Homemade butter is a pure, simple delight that elevates any dish it's added to. There's something truly special about spreading your own cream-made butter on a warm piece of toast or adding a dollop to a hot stack of pancakes. This recipe will guide you to make your own butter at home using just a single ingredient.
The main ingredient for this recipe is cold heavy whipping cream. It is a dairy product with a high-fat content that can be easily found in the dairy section of most supermarkets. It's the cream that rises to the top of whole milk. It can be whipped into whipped cream or churned into butter.
Homemade Butter Recipe Ingredients
Heavy whipping cream: This is the miracle ingredient that turns into butter. It's a dairy product that's rich in fats, which is exactly what we need to churn into butter. Make sure it's cold before you start the process.
One reader, Clarine Heinz says:
This homemade butter recipe is a game-changer! It's so easy to make and the taste is unparalleled. The satisfaction of creating your own butter is unbeatable. Plus, it's a great way to impress guests with a unique and delicious addition to any meal. Highly recommended!
Techniques Required for Making Butter from Scratch
How to make homemade butter: A simple process of shaking cold heavy whipping cream until it separates into solid butter and liquid buttermilk. How to strain the butter: After shaking the cream, pour the contents into a fine mesh strainer to separate the solid butter from the liquid buttermilk.
How To Make How to Make Homemade Butter
Make your own homemade butter with the help of our recipe. You just need heavy whipping cream and lots of arm power for whipping.
Serves:
Ingredients
- ⅔cupcold heavy whipping cream
Instructions
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Pour cream into the jar and screw on the lid. Shake the jar for 15 to 20 minutes until butter forms a soft lump. Continue to shake until buttermilk separates out of the lump and the jar contains a solid lump of butter and liquid buttermilk.
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Pour contents of the jar into a fine mesh strainer and strain out the buttermilk, leaving the solid butter. Remove the lump of butter and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until needed.
Nutrition
- Calories: 136.85kcal
- Fat: 14.68g
- Saturated Fat: 9.14g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4.24g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.55g
- Carbohydrates: 1.11g
- Sugar: 1.11g
- Protein: 0.81g
- Cholesterol: 54.34mg
- Sodium: 15.07mg
- Calcium: 25.78mg
- Potassium: 29.75mg
- Iron: 0.01mg
- Vitamin A: 163.03µg
- Vitamin C: 0.24mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Homemade Butter Success
To ensure your butter has a smooth and creamy texture, it's important to shake the jar consistently and at a steady pace. If you shake too vigorously, the butter may not form correctly. Also, using cold heavy whipping cream is crucial as it helps in the formation of the butter. Lastly, don't discard the buttermilk that separates out. It can be used in various other recipes like pancakes or biscuits, adding a rich and tangy flavor.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Homemade Butter
Chill the cream: Before starting, chill the heavy whipping cream in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This will help the butter form more quickly when shaken.
Use a jar with a tight lid: Ensure the jar you use has a secure and tight-fitting lid to prevent any leaks while shaking.
Add a clean marble: Placing a clean marble in the jar can help expedite the butter-forming process by agitating the cream more effectively.
Rinse the butter: After straining out the buttermilk, rinse the solid butter under cold water to remove any remaining buttermilk. This helps extend the butter's shelf life.
Add flavorings: Customize your homemade butter by adding flavorings such as sea salt, honey, or herbs for a unique and delicious spread.
Substitute Ingredients For Homemade Butter Recipe
- heavy whipping cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream can provide a similar richness and creaminess to your recipe, while also adding a hint of coconut flavor.
- heavy whipping cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can be used as a lower-fat alternative to heavy whipping cream, providing a tangy flavor and creamy texture to your dish.
How to Present Your Homemade Butter
Elevate the butter: Mold the butter into a beautiful shape using a small mold or shaping it by hand. This will add an elegant touch to the presentation.
Incorporate fresh herbs: Garnish the butter with a sprig of rosemary or thyme to add a pop of color and a hint of freshness.
