Authentic Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter Recipe

Authentic Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter Recipe
The authentic Texas Roadhouse cinnamon butter recipe requires just 5 simple ingredients: 1 cup softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix until smooth, then chill for 30 minutes before serving with warm rolls.

If you've ever visited Texas Roadhouse and savored that irresistible cinnamon butter served with their famous rolls, you've probably wondered how to make texas roadhouse cinnamon butter at home. This copycat recipe captures the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors that make this condiment so addictive. The good news is that recreating this restaurant favorite requires only basic pantry ingredients and takes less than 15 minutes of active preparation time.

What makes Texas Roadhouse cinnamon butter special is its perfect texture—soft enough to spread easily on warm rolls yet firm enough to hold its shape. The key is using room-temperature butter and properly balancing the cinnamon with just the right amount of sweetness from brown sugar and honey. Unlike some copycat recipes that use powdered sugar, the authentic version relies on brown sugar for that distinctive caramel note.

Ingredients for Perfect Copycat Cinnamon Butter

This texas roadhouse cinnamon butter recipe stays true to what you'd get at the restaurant with simple, accessible ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (use high-quality for best flavor)
  • 2 tablespoons honey (pure, not imitation)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Ingredient Why It Matters Substitution Options
Unsalted butter Controls sodium level and provides clean butter flavor Salted butter (reduce added salt elsewhere)
Light brown sugar Creates caramel notes that mimic restaurant version Dark brown sugar (stronger molasses flavor)
Ground cinnamon Freshness impacts flavor intensity significantly Ceylon cinnamon (milder, more complex)

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

Follow these precise steps for the most authentic texas roadhouse cinnamon butter copycat experience:

  1. Prepare your butter - Remove butter from refrigerator 1-2 hours before making. It should be soft but not melted. Properly softened butter incorporates ingredients evenly without requiring excessive beating.
  2. Cream the base - In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down sides as needed.
  3. Add sweeteners - Gradually mix in brown sugar until fully incorporated. Then add honey and vanilla extract, beating until smooth.
  4. Incorporate cinnamon - With mixer on low speed, gradually add cinnamon. Increase to medium speed and beat for 1-2 minutes until completely uniform in color and texture.
  5. Chill properly - Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows flavors to meld and texture to firm up slightly.
Homemade Texas Roadhouse cinnamon butter served with warm dinner rolls

Serving and Storage Tips

For the most restaurant-style texas roadhouse cinnamon roll butter experience:

  • Serve with warm rolls - Heat dinner rolls in oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes before serving
  • Portion correctly - Use approximately 1 tablespoon per roll for authentic restaurant experience
  • Storage - Keep in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
  • Freezing - Can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw in refrigerator before use

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with this simple easy homemade texas roadhouse butter recipe, you might encounter these issues:

  • Butter is too hard - Let sit at room temperature 15-20 minutes before serving. Properly softened butter should yield slightly when pressed.
  • Flavor too weak - Add additional 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon honey, then re-chill.
  • Too sweet - Balance with additional 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or a pinch of salt.
  • Separation occurs - This happens if butter was too warm. Re-chill thoroughly and remix before serving.

Variations to Try

Once you've mastered the classic texas roadhouse cinnamon honey butter recipe, experiment with these variations:

  • Nutty version - Add 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
  • Spiced version - Include 1/4 teaspoon each of nutmeg and allspice
  • Maple twist - Replace honey with pure maple syrup
  • Orange zest - Add 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest for brightness

Why This Recipe Works

The secret to perfect texas roadhouse copycat cinnamon butter lies in the ingredient ratios and preparation method. Unlike many online recipes that use powdered sugar or excessive cinnamon, this version mirrors the restaurant's balance of flavors. The brown sugar provides depth that white sugar can't match, while the honey adds subtle floral notes that complement the cinnamon. Proper chilling time allows the flavors to meld without the butter becoming too hard.

Many home cooks make the mistake of using melted butter, which creates a greasy texture. Room-temperature butter properly creamed with the other ingredients creates that signature smooth, spreadable consistency that's neither too firm nor too runny—exactly what you experience at Texas Roadhouse.

Chef Liu Wei

Chef Liu Wei

A master of Chinese cuisine with special expertise in the regional spice traditions of Sichuan, Hunan, Yunnan, and Cantonese cooking. Chef Liu's culinary journey began in his family's restaurant in Chengdu, where he learned the complex art of balancing the 23 distinct flavors recognized in traditional Chinese gastronomy. His expertise in heat management techniques - from numbing Sichuan peppercorns to the slow-building heat of dried chilies - transforms how home cooks approach spicy cuisines. Chef Liu excels at explaining the philosophy behind Chinese five-spice and other traditional blends, highlighting their connection to traditional Chinese medicine and seasonal eating practices. His demonstrations of proper wok cooking techniques show how heat, timing, and spice application work together to create authentic flavors. Chef Liu's approachable teaching style makes the sophisticated spice traditions of China accessible to cooks of all backgrounds.