Whenever I'm invited to a party or family gathering, there’s one item that’s always a guaranteed hit—a charcuterie board. It’s the perfect way to bring people together around good food, and best of all, there are no rules. Anything goes!
Of course, in our house, every charcuterie board includes butter. Yet there are always skeptics.
I remember planning a holiday gathering with a close friend who raised an eyebrow when I suggested adding butter to the board. “Butter?” she said, puzzled. “I’ve never seen that before.”
I just smiled and told her to trust me.
That evening, as guests started digging in, I watched her reaction. She spread a bit of salted butter on a cracker, topped it with a slice of aged cheddar, and added a fresh raspberry. One bite, and her eyes lit up.
"Wow," she said. "This is amazing!"
She hadn’t expected butter to be such a game-changer. The creamy richness brought everything together—the crunch of the crackers, the sweetness of the fruit, the saltiness of the cheese. She went back for another bite, this time pairing the butter with a slice of prosciutto and a drizzle of honey.
"I can’t believe I never thought of using butter like this," she said.
This was before butter boards became a trend on social media, so the idea of spreading butter onto a charcuterie board felt completely new to her. But after that night, she was a believer.
Making Butter the Star
Butter’s magic lies in getting the pairings right. The right butter can enhance flavors, add contrast, and create the perfect bite.
Salted Butter – A Classic Essential
- Rich, creamy, with just the right touch of salt
- Pairs best with: Aged Cheddar, red wine Cheddar, whiskey Gouda
- Accoutrements: Cured ham, fig jam, roasted almonds, rustic sourdough
- Why it works: The salt in the butter enhances the nutty, complex flavors of aged cheese while balancing the saltiness of cured meats
Signature Butter – Bold & Savory
- Infused with roasted garlic, cracked black pepper, and parsley for an irresistible depth of flavor
- Pairs best with: Gouda, bacon Cheddar, black pepper Cheddar
- Accoutrements: Salami, marinated olives, rosemary crackers, honeycomb
- Why it works: The garlic and black pepper in the butter deepen the umami of the meats and cheeses, creating a rich, flavorful bite
Sweet Cinnamon Butter – Warm & Indulgent
- A touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with both savory and sweet elements
- Pairs best with: Mascarpone, medium Cheddar, Colby
- Accoutrements: Fresh pears, dried apricots, candied pecans, cinnamon raisin bread
- Why it works: The warm cinnamon enhances the natural sweetness of fruits and adds a cozy, comforting note to creamy cheeses
Building a Butter-Forward Board
Once you’ve picked the perfect pairings, it’s time to bring it all together. Start by choosing the right size board.
Your board is your foundation—whether it’s a wooden cutting board, marble slab, slate tile, or even a rustic serving tray. For a small gathering with 2 to 4 guests, use a small board. For a medium party with 6 to 8 guests, go with a medium board. For a larger event, combine multiple boards for a dramatic spread.
Select high-quality, locally sourced ingredients because a charcuterie board is only as good as what you put on it. Fresh, local butter, cheese, meats and bread make all the difference.
A great board has a mix of flavors and textures. Use this simple portion guide per person:
- Meats: 2–3 ounces
- Butter: ½ Tablespoon
- Cheese: 1–2 ounces
- Fruits and veggies: A few slices
- Nuts: A small handful
- Dips and sauces: 2 Tablespoons
- Bread and crackers: 3.5–5 ounces
When assembling the board, start with the big items—place cheeses, butter dishes, and meats first. Then add color by scattering fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs around the board. You can create texture by folding meats, fanning out crackers and layering sliced bread.
Next, drizzle and garnish—think honey over cheese, flaky salt on butter and a sprig of rosemary for freshness.
And the final "pro" tip: Serve butter at room temperature—this ensures it’s perfectly spreadable and at its peak flavor.
It's About the Experience
A well-made charcuterie board isn’t just about what you serve—it’s about how you bring the ingredients together to create an experience. Butter brings balance, depth, and richness to every bite, making your board truly unforgettable.
Stop by the Butter Barn to pick up fresh artisan butter and all the essentials for your next gathering.
📍 The Butter Barn at Royal Guernsey Creamery
W11674 Duffy Road
Columbus, WI 53925
Open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.