10,000 butter recipes

This is a recipe from Toravaig House Hotel, a small family hotel at Knock Bay in the south or garden of Skye, five miles south of Armadale.

Hearty one-pot stew with rabbit, veal, or chicken simmered with pearl barley, leeks, garlic, and sage until the meat falls off the bone. No thickener needed.

Creamy French-style chicken soup with diced vegetables, rice, and half-and-half finished with a silky roux. Classic Chicken a la Reine is elegant comfort in a bowl.

Buttery cake squares filled with cherry pie filling that bake up golden and tender. Each square gets a ruby-red cherry center and a dusting of powdered sugar for simple elegance.

Feta and scallion omelet seasoned with paprika and fresh dill, folded soft and fluffy. A quick brunch omelet with a Russian-style salty-cheese filling that comes together in minutes.

Alphabet cookies shaped by hand from a simple butter cookie dough rolled into ropes. A fun baking project for kids that doubles as a tasty learning activity.

Mexican chocolate wedding cakes rolled in powdered sugar with unsweetened chocolate, brown sugar, butter, and chopped nuts. A rich, crumbly chocolate twist on the classic polvorones cookie.

Orange blossom spritz cookies made with butter, orange zest, and vanilla, pressed into decorative shapes and baked until firm. A classic holiday cookie press recipe.

Bread machine toffee nut wheat bread loaded with crunchy pecans, brown sugar, and a hint of coffee. Dump it in, press start, and fill the house with that warm, toasty aroma.

Spaghetti squash salad with mushrooms and Parmesan: roasted squash strands tossed with garlic olive oil, sauteed mushrooms, and fresh parsley. Low-carb, gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, 45 minutes start to finish.

Tart apples baked with butter, plumped raisins, and lemon, then crowned with a golden meringue and served warm. An elegant, simple dessert that looks far harder than it is.

These rich chocolate-toffee bars from Mary Lueke of Menasha were our top pick in the bar category.

Cheesy chicken with mushrooms layers seared chicken breasts under a creamy cheddar sauce, then crowns with buttery sauteed mushrooms and Parmesan. A pantry-friendly weeknight casserole that pairs with rice or mashed potatoes.

This cheesy chicken casserole loads tender chicken and cubed ham over fluffy rice in a creamy cheddar soup sauce with sautéed peppers and onions. Ready in 40 minutes flat, it's the kind of one-pot comfort food that brings everyone to the table.

A golden, puffy soufflé filled with tender zucchini (or spinach), nutty Gruyère, and fresh parsley. Vegetarian, elegant, and easier than you think. Serve it straight from the oven for maximum wow factor.

Quick zucchini sheet cake using boxed mix with grated zucchini, cinnamon, and crunchy walnuts on top. Dust with powdered sugar for casual weeknight dessert.