This easy Lemon Butter recipe is perfect on warm rolls, pancakes, or any treat! It’s easy to make and tastes fantastic.
Lemon Butter
Earlier this week, we shared a gorgeous Sweet Bread Recipe that pairs perfectly with today's Lemon Butter Recipe!
This recipe was perfect as we enjoy the last few weeks of summer and coast into Fall. It's a tart and delicious addition to your favorite rolls, bagels, and anything you can add butter to.
This Lemon Butter would be delicious as a snack, treat, or any time during the day. Because, well, BUTTER!
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic Lemon Butter! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Butter
Equipment Needed
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Kitchen Spoon/Spatula
How to make Lemon Butter
I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.
- Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan on the stovetop until the mixture is not lumpy. Cook over low to medium heat and stir occasionally until the mixture thickens. Stir constantly once the mixture is thickening. Remove from heat when the sauce is the consistency you desire.
- Add in the butter and stir until melted. Serve warm or cold over muffins, sweet bread, or ice cream.
Preparation and Storage
Make-Ahead + Storage: Lemon Butter stores well for future enjoyment! Refrigerate it in an airtight container and enjoy it within a week.
Freezing/How to Freeze: This Lemon Butter also freezes well! Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe container and enjoy them within three months.
How to Reheat: Thaw leftovers in the fridge overnight, then whisk before serving to fluff up the consistency before serving. You can serve this sweet butter hot or cold.
Recipe Variations
Substitutions:
Potato starch works well as a sauce thickener if you don’t have cornstarch.
We have seen recipes that use honey to make Honey Lemon Butter. If you go this route, replace the white sugar with two to three tablespoons of honey and lower the water content by half, adjusting as needed until you like the texture and taste.
Vegetarian Option: This recipe is vegetarian.
Vegan Option: Vegans should replace the butter with a plant-based alternative to make it vegan.
Gluten-Free: This recipe is gluten-free! Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, as are the other ingredients.
Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: Scale the written recipe to your desired yield. It doubles and triples easily!
Sugar-Free: The written recipe contains 67 grams of sugar. Replace the white sugar with a sugar-free alternative to make it sugar-free.
Tips for the Best Lemon Butter
- For delicious whipped Lemon Butter, beat it with a whisk, hand mixer, or electric stand mixer until light and fluffy. The process should take about five minutes by hand and three minutes with an electric mixer.
What to Serve with Lemon Butter
From a spread for freshly baked bread and muffins to a mix-in for warm oatmeal, there are infinite possibilities for incorporating Lemon Butter into breakfast, coffee, and tea time. Here are some menu planning suggestions.
Sides: Homemade Apple Cinnamon Rolls, CrockPot Bourbon Banana Bread, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Tinta Port Wine Banana Bread, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, CrockPot Pumpkin Bread, Apple Cider Bread, 3 Ingredient Banana Bread, Nutella Banana Bread
Main Dishes: Easy German Apple Pancakes, Muffin Mix Pancakes, CrockPot Blueberry Oatmeal, Cinnamon Roll Waffles, French Toast Casserole, Cinnamon Toast, CrockPot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, CrockPot Apple & Raisin French Toast, CrockPot Banana Bread Oatmeal
When to Serve
- Breakfast
- Snacktime
- Coffee or Tea Snack
Great Lemon Recipes
Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.
Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all our recipe posts.
Ingredients
- ⅓ Cup White Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch potato starch will work as well
- ½ Cup Water
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
Instructions
- In a saucepan on the stovetop, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, water, and lemon juice until the mixture is not lumpy. Cook over a low to medium heat and stir occasionally until the mixture begins to thicken. Stir constantly once the mixture is thickening. Remove from heat when the sauce is the consistency you desire.
- Add in the butter and stir until melted. Serve warm or cold over muffins, sweet breads, or ice cream.
Kitchen Tools
- Saucepan
Nutrition
Recipe originally shared on August 9, 2015. Updated December 2020
Scott
I really need to go back to making my own flavored butters. They're getting too expensive at the store!
aimee fauci
These look amazing! I have to give you serious props on your pictures!
valmg
It sounds super easy to make. I bet it would taste great on pound cake.
Julie
Yum! I don't think I've ever had lemon butter - I want to make some tonight.
Stephanie
I like how this looks simple to make, with simple ingredients, yet probably tastes outstanding!