizers:

Stuffed Mushrooms: Stuffed Mushrooms are a delightful way to start any meal. Imagine plump mushrooms filled with a savory mixture of cream cheese, garlic, and herbs. The mushrooms are then baked until golden and bubbly, creating a perfect bite-sized treat. The creamy filling contrasts beautifully with the earthy flavor of the mushrooms, making each bite a burst of flavor. Serve these warm, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for an added touch of elegance.

Bruschetta: Bruschetta is a classic Italian starter that never fails to impress. Picture slices of toasted baguette topped with a vibrant mix of diced tomatoes, basil, garlic, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The toasted bread provides a satisfying crunch, while the fresh tomato mixture bursts with flavor. This appetizer is not only delicious but also visually appealing, with its bright colors and inviting aroma. Perfect for any gathering, it brings a taste of Italy to your table.

Main Courses:

Grilled Herb-Crusted Chicken: Grilled Herb-Crusted Chicken: Elevate your dinner with this succulent dish. Marinate chicken breasts in a blend of olive oil, garlic, and a medley of fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Grill to perfection, ensuring a crispy, flavorful crust. Serve with a side of roasted vegetables and a drizzle of lemon juice for a refreshing finish. This dish pairs wonderfully with a light white wine or a crisp salad.

Stuffed Bell Peppers: Stuffed Bell Peppers: Delight in the vibrant flavors of this hearty meal. Hollow out colorful bell peppers and fill them with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and spices. Bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is perfectly cooked. Top with melted cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for an extra touch of flavor. This dish is a complete meal on its own but can be complemented with a side of garlic bread or a green salad.

Why trust this Deep-Fried Butter Recipe:

This recipe for deep-fried butter is a delightful indulgence that combines the rich, creamy taste of butter with a crispy, golden exterior. The cinnamon-sugar coating adds a sweet and spicy flavor that perfectly complements the buttery center. By freezing the butter overnight, you ensure it stays intact during frying, resulting in a perfect bite every time. The detailed instructions and precise measurements guarantee consistent results, making this a reliable and delicious treat for any occasion.

Want to discuss the Deep-Fried Butter recipe further? Join the conversation in the Recipe Sharing forum section and share your experience with this unique and indulgent treat!

FAQ:

How do I prevent the butter from melting too quickly when frying?

Freezing the butter pieces for at least 8 hours or overnight is crucial. This ensures they stay solid long enough to fry without melting too quickly.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

I wouldn't recommend it. Butter has a unique flavor and texture that margarine can't quite replicate. Stick with butter for the best results.

What kind of oil should I use for frying?

Vegetable oil is a good choice because it has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor. You could also use canola oil or peanut oil if you prefer.

How do I know when the oil is hot enough for frying?

Use a thermometer to ensure the oil reaches 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). If you don't have a thermometer, you can drop a small bit of batter into the oil; if it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is ready.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?

It's best to make the batter fresh for optimal texture and consistency. However, you can mix the dry ingredients ahead of time and then add the wet ingredients just before frying.