Butter Board with Crispy Maple Pancetta and Spiced Apples

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If you’re looking to join in on the viral butter board trend that has been sweeping TikTok and Instagram, you’ve come to the right place. This butter board brings all the fall vibes to your next gathering, whether that’s a dinner party, football watch party or Thanksgiving dinner. The mixture of salty, sweet, crunchy and soft makes for a dynamic texture and flavor profile that will impress your guests ... or just you, if you’re enjoying it alone (we won’t judge).

Topped with crispy maple pancetta and spiced apples, this butter board uses Plugrà® butter, which is our preferred brand because of its complimentary flavor that allows the toppings to shine. And if you’re debating whether to use salted or unsalted butter for your butter board, be sure to read our butter board tips at the bottom of the recipe.

This butter board with crispy maple pancetta and spiced apples comes together quickly and easily with just a handful of ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your pantry.

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Butter Board with Crispy Maple Pancetta and Spiced Apples
Start to finish: Active: 30 minutes | Inactive: 30 minutes
Impresses: 6–8

Ingredients

For the spiced apples:
1 apple, cut in ½-inch cubes (Honeycrisp or similar variety)
1 tablespoon Plugrà® unsalted butter, reserved
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 teaspoons water (substitute apple cider to make it sweeter)
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

For the crispy maple pancetta:
4 ounces pancetta, diced (can substitute thick-cut bacon, diced)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon brown sugar

For the butter board:
1 8-ounce package Plugrà® unsalted butter, room temperature, reserve 1 tablespoon for spiced apples
1–2 cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)
3–4 sage leaves for garnish (optional)

Method

For the spiced apples:
Reserve 1 tablespoon of Plugrà® butter. Set the rest aside. Cut apples immediately before cooking to prevent browning. Melt butter in saucepan over medium-low heat, add apples, cover and cook 4–5 minutes to slightly soften. Add brown sugar, water and cinnamon. Reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook again 4–5 more minutes until thickened. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes.

For the crispy maple pancetta:
Toss the pancetta in maple syrup and brown sugar. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until pancetta changes color and begins to crisp. Remove from skillet with a slotted spoon and let cool completely, about 20 minutes.

To assemble butter board:
For easier cleanup, cut a piece of parchment paper smaller than the space you expect your butter will take up on the board. Don’t worry, you won’t be able to see the parchment paper.

Spread the remaining Plugrà® butter on the board, and shape with the back of a spoon. Be sure to cover the edges of the parchment paper.

Layer spiced apples over the butter. Sprinkle crispy maple pancetta on top. Garnish with 1–2 cinnamon sticks and 3–4 sage leaves, if desired.

Pairs well with bread, like a sliced baguette, sourdough or crispy breadsticks.

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Butter Board Tips

  • Take your butter out of the refrigerator in the morning to allow it to come to room temperature before you plan to use it

  • Use any type of board, serving tray or plate you already have — it doesn’t have to be fancy

  • Line your board with parchment paper for easier cleanup

  • Choose between salted or unsalted butter based on your toppings — salted butter works best for sweet butter boards, while unsalted butter works best for salty butter boards

  • Imperfection is key — use the back of a spoon to spread your butter in an imperfect fashion, and don’t worry about placing your toppings perfectly

  • Go for a mix of sweet, salty, soft and crunchy toppings on your butter board

  • If your butter board uses an ingredient that tends to be on the pricier side, check your grocery store’s salad bar and only buy what you need

  • Offer a variety of dippers, like baguette, sourdough, crispy breadsticks, pretzel thins or pita chips