Purchase sweet butter in large packages, preferably on sale. Generic and store brand butter is fine. Use a coupon if you have one.
Herbed butters are simple to make, and can be made up to three months before the date they will be given as gifts. Simply freeze them in 1/2 or 1 pint canning jars, or other thick jars that have been saved and cleaned for this purpose. Be sure to sterilize the jars before using them.
Two days before you wish to give the gifts, take the butters out of the freezer and place them into the refrigerator. The next day, you will want to tie a square or round of fabric over the jars’ lid with raffia or twine. Add a tag or a sticker with the name of each butter and its’ ingredients, as well as a line that reads ‘From the Kitchen of (Your Name).’
RATIO: 1/2 cup butter to 1 Tablespoon of herb or herb combination. Mix it all up well. (May need to be remixed before giving as a gift.)
USE: Herbs fresh from the garden or pot. Wash and mince them before use.
Variations:
- Dill and mint
- Garlic and marjoram
- Parsley
Experiment with different herbs and combinations of herbs.
NOTE: These jars of butter do not need processing.
What combinations of herbs do you use when making butter? Please share your experiences with us in the comments below.
Shannon
References:
Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs (1987, Rodale Press)
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frugalrecipes.wordpress.com 
I always make home made gifts for Christmas. It’s amazing how much more appreciative my friends and family are when they receive them. Much better than giving them a gift card. I use one particular Brownie in a Jar recipe for Secret Santa gifts here (http://www.cupcakemommies.com/brownies-in-a-jar/) It saves me a lot of money since I usually have the ingredients in my kitchen. I’ll have to add these herbed butter recipes to my repertoire.
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