Artfully arrange on a serving dish: Place the butter on a chilled serving dish and use a small offset spatula to create elegant swirls or peaks for a visually appealing presentation.
Accompany with artisanal bread: Serve the homemade butter alongside freshly baked baguette or sourdough for a rustic and inviting presentation.
Add a sprinkle of sea salt: Finish the butter with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt to enhance the flavor and add a touch of sophistication.
Essential Tools for Making Butter at Home
Food processor: A food processor can be used to quickly and efficiently mix and churn the cream into butter. It helps to separate the butter from the buttermilk.
Mason jar: A mason jar is essential for making homemade butter. It allows you to shake the cream until it forms into a lump of butter and separates from the buttermilk.
Fine mesh strainer: A fine mesh strainer is used to strain out the buttermilk from the solid butter after it has been churned in the mason jar. This helps to separate the liquid from the butter.
Storing and Freezing Your Homemade Butter
Storing homemade butter:
- Wrap the butter tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing other flavors in the refrigerator.
- Homemade butter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- To extend the shelf life of your homemade butter, you can add a pinch of salt to the cream before churning. This will help preserve the butter and prevent it from spoiling too quickly.
Freezing homemade butter:
- Cut the butter into smaller portions or shape it into a log before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or placing it in a freezer-safe container.
- Label the wrapped butter with the date it was made before placing it in the freezer.
- Homemade butter can be frozen for up to 6 months.
- When ready to use the frozen butter, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, use the butter within a week for best quality.
Interesting Fact About Homemade Butter
Butter is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It is also a good source of healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A, E, and K.
Is Making Butter at Home Cost-Effective?
This homemade butter recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. With just one ingredient, heavy whipping cream, it offers a budget-friendly alternative to store-bought butter. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $2, making it an economical choice. The overall verdict for this recipe is 9/10, considering its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and the satisfaction of creating a staple ingredient from scratch.
Is Homemade Butter Healthy or Unhealthy?
The homemade butter recipe, while simple and easy to make, is not particularly healthy. Here's why:
- High in saturated fat: Heavy whipping cream, the main ingredient in this recipe, is high in saturated fat. Consuming too much saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health issues.
- Low in nutrients: This recipe does not include any additional ingredients that could provide essential nutrients, such as vitamins or minerals.
- Calorie-dense: Due to its high fat content, butter is calorie-dense, meaning it contains a large number of calories in a small serving size. This can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Use a portion of the butter in combination with healthier spreads like mashed avocado, hummus, or nut butters to reduce the overall saturated fat content
- Incorporate the butter into recipes that include nutrient-dense ingredients, such as whole grain bread, vegetables, or lean proteins, to create a more balanced meal or snack
- Use the butter sparingly and in moderation, as a little can go a long way in terms of flavor
- Experiment with making butter from grass-fed cow's milk, which may contain slightly higher levels of beneficial nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin K2
Editor's Opinion on Making Butter at Home
This homemade butter recipe is a simple and fun way to create your own delicious butter at home. The process of shaking the cream until it forms into butter is a great hands-on activity, especially for kids. The resulting butter is rich and creamy, perfect for spreading on toast or using in your favorite recipes. However, it's important to note that the yield of butter may be small, so if you need a larger quantity, you may want to adjust the recipe accordingly. Overall, this homemade butter recipe is a delightful and rewarding culinary project.
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Why trust this Homemade Butter Recipe:
This homemade butter recipe is a foolproof way to create your own butter at home. With just one ingredient - heavy whipping cream - you can easily make creamy, rich butter that is free from preservatives and additives. By using the freshest heavy whipping cream, you can ensure the quality and taste of your homemade butter. This recipe provides a hands-on experience, allowing you to appreciate the process of churning cream into delicious butter. Plus, the resulting buttermilk can be used in other recipes, making it a zero-waste endeavor.
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