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. My petroleum-free homemade spoon butter is made with coconut oil, exactly what I want to be using to nourish my favorite wood pieces.

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 a year or two and make sure you have a designated “rag” for treating your surfaces.

Which wax should I use to make spoon butter?

Organic white beeswax pellets

Beesworks cosmetic grade beeswax

Light beeswax bars

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 order less. My preference is Fractionated Coconut 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 coconut 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 barn wood) a wipe down every day.
• Every three to four weeks treat your favorite wood pieces with spoon butter.

Yield: 4-6 ounces

Spoon Butter Wood Nourishment

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A healthier alternative to cleaning and nourishing your favorite wood pieces.

Ingredients

• 6 ounces beeswax
• 18 ounces fractionated coconut oil
• 6 drops lemon or orange essential oil*

Instructions

1. In a double broiler, gently melt the beeswax until fully liquid.
2. Slowly stir in the fractionated coconut oil until combined.
3. Add 4-6 drops orange or lemon oil and mix well.
4. Pour the mixture into a small jar with an airtight lid. Allow to cool. The mixture will solidify into a creamy, buttery texture. No need to refrigerate.
5. Apply to your favorite wood spoons, cutting or butcher blocks with a soft cloth. Allow to sit for a few minutes and then buff gently. Will last 1-2 years if stored properly.

Notes

You can use food grade mineral oil if you'd like however my favorite option is to use fractionated coconut oil for a natural option. For a cozy natural fragrance, I add 5 or 6 drops of essential oil of orange or lemon.

For the beeswax, I recommend using pellets. Sometimes beeswax comes in chunks and it's difficult to work with. The pellets make the process much easier.

Use sparingly, a little goes a long way.