How to Make Wooden Spoon Butter

Do you enjoy cooking with a wooden spoon? Isn’t there something so special and comforting about it. But, those wooden utensils need a little care if you want them to last for years. And you shouldn’t just throw them in the dishwasher. (I learned that the hard way). Extend the life of your favorite cutting board or wooden spatula by giving them a bit of a spa treatment. Learn how to make wooden spoon butter with beeswax.

What is Spoon Butter?

Spoon butter is a homemade concoction created by mixing oil and wax. It is often called wood butter because it can be used on any wooden utensil.

May contain affiliate links. Read my privacy and affiliate disclosure policy for more info.

It is normally made using mineral oil. But, this recipe combines beeswax and coconut oil. This simple method of protecting wooden utensils has been used for centuries. So we know it works – why fix what it not broken.

Beeswax is a great ingredient to use in moisturizing recipes. We even use to to make things like this beeswax body butter for our skin. So, it only makes sense that your favorite wooden spoon would love a bit of spoon butter too!

Ingredients Needed

• beeswax
• coconut oil

This simple recipe does not require a lot of fancy ingredients or materials. You need something to melt the recipe in and a jar to store the finished product.

Sometimes, I do add a few drops of vitamin E oil to extend the freshness of the recipe oils but that is optional. Others include a few drops of essential oils – such as lemon grass etc so that is an option.

While some people use mineral oil for spoon butter recipes, I would rather avoid using it or petroleum products. Instead, food-grade coconut oil is readily available and lends well as a beeswax partner.

It also lasts longer without becoming spoiled or rancid like olive oils or vegetable oils will do. If you do not want to use coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, or grapeseed oil is a nice substitute.

What Kind of Beeswax to Use?

Any clean beeswax is suitable for making this recipe. Raw wax for the local beekeeper, bars or even beeswax pellets purchased from a commercial company. There is no need to pay extra for light colored beeswax – darker versions work just fine.

Beeswax is solid at room temperature. You may have to experiment just a bit to get the ratio of beeswax to oil just right for your desired consistency.

Benefits of Homemade Wooden Spoon Butter

Wood is a wonderful natural product but it does dry out over time. Are your wooden utensils looking a bit parched or dry? What about cracks? They make it harder to keep your wooden spoons clean.

Regular application of spoon butter helps moisturize the surface. The beeswax adds a protective coating and a bit of waterproofing to your wooden ware. This helps prevent cracking or splitting and adds a nice new luster.

Beeswax is a natural wax made by honey bees. There are so many ways to use it in and around your home. It can waterproof your old hiking boots, as well as, protect your wooden furniture.

How to Use

Once your beeswax spoon butter is cool and set, it is ready to use. Use your fingers to scoop a bit out of the jar and rub it thoroughly into your wooden utensil.

Apply a good coat to all your wooden utensils, cutting boards, wooden salad bowls or any unpainted wooden parts. Let the items sit overnight-or for a few hours .

This lets the wax and oils soak into the wood spoon and create a bond. Next morning, take a clean soft towel and rub off the excess spoon butter – polish your wooden tools to a shine.

Your wooden spoons, butcher blocks or wooden cutting boards are now moisturized and protected – ready to use.

Once your spoons begin looking dull and dry, its time to repeat the process. A common recommendation (I don’t know who said it) is:

Once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a year, once a year for life. Choose the schedule your utensils need.

Spoon Butter Makes a Great Gift

Now that you know how to make your own homemade spoon butter, don’t keep this magical elixir to yourself.

Make a larger batch of spoon butter. What a wonderful gift idea or small stocking stuffer for Christmas, weddings etc.

Pour into pretty jars and add a label to create the perfect homemade gift. Feel free to use these gift labels and print them on card stock.

The beauty of making spoon butter as a gift is that it can be used in many other ways too. It adds luster to any wooden surface.

If you are giving then during the holiday season, make some beeswax dipped leaves to add to use as a gift tag.

If you love creating natural products, be sure to check out these gift ideas: natural wax melts, beeswax balm for your feet or beautiful herbal wax sachets. It is easy to have fun with a little beeswax.