Viral Butter Candle Recipe
The Butter Candle is a fun, edible candle made from butter, cinnamon, and powdered sugar that melts into a warm, irresistible dip for fresh bread. This unique appetizer adds a cozy, memorable touch to any gathering!
This cinnamon butter tastes amazing with my Pumpkin Sourdough Bread. Serve them together for a festive fall treat! And if you’re looking for another viral recipe, try my Clementine Posset next!
Butter Candle Recipe
The butter candle trend has taken Instagram and TikTok by storm, and I couldn’t resist trying my own version. My savory herb butter candle got over 100 million views! It was featured in Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Instyle, The Kitchn, The Jennifer Hudson Show, and a variety of local news stations.
It’s been so fun watching people recreate the recipe with their own spin so I’m back with another version for fall. Enter the cinnamon butter candle!
It’s sweet, warm, and cozy; just the thing to serve as a unique appetizer for a chilly evening. As the butter slowly melts, it becomes the perfect dip for fresh bread, and the cinnamon adds that extra touch of autumn comfort.
Why We Love This Recipe
Fun: This butter candle is an entertaining and interactive party trick that will impress your guests. Not only does it taste great, but it also adds a bit of fun to the appetizer spread. I especially love serving it during the holidays!
Aesthetically Pleasing: It looks beautiful alongside a butter board or charcuterie board, adding an eye-catching centerpiece to the table. The candle’s soft glow makes the whole setup feel cozy and inviting.
Easy to Customize: Whether you prefer sweet or savory, this recipe is easy to customize. I’ll share a few ideas to help you create a version that suits any occasion.
What is a Butter Candle?
A Butter Candle is a butter mixture that's frozen solid with a food-safe wick. It's lit like a candle, and as it melts, it serves as a warm, flavorful butter dip. Perfect for pairing with fresh bread or other appetizers!
Is it safe to make a Butter Candle?
It’s important to use food-safe wicks when making butter candles. I use ones made from beeswax-coated hemp. While there’s no need for an edible wick, it's crucial to ensure the wick is safe to use around food.
Some people also use food-safe cotton twine, typically used for tying up roasts, which can be found at grocery stores or online. Just dip it in melted butter before lighting it to help hold the flame. Always do your own research to find what works best for you!
Ingredients
Softened Butter: I like using unsalted butter so I can control the flavor, but feel free to use salted if you prefer. Just make sure it’s softened so it mixes smoothly with the sugar and cinnamon.
Powdered Sugar: This adds a touch of sweetness and helps the butter mixture hold its shape when frozen. Regular granulated sugar won’t work as well here because it leaves a grainy consistency.
Cinnamon: I went with cinnamon for a cozy fall twist, but you could easily swap this out for another spice or even add a mix like nutmeg or cloves for more depth.
Check out the recipe card below for measurements.
Tools
8-ounce Paper Cup: I use a small paper cup because it’s easy to cut away once the butter candle is frozen. Any sturdy, small cup will do as long as you can remove it without breaking the candle.
Food-safe Candle Wick: I use a food-safe wick made from beeswax-coated hemp. It's important to choose something food-safe since you’ll be lighting it and serving it with food.
Scissors: These come in handy for cutting the wick to size and trimming it before lighting. I also use them to carefully cut away the paper cup once the butter candle is fully frozen and ready to serve.
How to Make a Butter Candle
I start by combining the softened butter, powdered sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl, mixing it until it’s smooth and well incorporated.
Next, I prepare my paper cup by poking a small hole at the bottom and threading the wick through.
Once the wick is in place, I spoon the butter mixture into the cup, making sure to fill it all the way and smooth out the top.
After that, I pop the cup into the freezer for at least an hour, but if I can, I leave it overnight for the best results.
About 15 minutes before I’m ready to serve, I take the butter candle out of the freezer to let it soften just a little. Then I remove the butter candle from the cup, by simply tearing it.
I also cut a hole in my bread that’s the same size as the candle, so it fits perfectly. Then I trim the wick.
Finally, I light it up so everyone can enjoy it as the butter slowly melts over the bread!
Tips
Freeze the butter for at least one hour. That’s the minimum time it takes to get solid. If you light it before it’s completely solidified, you’ll end up with a pool of butter before you get to present and enjoy it.
Trim the wick before lighting. A shorter wick helps the butter melt evenly without a big flame, making it safer and more practical for serving.
Let the candle sit out for 15 minutes before serving. This allows the butter to soften just enough for easier dipping, creating the perfect texture for spreading on bread.
Butter Candle Flavors
Garlic & Herbs: A savory twist on the butter candle, perfect for serving with crusty bread. I like to mix in minced garlic, fresh thyme, and rosemary for a flavorful, aromatic appetizer that pairs well with hearty dishes.
Maple Syrup: This sweet version brings a warm, comforting touch to the table. Adding maple syrup gives the butter a rich, slightly caramelized flavor that’s great for dipping with pancakes, waffles, or cornbread.
Lemon Butter: For a bright, zesty flavor, I love adding freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest to the butter mixture. It’s a refreshing option that pairs beautifully with seafood or fresh bread.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A butter candle is made by freezing a butter mixture with a food-safe wick, which is then lit like a regular candle. As the candle burns, the butter melts slowly, creating a warm dip that pairs perfectly with bread or other appetizers.
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A butter candle typically lasts for around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the candle and how much butter it contains. It melts gradually, giving you plenty of time to dip and enjoy.
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The best wick for butter candles is a food-safe wick, ideally made from organic hemp coated with beeswax. It ensures safety when lit, as it’s designed to be used in food preparation.
Butter Candle
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup softened butter
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine softened butter with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Stir until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Make a small hole at the bottom of a small cup and thread the wick through it.
- Pour the butter mixture into the cup, filling it up and smoothing the top.
- Place the filled cup in the freezer for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight.
- Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before serving.
- Cut a hole in your bread, the same size as the candle, to place it in.
- Trim the wick, light the candle, and serve with bread.
