Texas Roadhouse Honey Cinnamon Butter Recipe & Facts

Texas Roadhouse honey cinnamon butter is a signature compound butter served with complimentary dinner rolls at Texas Roadhouse restaurants. This sweet and spicy spread combines softened butter with honey, cinnamon, and a hint of vanilla, creating a perfectly balanced flavor that complements warm bread. While the restaurant doesn't sell the exact product commercially, home cooks can easily recreate this popular butter using simple ingredients available at any grocery store.

For years, patrons have raved about the irresistible sweet and spicy compound butter served alongside Texas Roadhouse's famous complimentary dinner rolls. This beloved accompaniment has become so popular that many diners visit specifically for the rolls and butter experience. The magic lies in its perfect balance of sweet honey and warm cinnamon flavors blended into high-quality butter.

What Makes Texas Roadhouse Honey Cinnamon Butter Special

The appeal of this honey cinnamon butter stems from its simple yet perfectly balanced flavor profile. Unlike many restaurant copycat recipes that rely on complex ingredient lists, Texas Roadhouse achieves its distinctive taste through careful measurement of just a few quality components. The butter features a delicate sweetness from pure honey that complements rather than overwhelms, while the cinnamon provides warmth without excessive spice.

Food scientists note that the texture plays a crucial role in the experience. The restaurant serves the butter slightly softened, allowing it to spread easily on warm rolls while maintaining its rich, creamy consistency. This textural element, combined with the aromatic cinnamon and floral honey notes, creates a multi-sensory experience that keeps customers coming back.

Authentic Honey Cinnamon Butter Ingredients

Creating an accurate copycat version requires understanding the proper ratio of ingredients. Based on analysis of the flavor profile and numerous successful recreations, the following ingredients produce the closest match to the restaurant version:

Ingredient	Amount	Role in Flavor Profile
Unsalted butter	1 cup (2 sticks)	Base ingredient providing rich creaminess
Honey	1/4 cup	Natural sweetness balancing the cinnamon
Ground cinnamon	1 1/2 teaspoons	Warm spice note without overpowering heat
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon	Enhances sweetness and rounds flavors

Many home cooks make the mistake of adding too much cinnamon, resulting in an overly spicy butter that doesn't match the restaurant version. The key is maintaining the proper honey-to-cinnamon ratio that creates harmony between sweet and spice.

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

Follow these steps to create restaurant-quality honey cinnamon butter at home:

1. Allow one cup of unsalted butter to soften at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes
2. In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter with 1/4 cup honey, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3. Mix thoroughly using a hand mixer or sturdy spoon until completely uniform in color and texture
4. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl or shape into a log using plastic wrap
5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld
6. Serve slightly softened alongside warm dinner rolls

For best results, use high-quality honey with distinct floral notes rather than generic processed honey. The type of cinnamon matters too—opt for Saigon or Ceylon cinnamon for the most authentic flavor profile. Avoid adding salt, as the restaurant version relies on unsalted butter to control the sodium content precisely.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

While traditionally served with Texas Roadhouse's yeast rolls, this versatile compound butter works well with various breads and dishes:

• Bread pairings: Sourdough, brioche, and buttermilk biscuits
• Breakfast applications: Pancakes, waffles, and French toast
• Savory twists: Melt over roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash
• Dessert enhancement: Serve with warm apple pie or bread pudding

When serving with rolls, warm them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes before adding the butter. The slight warmth helps the butter melt into the bread without completely liquefying, creating the ideal eating experience that mimics the restaurant presentation.

Storage and Shelf Life

Proper storage maintains the quality and safety of your homemade honey cinnamon butter:

• Refrigerated: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks
• Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months
• Room temperature: Safe for serving for up to 2 hours

When freezing, shape the butter into a log using parchment paper, which makes it easy to slice portions as needed. Always use clean utensils when handling to prevent contamination. The honey acts as a natural preservative, extending the butter's shelf life compared to plain butter.

Common Recipe Variations

While the classic recipe satisfies most palates, these thoughtful variations accommodate different preferences:

• Reduced sugar version: Decrease honey to 3 tablespoons for a less sweet profile
• Cinnamon intensity adjustment: Reduce to 1 teaspoon for milder flavor or increase to 2 teaspoons for stronger spice
• Dairy-free alternative: Substitute with high-quality plant-based butter
• Floral enhancement: Add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract for additional complexity

Some home cooks experiment with adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for holiday variations, though these depart from the authentic Texas Roadhouse honey cinnamon butter flavor profile. For the most accurate recreation, stick to the four core ingredients without additions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy Texas Roadhouse honey cinnamon butter in stores?

Texas Roadhouse does not sell their signature honey cinnamon butter commercially. While some third-party companies offer similar products, none are officially licensed by Texas Roadhouse. The best option is recreating it at home using the simple recipe with common ingredients.

Why does my homemade version taste different from the restaurant's?

Differences often come from ingredient ratios or quality. Many home cooks use too much cinnamon, creating an overly spicy butter. The restaurant uses a precise 1:6 ratio of cinnamon to honey. Also, the quality of honey matters—use raw, unprocessed honey rather than generic supermarket varieties for the most authentic flavor.

Does Texas Roadhouse honey butter contain dairy?

Yes, the traditional Texas Roadhouse honey cinnamon butter is made with dairy butter. However, you can create a dairy-free version by substituting high-quality plant-based butter. The texture and melting properties differ slightly, but the flavor profile remains similar when using the proper honey and cinnamon ratios.

How can I make my honey cinnamon butter more like Texas Roadhouse's?

For the most authentic recreation, use unsalted butter, raw honey, and Saigon cinnamon in the precise ratio of 1 cup butter to 1/4 cup honey to 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Allow the mixture to rest refrigerated for at least 2 hours before serving to let the flavors fully develop, which mimics the restaurant's preparation process.

Can I make Texas Roadhouse honey butter without cinnamon?

Yes, Texas Roadhouse actually serves plain honey butter alongside the cinnamon version. To make honey butter without cinnamon, simply omit the cinnamon from the recipe while maintaining the other ingredients and ratios. Some locations may offer this upon request if you prefer a purely sweet butter without spice.