Lemon Butter Spread

Two ingredients. Five minutes. This lemon butter spread delivers a punch of bright citrus flavor that plain butter just can’t match.

Softened butter gets mixed with finely grated lemon zest, and that’s it. The zest brings all the lemon flavor without any of the acidity you’d get from juice, so it spreads smooth and tastes clean.

Slather it on warm dinner rolls, crusty bread, corn on the cob, or grilled fish. It melts on contact and leaves behind little bursts of lemon in every bite.

Kitchen Tips

• Use a microplane for the zest. You want the finest grate possible so no one bites into a chunk of peel.
• Zest only the bright yellow layer. The white pith underneath is bitter.
• Let the butter sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing. It should dent easily when pressed but not be melty.

Variations

• Herb lemon butter: Fold in minced fresh parsley or chives for a compound butter that’s great on steak or vegetables.
• Honey lemon butter: Add a drizzle of honey for a sweet-savory spread that works on biscuits and pancakes.