Butter Candles
A Little Luxury, A Lot of Comfort
This isn't about counting nutrients or pretending butter is a superfood. It's about celebrating the pleasure of good ingredients, rich flavours and food made to be shared. Infused with aromatic rosemary, sage, garlic and warming spices, this savoury butter candle is a deliciously indulgent centrepiece for the winter table. Fats play an important role in our diets, helping us absorb fat-soluble vitamins and providing an essential source of energy. But sometimes, nourishment is about more than nutrition. In the deepest, darkest days of winter, a little warmth, a generous slice of sourdough and something delicious to share can feed the soul just as much as the body.
Read on, gather your ingredients and let's make a little edible magic...
Ingredients for 1 or 2 candles
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250g unsalted butter - softened
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1 head garlic, roasted and mashed OR 1 fresh garlic clove, minced
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1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely minced
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1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
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1tsp fresh sage leaves
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1/2 tsp salt flakes
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1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
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Rosemary and thyme sprigs + flaky salt, for decorating
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Lemon zest (optional)
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Paper cups or candle moulds
Method
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Using a toothpick or skewer, poke a hole in the middle of the base of the paper cup/s,
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Cut the butter into cubes and bring to room temperature.
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Optional step - whip the butter til it's light and fluffy.
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If you forgot to soften your butter, you can microwave it 10 seconds at a time, stirring between each blast, until it's thick and pourable, but not molten.
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Stir in the garlic, herbs, chilli, salt and pepper and any other additions you have chosen.
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When it's thick like pudding, pour it into the cup.
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Note - if you completely melt the butter, the herbs and spices will sink to the bottom.
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Freeze for at least 1 hour. You can freeze these ahead and pull them out when you're ready.
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Peel off the paper cup and trim the wick to 1 cm.
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Cut the top of the bread in a criss-cross so everyone can tear off pieces.
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Pull out a few of the center pieces, about 2 inches deep (or the depth of the candle), and set the candle inside.
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Light it, let it melt, and dip! It takes about 30 minutes to get enough melted butter to dip, so light it a little before you need it.
Tips & Tricks
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Cut butter into cubes the night before and allow to come to room temperature.
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Soft butter is your friend: Allow it to come to room temperature before mixing. It should be soft and pliable, but not melted.
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Vegan? Swap butter for vegan butter.
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Can I use any candle wick? Absolutely not. Choose hemp or cotton wicks. Untreated or dipped in soy or beeswax and from a reputable source.
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DO NOT use paraffin based wicks.
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Roast your garlic ahead: Roasted garlic brings a beautiful mellow sweetness. Make extra – you'll find a hundred uses for it!
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Chop finely: Finely chopped herbs distribute more evenly and give your butter candle a lovely finish.
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Taste as you go: Start gently with the garlic, chilli and seasoning. You can always add more!
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Get creative: Try thyme, oregano, smoked paprika or a little lemon zest. Make it your own.
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Avoid excess moisture: Pat fresh herbs dry before chopping. Too much water can affect the texture and may cause more spitting when the butter melts.
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Make ahead: Prepare your butter candle in advance and keep refrigerated/frozen until needed.
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Garlic in butter needs to stay cold until serving, so keep it frozen or refrigerated until then.
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Never leave it burning unattended, and keep it away from linens and florals.
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If your flame smokes or sputters, fill the top third of the cup with plain butter so the wick starts on clean butter.
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Serve simply: Warm, crusty sourdough is the perfect partner. Tear, dip and share!
Ideas on how to consume
This little beauty is made for sharing! Place it at the heart of a festive grazing board, surrounded by warm sourdough, crunchy seed crackers, breadsticks, crudités and olives. Let everyone gather around, dip, dunk and enjoy.
It also makes a rather lovely edible gift. Add a sprig of rosemary, tie a ribbon around your ramekin and finish with a handwritten label.
For something extra special, try making mini candles for individual place settings served in a bread roll, or serve a larger one as the centrepiece of a cosy winter sharing supper.
Experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own signature candle.
Light it, share it, savour it. A little edible magic for the table!
Creating the Magic
Butter is more than just a delicious ingredient. Dietary fats provide energy and help our bodies absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. When combined with aromatic herbs, garlic and warming spices, we bring together a wonderful variety of natural plant compounds, flavours and aromas.
And nourishment isn't just about what we eat. It's also about taking time to prepare something with care, enjoying beautiful ingredients and sharing good food with good company. Sometimes, that's a little nourishment in itself.
Meet the ingredients....
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Butter – our deliciously indulgent base! Butter provides energy and dietary fats, which help our bodies absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. It also contains small amounts of vitamins A and E. A little goes a long way!
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Garlic – this aromatic kitchen favourite contains sulphur compounds, including allicin-related compounds, which have attracted considerable scientific interest. Roasting changes its nutritional profile, reducing its allicin-forming potential while transforming its flavour into something wonderfully mellow, sweet and almost caramel-like. Still a little powerhouse of flavour!
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Rosemary – more than just a pretty sprig! This fragrant herb contains antioxidant plant compounds, including rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid. Its wonderful aroma makes it a favourite in both the kitchen and the garden.
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Sage – earthy, aromatic and full of character. Sage contains a variety of natural polyphenols and other plant compounds that have attracted interest for their antioxidant properties. A little adds a lovely depth of flavour.
....the stars of the show
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Black Pepper – a humble spice with a little scientific interest! It contains piperine, a natural compound studied for its antioxidant properties and its influence on how the body absorbs and processes certain nutrients.
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Chilli – bringing a little warmth to our candle! Chilli contains capsaicin, the compound responsible for its heat, which has been studied for its effects on inflammation and metabolism. It also provides small amounts of vitamins and antioxidants.
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Lemon Zest (optional) – bright, fragrant and full of character. The zest contains aromatic essential oils, including limonene, as well as small amounts of vitamin C and other plant compounds. A little adds a lovely freshness to the richness of the butter.