Making butter at home is surprisingly simple, super fun and so rewarding! As aspiring homesteaders, this is one of our favorite weekend activities. The rich flavor and freshness of homemade butter is something store-bought butter simply can’t match. By crafting your own butter, you control the ingredients, ensuring purity and avoiding additives or preservatives. Making your own butter also means the sky is the limit. You control everything from the type of cream to adding herbs, spices, or even different sea salts to suit your taste.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make your own fresh butter.
INGREDIENTS
Heavy cream (notes: 1 pint or more, depending on how much butter you want to make. 1 pint of cream will make roughly 1-1/4 cups of finished butter. Always use the richest cream you can find, aiming for 35% or 40% fat.)
EQUIPMENT
Stand mixer with a whisk attachment (or a hand mixer)
Medium Bowl
Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
Spatula
Cold water
Container for storing butter
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Chill Your Equipment
Before starting, make sure your mixing bowl and beaters are chilled. This helps the cream whip more effectively.
Step 2: Pour Cream into Bowl
Pour the heavy cream into the mixing bowl. You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer. If using a stand mixer, attach the whisk.
Step 3: Whip the Cream
Begin mixing the cream on medium speed. First, it will turn into whipped cream. Continue mixing until the cream thickens and the butter starts to separate from the buttermilk. This process takes about 10 minutes, but it can vary.
Step 4: Separate Butter and Buttermilk
Once the cream has separated, you will notice clumps of butter and a milky liquid (which is the buttermilk). Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to drain the buttermilk from the butter. You can save the buttermilk for baking, cooking, or making a creamy dressing.
Step 5: Knead the Butter
Place the butter in a clean bowl. Pour cold water over it and knead with a spatula or your hands to remove any remaining buttermilk. You may need to rinse and knead the butter a few times until the water runs clear.
Step 6: Season (Optional)
If you plan to cook with your butter, we strongly suggest adding salt. This gives it flavor and also helps in the preservation. The suggested amount is 1/4 teaspoon per 4oz or 113g of butter. If you plan to bake with your butter, you can choose to leave it unsalted for more prescise baking. If you like, you can also season your butter with a pinch of herbs. Just mix it in thoroughly.
Step 7: Shape and Store the Butter
Once you're finished, you can shape your butter into sticks using or paddles or simply store it in a bowl. Transfer the butter to a container. Store it in the refrigerator if you’ll be using it within a couple of weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze it.
And that’s it! You’ve made homemade butter. Enjoy it on bread, in sandwiches, over grilled vegetables, melted over chicken or steak, or in any of your other favorite recipes!
ABOUT THE CHEF & THE DISH
The Chef & The Dish has chefs around the world that you video conference into your kitchen for a private 1:1 virtual cooking class. Learn how to make pasta with a chef video calling you live from Italy, Pad Thai with a chef virtually in your kitchen live from Thailand. Together you cook, share stories, laugh and make a multi course meal together. Rated 'Best Date Night,' 'Best Gifts,' and "Best Cooking Classes" by WSJ, Forbes, Vanity Fair, Martha Stewart, Rolling Stone and tens more. Transport your kitchen for the day.™
Comments