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If you’re like me and have a few vintage bread boards, wood spoons, and butcher blocks you’ll want to slather them with this golden-yellow, luxurious spoon butter. Free of mineral oil and made from only two ingredients, this balmy cream should be in every kitchen. I make and store mine in a Mason jar. Our homemade spoon butter is made with cold-pressed sunflower oil, making it petroleum-free.
What is Spoon Butter – or Butcher Block Cream?
Spoon butter sounds like a lux body balm but it’s not. Actually you could use it on your hands but that’s not my intention. Spoon butter is essentially butcher block cream or balm. When applied to wood pieces it helps prevent cracking, repels water, and moisturizes all of wood surfaces and special wood spoons and vintage bread boards.
Pro tips
I recommend purchasing small pieces of beeswax as opposed to a large chunk. It’s just too difficult to cut. Store your spoon butter in a Ball container for up to six months and make sure you have a designated “rag” for treating your surfaces.
Which wax should I use to make spoon butter?
Beesworks cosmetic grade beeswax
What is the best oil to use to make spoon butter?
Traditionally mineral is used however I wanted mine to be made with an alternative. You can use any oil that’s liquid at room temperature and fairly orderless. I bought cold pressed sunflower oil.
How to make spoon butter
Start with a pot of simmering water. Your Mason jar acts as a double-boiler and you can also store your spoon butter there. Allow the beeswax and oil to melt together, no need to heat separately. I used a small fork to help stir occasionally. Once the beeswax has completely melted, add 4 to 6 drops orange oil if you’d like and then allow the spoon butter to sit until it becomes solid.
How to treat your wood cutting boards and spoons (in just 10 minutes a month!)
- First, should I use wood or plastic for cutting? My preference is always wood however if I’m cutting meat I use something like bamboo. This cutting board works well because it has a juice grove channel.
- For cleaning, I use a gentle cleanser and wipe dry. I make sure to give my kitchen island (made of reclaimed barm wood) a wipe down every day.
- Every three to four weeks treat your favorite wood pieces with spoon butter.
Spoon Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces beeswax
- 1 cup sunflower oil
- 6 drops orange oil optional
Directions
- Gather your supplies. You’ll need a two quart saucepan and ball jar.
- Fill your saucepan with water and turn the heat to medium.
- Measure 2 ounces of beeswax and place in jar.
- Add sunflower oil and then place the jar into the saucepan.
- Turn the heat to low ans allow to simmer until the beeswax is completely melted.
- You might need a fork to break up the smaller pieces of beeswax.
- Remove the jar from the water. All of the wax should have melted into a golden, translucent liquid.
- Allow jar sit for about 20 minutes. As the liquid gets cloudy, give it another stir and then leave it for about 20 additional minutes. Stir again to ensure that the beeswax and oil are evenly mixed.
- When the spoon butter cools, use a soft rag to apply the balmy butter to your favorite wood pieces.
- Apply liberally and allow to sit for a few minutes. Wipe any spoon butter off that didn’t soak it.
- Stand back and look at your beautiful wood pieces! Store your spoon butter in a cool place with the lid on. Spoon butter will last about 6 months.
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