We have all had the struggle of spreading hard butter on toast or even harder challenge on soft bread. I need softened butter for baking and the air fryer daily. I have 7 ways to soften refrigerated or frozen butter. See which method is best for you to soften your butter.
How to soften refrigerated or frozen butter 7 ways:
1. Leave butter at room temperature for 1- 2 hours
This method is the easiest on this list but also requires the most time at 1-2 hours. There are days I am planning dinner last minute, let’s be honest, most days and this method is not practical most days for my lifestyle. On average room temperature is 70 degrees.
2. Grate the butter into shreds with a grater
Grate the refrigerated or frozen butter into shreds similar to how you would grate a block of cheese. Frozen butter works best for this method as it is easier to hold and grip in your hand.
3. Microwave the refrigerated or frozen butter
Remove the paper or foil wrapper before placing the butter on a heat resistant plate or bowl. As a general rule, microwave in 10 second increments to prevent melting. Butter melting can happen quickly in the microwave.
4. Pound and flatten butter
Place the butter in a small storage plastic bag. First pound the butter using the rolling pin then use the same rolling pin to flatten the butter.
5. Cut the butter into small cubes
Cutting the butter into small cubes increases the surface area. The butter will melt at room temperature faster.
6. Soften butter with a hot water bath
Fill a glass container or cup that can easily cover the butter without squishing the butter with hot boiling water. The Keurig coffee maker is a great method to get hot water fast without boiling. Leave the hot water on average for 5 minutes into the glass container or cup then empty the glass container or cup of the hot water. Place the empty glass container or cup on top of the butter without squishing the butter. Allow the heat from the cup to soften the butter.
7. Soften butter with a double boiler method
Place the butter into a small heat resistant bowl or Mason jar. Place this container into a water bath on the stove. Do not allow the water in the water bath to touch the butter in the small heat resistant bowl or Mason jar. Slowly increase the temperature of the water bath on the stove to achieve soften butter.
What does soften butter look like?
You will know you have soften butter when the butter looks creamy and is spreadable. You can easily place a bulge into the butter with your finger by touching it. Soften butter should not leave a puddle.
Why do you need soften butter?
We have all had the struggle of spreading hard butter on toast or even harder challenge on soft bread. With hard butter you are left with spots of butter on your toast and lots of rips in your bread trying to spread the hard butter on. It is you versus butter and the butter has won.
Should you use salted or unsalted butter?
As a general rule you should use unsalted butter unless the recipe calls to use salted butter. Unsalted butter allows you to be precise and control the amount of salt you want to add into a recipe. However, do not fret or worry if you only have salted butter. Most people use what they have stocked in their refrigerator or freezer. Salted and unsalted butter can easily be swapped for one another in recipes.