Provençal Butter Candle in a Bread
Provençal Butter Candle in a Bread is a easy French recipe that serves 4. 250 calories per serving. Recipe by Roxane's Workshop on YouTube.
Prep: 2 hrs 20 min | Cook: PT0M | Total: 2 hrs 35 min
Cost: $6.80 total, $1.70 per serving
Ingredients
- 250 g Unsalted butter (unsalted, at room temperature)
- 1 tsp Fleur de sel (to enhance flavor)
- 1 tsp Herbes de Provence (or fresh chopped rosemary)
- 1 piece Bread boule (country style) (slightly crusty bread, not too baked)
- 1 piece Candle wick (cotton, about 12 cm)
- 1 small roll Clear Scotch tape (to secure the wick to the cup)
- 1 piece Glass cup (or small jar) (diameter about 5 cm)
Instructions
Melt the butter
Cut the butter into cubes and place it in the bowl. Add the fleur de sel and the Herbes de Provence. Melt in the microwave for 30 s at maximum power, then stir. If using a saucepan, heat over low heat while stirring until the pieces disappear.
Time: PT5M
Prepare the wick
Cut the wick to about 12 cm. Wrap a small piece of tape around the base to keep it centered in the cup.
Time: PT2M
Pour the melted butter into the cup
Pour the melted butter into the cup until reaching the desired height (about 3 cm).
Time: PT2M
Insert the wick
Place the wick in the center of the cup, the taped part against the glass, then wrap a bit of tape around the cup to hold it in place.
Time: PT2M
Freeze the butter candle
Place the cup in the freezer for at least 2 hours, until the butter is completely solid.
Time: PT2H
Prepare the bread
While the butter solidifies, place the cup upside down on top of the bread. Trace the outline with a knife, then cut a circle about 5 cm in diameter. Remove the central disc and make thin slices around the circle to facilitate later removal.
Time: PT10M
Insert the butter candle into the bread
Remove the cup from the freezer, gently peel off the tape, then place the butter candle into the bread hole. The wick should remain centered.
Time: PT2M
Serve
Place the bread on a platter. Each guest can dip slices into the melted butter at the center. Enjoy immediately.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 250
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbohydrates
- 15 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Dietary info: vegetarian, low-carb, low-calorie
Allergens: lactose, gluten
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Unsalted butter: semi-salted butter
- Instead of Fleur de sel: sea salt
- Instead of Herbes de Provence: rosemary, thyme
- Instead of Bread boule (country style): ciabatta bread, walnut bread
- Instead of Candle wick: wick salvaged from an old candle
- Instead of Clear Scotch tape: food-grade adhesive tape
- Instead of Glass cup (or small jar): small ceramic jar
Equipment Needed
- Microwave or saucepan
- Heat‑resistant bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Bread knife
- Cutting board
- Scissors
- Freezer
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Melt the butter without burning
- Freeze long enough to obtain a solid candle
- Cut a clean hole in the bread without crushing it
- Position the wick at the center of the butter
Chef Tips from the Video
- Add a pinch of ground black pepper for a subtle kick.
- Replace Herbes de Provence with lemon thyme for a fresher note.
- Serve with a dry white wine or a light rosé.
Troubleshooting
The butter did not solidify after 2 hours.
Extend freezing by an additional 30 minutes or place the cup in the coldest part of the freezer.
The bread cracks during cutting.
Use a slightly less baked bread or enlarge the cutting circle.
The wick moves while melting.
Secure the base of the wick with strong tape or use a small wooden stick.
Storage
Refrigerator: The butter candle can be kept for 2 days in the refrigerator, well wrapped.
Freezer: Can be refrozen for up to 1 month, but the butter texture changes slightly.
Room temperature: Consume within 2 hours of setup, otherwise the butter will melt.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the butter candle the day before and keep it in the freezer.
- The bread can be sliced ahead of time and stored in a paper bag.
Last updated: August 20, 2026
