If there’s one thing to know about Nigella Lawson, it’s that she never settles for anything less than delicious. Food is never simply fuel – every meal, every mouthful is a small moment of perfect pleasure. So we were not at all surprised to learn that the ‘domestic goddess’ and new Great British Bake Off judge has even managed to elevate the humble slice of toast from everyday aliment to near-religious experience. And we are here to spread the good word to you. 

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How does Nigella Lawson butter her toast?

While the rest of us have been maybe scraping a bit of Lurpak onto a half-toasted slice before dashing out the door to catch the bus, Nigella’s toast-making method is more of a ritual. A benediction of butter, if you will. She calls it the “two-stage buttering approach”.

First, she spreads a good layer of unsalted butter straight onto piping hot toast – all the way to the edges, of course – so that it melts into the crispy bread. This gives it what she calls a “crumpetty bite”.  Then, once that has settled, she slathers on another layer of butter, thick enough to make a cardiologist issue a formal press release. Her reasoning is perfection: this second application of butter will stay “in golden patches on the surface”. You can just imagine sinking your teeth into it…

But she’s not done yet. While you may well be drooling harder than a Saint Bernard by this stage, there is still one more crucial step to go.

Finally, Nigella sprinkles some salt flakes over the top, creating what she calls “the Platonic ideal of toast”. And we could not agree more. 

So, if you’re still buttering your toast like a mere mortal, consider this your invitation to join the cult of the double slather. It’s indulgent, it’s excessive and it’s arguably the most productive thing you’ll do all morning. 

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