What type of countertop can I cut and router myself?

a 4 foot section is to big to be a scrap piece.

Just take a trip to your home center

there are unlimited opinions you can use.

you can get pre formed laminate counter top for about $10 a foot

Shelving will make a good counter top.

you can also you finished 3/4 plywood and wrap in 1x2's

your certainly right that you can. In this case I would buy a nice piece of maybe 1x6 maple which will give you a about an inch and a half of overhang from the 2x4. you can router the edge to whatever profile you like and nail into place giving you a little ledge to put candles or some crap on. Stain and/or clearcoat before you nail the piece down. Maple 1x6 is about 2-3 per linear foot you could also use pine, aspen, cherry, walnut, the posibilites are endless and it just depends upon your use and needs. In regards to routering the edge I mention maple, becasue it is a tad softer than other hard woods. Oak, red oak would be good and cheap too. Pine is a little too soft, Cherry is kind of expensive but beautiful, Birch is nice and cheap, but a bit soft, poplar is good but doesn't have good grain, so it's great for painting. Etc...

ike a cutting board is. Its flat and presanded and cheap. I used it to make a table

EDIT, WELL YOU goof ball ,, jeezz,,why didnt you include that in you question!!! not wood then go buy some soap stone, or like "some kinda scrap like stuff".