Southwest Butter Board with Chipotle Cheddar Butter Crackers and Pricky Pear Jalapeño Honey Drizzle

To create the perfect Butter Board, you need to start with the perfect butter! We love to use Challenge Salted Butter, but you could also use Challenge Dessert Spreads or Challenge European Style Butter.

For savory toppings, think about using vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, cheese, citrus, and peppers. One of our favorite boards is a Southwestern Butter Board. We artfully spread Challenge Salted Butter on our board, then sprinkled on diced roasted pepitas, freeze-dried corn for crunch, and a drizzle of Prickly Pear Jalapeno Honey Drizzle for a touch of sweet heat. We think this is perfect served with homemade Chipotle Cheddar Butter Crackers, watermelon radishes, and garlic bread sticks. Here are two our favorite recipes to help you create this board at home! Originally posted HERE.

Chipotle Cheddar Butter Crackers

  • 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 2 tablespoons finely diced chives
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Challenge Dairy Butter, cold and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Smoked flaky sea salt

Using a food processor, shred cheddar cheese. Leave shredded cheese in the bowl of the processor. Add flour, cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, and chipotle powder. Pulse to combine. Add butter, processing until the mixture resembles wet sand.

With the processor running, slowly add water until a dough forms. Remove from bowl and roll into a 1 ½ inch log. Cover tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or up to 2 days.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Slice the logs into 1/8-inch slices. Place on parchment paper, spacing crackers ½ inch apart. Lightly sprinkle crackers with sea salt. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the crackers are slightly golden brown around the edges. Remove and let cool on a cooling rack. Once cooled, crackers can be stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Prickly Pear Jalapeño Honey Drizzle

  • 1/2 cup prickly pear syrup
  • 1 cup jalapeño pepper jelly
  • 2 tablespoons mesquite honey

Combine ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 60 seconds. Remove and stir to combine. Pour into a squeeze bottle for serving.

HELPFUL TIPS: When using a wooden cutting board, consider lining it with parchment paper for easy cleanup. If you are concerned with the butter melting, use a marble, metal, or copper board. Place the board in the freezer before adding the softened butter to the surface. Cooling trays or ice packs underneath the board will help keep things cool!

RECIPE BY THE CHALLENGE BUTTER TEAM