I remember how I learned to make homemade butter. It was purely by accident, and while I was doing so, I was gently being reminded not to do it the way I was. I was barely 8 or 9 years old. I was hanging out in my grandma’s kitchen while she made dinner. I use to love hanging out in her kitchen, attempting to help in some way. She was letting me make whipped cream for dessert. I was always so excited about this. She had this old hand mixer that I loved to play with. I was whipping the cream, and eagerly waiting to start sprinkling in the sugar, while I was tasting a little, here and there. She kept saying, “don’t let it turn to butter”. Butter? My other guilty pleasure? That is when I learned, if I didn’t pay attention we would have a pot of butter instead of sweet whipped cream. Now when I want to impress at a dinner party, I make homemade butter to serve with bread. It is always WOW factor.
If we are enjoying a special meal or some really fantastic baked bread, then I take the time to make butter. What a WOW it is to serve guests, as well. The other morning we had some freshly baked bread, so I decided it was time for some great butter to serve with our breakfast of soft boiled eggs.
It is really easy to make butter at home and can be made right before serving. If you have children, this is a fun project to get them involved in the kitchen. You must start with a high-quality heavy cream, it makes a big difference in taste. Splurge on this. And use a really good salt for seasoning. That is that. Simple. Here, are step by step photo instructions for you to follow along. Now go make butter.
Enjoy.
Homemade Butter
Ingredients:
- 1-pint high-quality heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon grey salt
Step 1: Pour the heavy cream into a mixing bowl. Beating at medium speed (about a 4 on my mixer) for 3 minutes.
Step 2: After about 3 minutes, you begin to get whipped cream. Turn the speed up to a 6.
Step 3: After 5 minutes the cream is beginning to turn yellow and is looking like butter. Keep beating at about a 6.
Step 4: The mixture is starting to break down and you can begin to see the “buttermilk” start to separate from the butter. Continue beating.
Step 5: About 12 minutes from starting you will have butter. It will form a ball on the whisk attachment.
Step 6: Drain the butter and then rinse. Repeat the whisking process to extract more of the water mixture, until there is only a small amount left. It will only take a couple of minutes. Then rinse once more. Let set in the sink about 5 minutes to drain.
Step 7: Return the butter to the mixing bowl. Add the salt. At a medium speed, about a 4 on my mixer, mix until creamy.
Step 8: Serve.
Kirsty @GoodTasteGuide
Friday 24th of February 2012
This is a beautiful post. I can't wait to try it on my own, and I can't wait to add all the delicacies I love with it: Herbs de Provence, honey like Brian, or maybe even something lovely and spicy!
Athena
Friday 24th of February 2012
I've been dying to make butter and think this is the weekend! Thanks for the great tutorial. Which heavy cream do you use/recommend?
Simone Woods
Wednesday 22nd of February 2012
My husband loves to show the kids how to turn cream into butter. He uses a jar and shakes it. The kids love it. Great post.
Jane Lee (@butteredupJL)
Tuesday 21st of February 2012
THAT'S IT??? Is it a whole lot better than store-bought butter? Thanks for sharing! I'm definitely making this.
Emilia
Monday 20th of February 2012
Oh my gosh, I cannot believe that I am not running to my kitchen now to try this! Honestly, I had no idea that if you beat heavy cream for long enough it would turn into butter. This sounds like such a fun project, especially if there is homemade bread around :)