Fire up the smoker and try this playful, viral trend with a Traeger twist. Smoked Butter Candles are simple to make, require only a few kitchen supplies (the one specialty item is a candle wick), and will quickly become the centerpiece of your table and the topic of conversation at your next gathering.
Viral Butter Candle Recipe
Social media has been buzzing about the butter candle trend: instead of paraffin or soy wax, a stick of butter becomes the vessel for a glowing, fragrant candle. We adapted the idea for the smoker and made a savory version ideal for serving with bread. This smoked butter candle fills the room with warm, buttery, lightly smoky aroma while offering a delicious dipping sauce for torn pieces of bread.
For this version we use salted butter enhanced with garlic and fresh herbs, then gently smoke the butter to impart a subtle smoke flavor. If you don’t have a smoker or it’s not accessible, you can melt the butter on the stovetop and proceed with the rest of the steps.
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Recipe Shopping List
Before you begin, gather the items below. For exact quantities and full details, see the ingredient list and instructions further down.
- Salted butter
- Garlic (minced)
- Fresh basil
- Fresh thyme
- Large loaf of bread (for serving)
- Plastic cup, candle wick, thumbtack (for forming the candle)
Try smoked olives or other smoked appetizers too!
How To Make This Recipe — Overview
This overview outlines the main steps so you know what to expect. Follow the detailed instructions below when you’re ready to cook.
- Preheat — Heat your smoker to 180°F (82°C).
- Smoke the butter — Combine the butter, garlic, and herbs in a grill-safe container and place in the smoker until melted and infused with smoke.
- Form the candle — While still spoonable, transfer the smoked butter into a plastic cup prepared with a wick, then chill until firm.
- Assemble — Remove the cup, place the butter candle inside a hollowed loaf of bread, light the wick, and dip chunks of bread into the melted butter.
Serve with smoked goat cheese or other smoky sides for a complete spread!
Recipe FAQ
Can you make these in advance and/or in bulk?
Yes. These hold up well in the freezer. Once the butter candles are fully hardened, remove the plastic mold and store them in an airtight freezer bag for 2–3 months.
Are there substitutions you can make?
Absolutely. Swap or add herbs like rosemary or parsley, add crushed red pepper for heat, or use unsalted butter and adjust for seasoning. This recipe is flexible, so experiment to suit your tastes.
Explore more favorite Traeger recipes and smoked appetizers for your next gathering.
More Recipes
- Smoked Crackers
- Smoked Hog-Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers
- Smoked Queso
- Smoked Olives
- Short Rib Poutine
- 0-400 Chicken Wings
- Traeger Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
- Traeger Pork Belly Twists
- Teriyaki Shrimp Kabobs
- Smoked BBQ Pickled Eggs
- Homemade Pulled Pork Baked Beans
Try other viral Traeger spins like smoked feta pasta and creative TikTok wraps for a crowd-pleasing menu.
Pin For Later
Smoked Butter Candle
This adaptation of a viral TikTok trend is made for the smoker. Fire up the Traeger for a savory, smoky appetizer that’s as fun as it is delicious.
Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook / Smoke Time: 1 hour (approx.)
Chill Time: 30 minutes (minimum)
Total Time: about 1 hour 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 sticks salted butter
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons fresh basil, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
- 1 large loaf of bread (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 180°F (82°C).
- Combine butter, garlic, basil, and thyme in a grill-safe container (a medium cast iron or metal pan works well).
- Place the container in the smoker and heat until the butter is soft and melted. Smoke longer for a stronger smoked flavor, if desired.
- Remove the container and let the butter cool until it is semi-solid and spoonable but not fully hard.
- Using a thumbtack or pin, make a small hole in the side or bottom of a plastic cup sized for your candle. Thread a candle wick through the hole so the wick extends out the bottom and the top is centered in the cup.
- Spoon the smoked butter into the cup around the wick. Tap the cup gently to remove air pockets and to settle the butter. Make sure the wick remains centered.
- Freeze or refrigerate the filled cup until the butter is fully firm, at least 30 minutes.
- Remove the cup by cutting or peeling it away from the butter candle.
- Hollow out the center of a large loaf of bread to create a bowl, place the butter candle inside, trim the wick so it’s long enough to sustain a flame as the butter melts, and light it.
- As the butter melts, tear off pieces of bread and dip them into the buttery pool. Enjoy immediately while warm.
Notes & Equipment
- Necessary equipment: plastic cup, thumbtack (or pin), candle wick (hemp wick or cotton candle wick), scissors, lighter, bread knife.
- Use a heatproof container for smoking the butter. Cast iron or stainless steel pans work best in a smoker.
- Trim the wick carefully as the butter melts to prevent the flame from extinguishing when the melted butter rises.
- Storage: freeze extra candles in airtight bags for easy reheating and serving later.
Nutrition (per serving — estimate)
Calories: ~317 • Total Fat: ~35g • Saturated Fat: ~22g • Sodium: ~291mg • Protein: ~1g
Nutrition data is an estimate and will vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes.
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