Monday, December 14, 2009

Brandy Butter

Hard to believe but Christmas is just a week away and there's still so much to do. At this time of the year, traditions seem to be more valued and for the Englishman in my household, it's a time for mince tarts, plum pudding and Brandy Butter.

I know lots of people will just go out and buy Brandy Butter but once you see just how easy it is to make and just how absolutely delicious it can be, you won't be buying it anymore.

Brandy ButterĀ© by Haalo


Brandy Butter

250 grams butter, softened, cut into cubes - I used 180 acres Butter
250 grams soft brown sugar
5 tablespoons Brandy, approx - I used Vecchia Romagna Brandy

I know some recipes will use icing sugar but I like the extra depth in flavour that comes from using brown sugar but in the end, use whichever you would prefer.

Place the softened butter and sugar into a bowl of an electric mixer and beat until thick and creamy.

Once well whipped, on a low speed at the Brandy a tablespoon at a time, ensure that it is well incorporated before adding the next spoonful.

For this batch I used 5 tablespoons but how much you'll need to use will depend on the flavour of the brandy itself - don't be fooled into adding too much brandy because you'll just create a one dimensional product. Taste after each addition and stop when you feel it's right.

Brandy ButterĀ© by Haalo

Place the brandy butter into jars and store in the fridge.

Don't limit your uses to just Christmas - this makes an excellent topping for French toast, pancakes and waffles.

8 comments

  1. I have been bookmarking all of these delicious butters that have been showing up lately!

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  2. Forget my question. I see the answer all the way on the bottom -- toast, pancakes, and waffles. ;-)

    Thanks,
    Paz

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  3. this looks like a great gift idea! I've never had brandy butter but it sounds really good. Do you have any biscuit recommends to make and give with the butter? Plainish, breakfast style, homemade buttermilk?

    Thanks!
    Vero

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  4. Haalo, never heard about that!
    But it sounds excellent, must give a try!

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  5. I hope you get to enjoy them Pam!

    Not a problem Paz:)

    Vero - it's really not a butter that you use as a spread, think of it more as a hard sauce (which also happens to be another name for Brandy Butter). It's generally served on warm things - like steamed puddings.

    Thanks Cinzia - I hope you try it!

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  6. I had no idea that one could buy pre-made brandy butter (aka "hard sauce")! Like you, we make our own and lace it with rum rather than brandy. We've always used icing sugar but I love the idea of using brown sugar instead. Thanks to you, I think this year's hard sauce is going to be made with brown sugar. I know we'll love it.

    -Elizabeth

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  7. Hmmm, I should remember to read all the comments before commenting. I see that you already mentioned that brandy butter is called hard sauce in some households....

    Vero, we love putting hard sauce on thin slices of Christmas cake so I'm thinking any fruit bread would be great to serve with brandy butter. (I bet a date loaf would be great.) Or fruit and nut filled biscotti sliced very thinly like Melba toast.

    -Elizabeth

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  8. Brandy butter sounds so good!

    ReplyDelete

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