320 butters topping recipes

Tender peeled white asparagus spears topped with nutty brown butter and toasty bread crumbs. A classic German side dish that comes together in just 15 minutes.

Butterscotch shortbread cookies made with dark brown sugar and unsalted butter, topped with chopped walnuts or pecans pressed into the dough. Makes 72 bite-sized squares.

Classic French trout amandine with whole trout pan-fried in butter, topped with golden sauteed almonds, fresh lemon, and parsley. Bistro elegance from a simple technique.

Flourless raspberry truffle cake made with a full pound of melted chocolate, whipped egg whites, and butter. Topped with sweetened cream, fresh raspberries, and chocolate curls.

Bristol icebox cake: layers of vanilla wafer crumbs and a crushed pineapple-pecan-butter mixture, chilled overnight and topped with whipped cream. Vintage no-bake dessert.

Cinnamon flop is an old-fashioned coffee cake made from a simple no-egg batter topped with brown sugar, cinnamon, and chunks of butter that melt into gooey pockets as it bakes.

Steak Diane: thinly pounded sirloin steaks pan-seared in butter and topped with a warm Worcestershire-shallot sauce. Classic 1950s tableside dinner, ready in under 10 minutes.

Cape Cod cranberry-blueberry crisp with maple syrup, oat-almond topping, and whole wheat flour. A naturally sweetened, butter-free fruit dessert bursting with tart berry flavor.

Perfect baked potatoes with crispy or soft skins, pricked and oven-baked directly on the rack. Topped with butter, salt, pepper, and paprika. A simple foundational recipe.

Quick praline peach topping with brown sugar, chopped almonds, and butter spooned over angel food cake. A 5-minute warm dessert sauce with fresh or frozen peaches.

Maple syrup broilers with young chicken browned in butter, topped with caramelized onions and maple syrup, then baked with apple cider, aniseed, and savory. A Quebecois classic.

Whole wheat apple coffee cake with currants, toasted walnuts, apple butter, and warm spices. Made lighter with egg whites and canola oil, topped with a sugar crust.

Chocolate peanut butter bars with chips baked into the batter and melted on top for a smooth chocolate layer. Chewy, dense, and no-fuss from one pan.

Espresso-braised onions caramelize sliced onions in butter and sugar, then reduce with brewed espresso and chicken stock for a deep, bittersweet onion side dish or steak topping.

Brown sugar shortbread cookies baked in a springform pan with a cinnamon sugar topping, cut into 12 tender wedges. Butter, brown sugar, flour, and warm spice in every crumbly bite.

Butter-baked chicken breasts topped with a rich sherry and mushroom almond sauce with Worcestershire and a hint of almond extract. Elegant enough for company, served over rice.