Let’s Make Butter

I was one stick short on butter whilst preparing breakfast. Just as I was about to send one of the children to the neighbors to help me out in a pinch, I found a full container of heavy cream in fridge.

Giddy with excitement, I prepared the butter I needed and some extra for later. Making butter is one of those kitchen tricks I don’t often take advantage of. When I learned how simple it was it tapped into that very specific joy when realizing I can make what I often feel I have to buy at the grocery store.

Do you know that feeling?

This is a rough and generalized recipe but here’s how to do it:

First, put the cold, heavy cream —a cup or two—in a stand mixture.

Whip on medium-high to high speed as if making whipped cream. Just keep going past the point of medium, soft peaks.

When the mixture gets thicker and stiffer keep going. We’ll begin to see a yellow tinge to the cream; a good sign the cream is near splitting and that’s what we want.

When it looks as if the thick cream has begun to curdle, grab a kitchen towel and cover the entire machine. Things are about to get messy. As the cream separates there will be splattering.

Once the solids collect in a heap on the whisk you’re done mixing. Turn off the mixer and remove the whisk attachment.

Lay out a ceramic dish, parchment paper or plastic wrap in preparation for the next steps.

With clean fingers, detach the butter solids from the whisk and put them back into the bowl with the liquid (I think this is called whey, right?). This is a great time to add a pinch or two of salt, if you want salted butter. I usually shape the butter the way I want and depending on its purpose may sprinkle finishing salt on top of the formed disk of butter before chilling it.

Squeeze the whey from the butter solids with your hands. This is fun and messy.

Once the butter solids stop releasing the watery whey, shape it how you’d like. A great time to add pretty herbs or finishing salt.

Place the butter in your prepared dish or paper until ready to enjoy with bread or in baking recipes.