Have you done it yet? Have you made a butter board? No? Well, do you know what a butter board is? It has been all over TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest. Everyone is covering them, even Forbes! Butter boards are being called a simple alternative to a charcuterie board. You basically smush butter on a board or serving dish, then add your spices or toppings, and serve with bread, crackers, fruits, veggies, or even meat. 

The History

This trend started getting noticed with a TikTok video. Now you may think that Justine Doiron was the originator of the butter board. In September, Doiron created a TikTok of her making a butter board. The butter board she was making was actually from Joshua McFadden’s cookbook Six Seasons: A New Way With Vegetables. McFadden had made butter boards for years. However, that TikTok from Doiron is what helped bring that recipe to the forefront today and has caused an internet sensation. Sometimes all you need is that spark to set something on fire. We are happy to experience this trend. 

The Backlash

Now there are some butter board haters. There are people that are against butter boards for a few different reasons. Some people and even experts are worried about the saturated fat of the butter, and others about the sanitization of the wood-cutting board. A couple of articles to note (to educate yourself) “Are butter boards genius or gross? Why some say the trend has gotten out of control,” by Jamie Davis Smith, and “The TikTok Butter Board Trend: Here Are The Dangers” by Bruce Y. Lee. 

Now we aren’t saying butter is the best for your health, especially for adults. However, for babies and toddlers, fat can be beneficial. According to Healthline, fat plays a role in babies’ neurological development and brain function, and butter is also a surprising source of vitamins. The USDA states that one tablespoon of butter contains vitamin A, as well as small amounts of vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B12, and vitamin K2. 

Now that you know why some people may not be butter board fans, let’s get to the ingredients. 

The Butter

First of all, let’s start with the butter. If you are looking for local PNW kinds of butter you can get Alpenrose butter or Umpqua Dairy. Or there is also Churn PDX for flavored compound butters… which could be a great twist. Irish butter is always a winner too. The bottom line, you want good quality butter.

The Board

If you want to use a real cutting board, here are a couple of local choices. Check out these boards and these boards. Or use what you have! Really anything you can spread butter all over works. 

The Extras

Here is where the fun begins. The possibilities are endless for what you can put together for your butter board. You can go sweet or savory. Our favorite savory “recipe” is butter, lemon zest, minced garlic, chives, pepper, and flaky salt. Surprisingly, the whole family LOVES it. Here are some other “recipes” you can check out here and here. But really trust your gut and try out your favorite flavor combinations. 

You will also need something to eat the butter with. You can choose a yummy bread or some crackers. Depending on your combination, you could also choose fruit, veggies, or even meat to eat the butter with. Yes, it sounds weird; just lean into it. 

What is Next on the Horizon?

There are lots of boards being born from this latest trend:

·      Cream Cheese Boards

·      Lox and Cream Cheese Boards

·      Frosting Boards (Ummm, yes, please)

·      Hummus Boards

·      Loaded Potato Boards

·      Chili Board (yes, really)

·      Dip and Spreads Boards

It seems like we have a lot of boards to try. Sounds fun! We are here for the boards. It is so exciting to try new things. As with everything, it is all about moderation and balance. Should you have a butter board every day? Uhhhh, no, probably not. But listen, the boards mean fewer dishes (yay) and new ways to experience and experiment with textures and tastes. Trying new things is an excellent skill for parents and kids alike. Butter boards are a wonderful trend that we are happy to hop on. We can’t wait to see what trend is going to be next. 

Have you tried making butter boards? Are you pro them? Or are you a hater? If you have made them, what ingredients do you use? We can’t wait to hear about your favorites.