It is possible to make butter with just one ingredient and one tool. To make delicious homemade butter, all you need is fresh cream and a jar. Butter can be seasoned with salt or herbs. You can use it for cooking or spread it on toast.
Ingrediants
- Fresh cream
- 1 jar with lid and seal
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Start the Process
Step 1. Fill the jar halfway with cream
Pour the cream into the bowl. Just fill it halfway. The exact amount of cream to use depends on the size of the jar, but typically around 160ml is used.
Step 2. Shake the jar
Close the bowl and shake it vigorously until the cream begins to turn into butter. This process requires some effort and the results are not immediate. Try to be patient and keep shaking the jar. At some point the butter will begin to form.
- After a while the cream will start to solidify and take on a yellowish color similar to that of butter.
- You will also see that some liquid will separate from the butter. This is a normal part of the process. In fact, consider that not all the cream will turn into butter. It is common for buttermilk to form on the surface.
- Continue shaking the jar until there is a clear separation between the butter at the bottom of the bowl and the liquid at the top.
Step 3. Remove excess liquid
Open the jar and take a plastic container. Slowly pour the liquid that has formed in the top of the jar. This is buttermilk, a by-product of butter processing used to make various baked goods. If you are in the habit of making sweets, it can be helpful to keep it.
- Don't worry if some butter slips out as you pour the buttermilk. You can remove it from the container and put it back in the jar with the help of a spoon.
- Since the butter can slip off, don't drain the buttermilk down the sink. Even if you intend to throw it away, pour it into a container anyway.
Part 2 of 3: Complete the Butter Preparation
Step 1. Adjust salt as desired
A pinch of salt helps intensify the flavor of the butter. Without salt it could in fact be a bit bland. Sprinkle it over the butter until you get the desired taste.
If you're going to use it in a recipe that calls for unsalted butter, avoid adding this ingredient
Step 2. Store the butter in the fridge
Keep the butter in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. You can leave it in the jar itself or move it to a plastic container.
Step 3. Remove excess buttermilk if you don't need to use butter right away
Homemade butter has a shorter shelf life than bought butter. If you're not going to use it right away, you should get rid of the excess buttermilk. This way the butter will last a little longer.
- Hold the butter under cold water as you go through the procedure. Knead it with your hands until it is more compact and filter a good part of the buttermilk. You have to work it for a few minutes.
- This process is very dirty. In fact, to mix the homemade butter your hands will get dirty a lot.
Part 3 of 3: Using Butter
Step 1. Add some herbs
Butter can be flavored using herbs. If you are against using salt, these ingredients can also make it tastier. Herbs are perfect if you plan to use it for a particular dish, such as garlic bread.
- Choose a combination of herbs that you like. For example, opt for basil, oregano, and garlic powder to make a classic Italian condiment.
- Herbs like rosemary and thyme also go well with butter.
Step 2. Use butter for cooking
Homemade butter is great for making desserts and other baked goods. It can in fact add a fresh and creamy note.
Since homemade butter can be a little more liquid than regular butter, you may want to knead it under running water before using it for cooking
Step 3. Serve the butter with the bread
Homemade butter can be spread on bread. Many people find it fresher and tastier than other types of butter. Try spreading it on toast, bagels, scones, and other types of bread.
