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Home » Dips, Sauces, & Custards

Brandy Butter Recipe

Published: Dec 21, 2018 · Modified: Mar 8, 2022 by Emma · This post may contain affiliate links, which can earn us a commission.

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Have you ever had brandy butter--also called hard sauce?  It's a delightful combination of flavors and is served on top of a warm slice of plum pudding. 

You'll want to serve this homemade dessert topping with plum pudding or homemade mincemeat tarts this Christmas.

bowl of brandy butter with a Christmas pudding

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Store
  • Serving
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe
  • Comments

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Ingredients

glass bowls of ingredients for brandy butter

Curious what you need to make brandy butter? Let's discuss the key ingredients in this simple recipe.

  • Butter: We use a combination of salted and unsalted but feel free to use either one. The salted helps cut some of the sweetness, while unsalted is typically fresher.
  • Brandy: Adding a small amount of this liquor gives this topping its signature flavor. Only add enough to taste, or the mixture will be too bitter.
  • Icing Sugar: This sweetens the mixture and holds it together.
  • Orange Zest: This brightens up the flavors, but be careful not to add too much, or it will be bitter.

How to Make

Grab some icing sugar, butter, vanilla extract, orange zest, and brandy.

sifting icing sugar and beating it with the butter
  1. Put the butter in a bowl and sift the icing sugar on top.
  2. Beat together until lightened in color and fluffy.
brandy butter in a mixing bowl and a serving bowl

3. Add the vanilla, orange zest, and brandy a little at a time until you like the flavor. 

4. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

Recipe FAQs

How do you eat brandy butter?

This British dessert topping is often served with desserts such as Christmas pudding and mince pies. When spooned onto a warm pudding, the butter melts into it to add extra flavor, or is spread on top of a mince pie before eating.

What does brandy butter taste like?

It has a sweet, buttery taste with hints of vanilla, and a slight bitterness from the orange zest and oak from the alcohol.

What is brandy butter made from?

It's made by whipping powdered sugar and butter together with vanilla, brandy, and orange zest. I like to use a mixture of salted and unsalted butter to help balance the sweetness.

Is there alcohol in brandy butter?

Yes, there is alcohol in it. We used 5 to 7 tablespoons in a batch that makes 3 cups. You can substitute this with fruit juice, such as apple juice, or omit it entirely if you prefer.

Store

  • Leftovers: Store in a sealed container in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.
  • Freeze: Store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.  Eat within 1 week of thawing.

Serving

Any warm, heavy dessert goes well with it.  Here are some ideas to get you started, although feel free to experiment!

  • Plum pudding
  • Mince pies
  • Bread pudding
  • Toasted sweet bread (try cinnamon swirl bread, stollen, plum bread)
  • Cinnamon rolls

Expert Tips

  • Use both salted and unsalted butter.  The salt helps cut the sweetness, while the unsalted adds a fresher flavor.
  • Add the brandy slowly.  It's easy to add too much, and then the flavor is overpowering.  If you accidentally add too much, simply add more icing sugar and vanilla to balance it out.
  • Tweak the flavorings to your taste.
  • Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, then serve it cold with Christmas desserts like plum pudding.
  • Freeze for up to 3 months.  Defrost overnight in the fridge, and use within 1 week of thawing.

More Christmas Recipes You'll Love

  • Kale Christmas Wreath Salad
  • Julekake: Norwegian Christmas Bread
  • Roscón de Reyes (Spanish Kings' Cake)
  • Grandma's Bread Stuffing Recipe

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Recipe

person holding a bowl of brandy butter

Brandy Butter Recipe

Brandy butter, a sweet and fluffy blend of butter, sugar, brandy, orange zest, and vanilla, is the traditional accompaniment to plum pudding at Christmas.  Just mix together the ingredients in one bowl to make this delicious gluten free brandy butter.  Everyone will love this classic sauce with plum pudding, bread pudding, or mince pies during the holidays!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Keyword: brandy butter, brandy butter ingredients, whipped brandy butter
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 3 cups
Calories: 122kcal
Author: Emma

Ingredients
 

  • ½ cup salted butter, softened
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups icing sugar
  • 5-7 tablespoons brandy
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest

Instructions

  • Place the softened butter in a mixing bowl.  Sift the icing sugar on top, then beat with an electric mixer until fluffy and lightened in color.
  • Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a flexible spatula, then mix in the vanilla extract and orange zest.  Mix in the brandy one tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired taste.  Taste and add additional sugar, vanilla, or orange zest as desired.
  • Serve with hot plum pudding, bread pudding, mince pies, or Christmas cookies.  If making ahead, store in the fridge until needed.

Notes

  • Use both salted and unsalted butter.  The salt helps cut the sweetness, while the unsalted adds a fresher flavor.
  • Add the brandy slowly.  It's easy to add too much, and then the flavor is overpowering.  If you accidentally add too much, simply add more icing sugar and vanilla to balance it out.
  • Tweak the flavorings to your taste.
  • Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, then serve it cold with Christmas desserts like plum pudding.
  • Freeze for up to 3 months.  Defrost overnight in the fridge, and use within 1 week of thawing.

Nutrition

Serving: 2TablespoonsCalories: 122kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 11g (4%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 8g (12%)Saturated Fat: 5g (31%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 21mg (7%)Sodium: 41mg (2%)Potassium: 4mgFiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 10g (11%)Vitamin A: 249IU (5%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 3mgIron: 1mg (6%)
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth

    October 17, 2019 at 4:31 pm

    5 stars
    This is great with plum pudding. Nice and fluffy. It's soft and creamy, making it the perfect addition to figgy pudding as well. The orange zest adds a nice touch.

    Reply
    • Emma

      October 19, 2019 at 7:55 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Georgia

        November 22, 2021 at 5:38 pm

        This was an amazing Perfect
        The zest did add a little something to it
        Thank you. I will make it again
        Georgia

        Reply
        • Emma

          November 22, 2021 at 6:03 pm

          Glad that you enjoyed it, Georgia, and I'm happy to hear that you want to make it again! 🙂

          Reply

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