Soften butter is a very popular ingredient for many baked goods recipes - and it's also a key component in many sauces and creating puffy types of bread dough. Learn the way to soften butter in a pinch using chef tips.
If you've ever tried to learn how to soften butter only to find that you've made a melted butter mess and wasted time and money, you're not alone.
Let's walk through the steps of what techniques professionals use.
⬇️ Table of Contents
How To Quickly Soften Butter
Instructions call for butter to soften before use, only to be in the middle of the recipe, and all you have is frozen butter. Our guide will answer and solve this problem.
Cutting butter into cubes with a sharp knife will reduce the time spent softening the cold butter, and the reduced mass equals quicker softening, making it easier to work with when mixing dough and batters.
For faster results, cut butter into ½-inch pieces or smaller if desired. This method increases the surface area and the temperature of butter by about 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit; let it sit out on the counter.
You shouldn't use the microwave when baking, as it changes the butter's molecular structure and results in poor baking. The exception is times under 45 seconds.
What Temperature Does Butter Melt?
The melting point of butter is between 82 to 97 °F (28 to 26 °C). It depends on the amount of salt, milk fat content, and moisture.
How Long Does It Take To Soften Butter?
A cold stick of butter from the refrigerator is about 40ºF (4.4 ºC) and firm in texture. The softening time depends on where you choose to place the butter. It will take approximately 1-2 hours to come to room temperature before it's ready to use.
1) Soften Butter In The Microwave Method
It is possible to soften butter in the microwave, but it's a little tricky. The key is using medium power and flipping every five seconds. Cut the stick in half to speed up the process. This promotes even heat distribution. It will take about thirty-five seconds.
2) Steaming Butter: Microwave Method
Put your butter in a safe bowl with a cover or lid. Heat on high for 7 seconds and test softness by pressing on the butter with your finger. When it's soft, you're done; if not, continue to use checking softness every 5-10 second intervals until soft.
3) Microwave Water Bath Method
This is a quick and easy technique that doesn't require very much work.
- Heat the water in a large bowl to create warm conditions.
- Place the butter in a protective plastic bag.
- Then into the warm water for 5 to 10 minutes to soften the butter without melting.
4) Soften Butter Using A Box Grater Method
One of the easiest ways to soften butter is by using a cheese grater/box grater. All that needs to be done is to place the stick of butter on top of the grater on the widest size setting.
5) Soften Butter Using A KitchenAid Method
Using an electric mixer creates friction from the fast-moving attachment. Make sure to help the stand mixer by cutting the butter into smaller pieces.
Allow the mixer to run until you see the butter's texture change. This speeds up the process. Once the butter has softened after whipping, let the butter sit in the mixer for another 5 minutes. Good time to measure out the other ingredients for your recipe.
Filling the stand mixer with hot water before mixing will speed up results. Then pour the hot water out before mixing. If you have very hot water available, reduce the water temperature.
6) Pound The Butter It Out Method
Place a stick of butter between two pieces of plastic or wax paper and pound it thin. Pound the whole thing flat with a rolling pin until the butter has softened to your desired consistency.
Butter FAQs
How Do You Make Butter?
To make butter, cream/fat is first separated from milk/whey by turning it into curdled milk with the aid of bacterial culture or an acid. The curds are then pressed and washed to remove the excess liquid.
Salt is added, and after that, churning can begin. The cream is turned into butter through persistent stirring, which aligns the fat globules until they stick together.
What Does "Cultured Butter" Mean?
Culture refers to the process of taking bacteria and allowing them to grow inside a nutrient solution until they reach the desired levels. Bacteria in cultured milk products are used in order to bring out certain flavors not found when milk is pasteurized.
What Does Churning Butter Mean?
Churning refers to a process for making whipped cream or butter. It involves rapidly agitating cream/fat to form butter.
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📖 Recipe Card
How To Soften Butter
Ingredients
- 1 stick Butter 4oz of Butter
Instructions
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SOFTEN BUTTER
- A cold stick of butter straight from the refrigerator is about 40ºF (4.4 ºC) and firm in texture. The softening time depends on where you choose to place your pastry dish or pot. To get the butter at room temperature, it will be approximately 1-2 hours.
HOW TO QUICKLY SOFTEN BUTTER
- Cut butter into cubes with a sharp knife to cut down the time spent softening the butter, making it easier to work with when mixing doughs and batters. For faster results, cut butter into ½-inch pieces or smaller if desired. This method increases the temperature of butter by about 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, so let it sit on the counter.Do not microwave butter when baking, as it changes butter's molecular structure and leads to poor baking results.
MICROWAVE METHODS
- It is possible to soften butter in the microwave, but it's a little tricky. The key is using medium power and flipping your stick every five seconds so that even heat distribution can be achieved with this method. It will take about thirty-five seconds.
MICROWAVE STEAMING
- Put your stick of butter in a microwave-safe bowl or cup and place in the microwave. Heat on high for five seconds and test softness by pressing on the butter with your finger. If it's soft, you're done; if not, continue microwaving and checking softness every 5-10 second intervals until soft.
MICROWAVE WATER BATH
- This is a quick and easy technique that doesn't require very much work. Simply microwave some water to create warm conditions in which you can then place your butter in a protective bag in the warm water for 5 to 10 minutes.
GRATING THE BUTTER
- One of the easiest ways to soften butter is by using a cheese grater. All that needs to be done is to place the stick of butter on top of the grater on the widest pore size setting. Just make sure that no other ingredients get mixed into the butter while doing this.
CREAM THE BUTTER USING A STAND MIXER
- Using an electric mixer creates friction from the fast-moving whipping attachment. Help the mixer by cutting the butter into smaller pieces.Allow the mixer to run until you see the change in the texture of the butter. This speeds up the process. Once the butter has begun to soften after whipping, let the butter sit in the mixer for another 5 to 10 minutes. Good time to measure out the other ingredients in your recipe.Filling the stand mixer with hot water before mixing will speed up results. Then pour the hot water out before mixing. If you have very hot water reduce the water temperature.
POUNDING OUT THE BUTTER
- Place a stick of butter between plastic or wax paper and pound it with a rolling pin. Pound the whole thing flat with a rolling pin until it has softened to your desired consistency.
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