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How to make homemade butter

Introduction

Although butter has been around since the days of the ancient Egyptians, when you think of making butter, chances are you're envisioning the wooden butter churns of the pioneers and an overworked farm woman ripping off the paddle. It was like that for a long time, but over time those labor-intensive battles faded away, replaced by big glass jars with mechanical paddles (think egg beater) that made the process easier. But by the end of the 19th century, commercial dairies were distributing affordable packaged butter, and the age-old chore of churning butter at home faded away. Until now.

With a growing trend toward urban housing, artisanal food, and DIY in general, home churned butter is on the rise. Hand crank mixers are available and you can even produce a passable butter by putting heavy cream in a jar and churning like the dickens for longer than that is fun but for those of us who like a bit of modern convenience on our farm , preserves and preserves. Free butter can be made at home without the need to bulge your biceps. Break out the mixer and let's get started!

Step 1

How to make homemade butter

Collect the ingredients

A pint of heavy cream (preferably organic), a bit of salt, and some serious stirring through a stand mixer are all it takes to make fresh butter, with no commercial additives.

Step 2

How to make homemade butter

Start whipping the cream

Pour a pint of cream into the mixing bowl and mix on medium-high speed using the whisk attachment. Use a splash guard, if available.

Step 3

How to make homemade butter

Churn Phase:Thicken

In a short time, the cream will reach the state of whipped cream. Keep going!

Stage 4

How to make homemade butter

Churn Phase:Chunkiness

After five or six minutes, the cream will begin to graze and look crumbly.

Step 5

How to make homemade butter

Churn Phase:Fat Separation

Once fully agitated, the fat and liquid will separate, usually in a somewhat dramatic time as the liquid is released.

Step 6

How to make homemade butter

Separated butter and buttermilk

Pour out the liquid. That dairy stuff is buttermilk which can be used as one would use commercially purchased buttermilk. Perhaps to make shortbread cookies to spread your homemade butter on?

Step 7

How to make homemade butter

Continue churning the butter

Return drained butter to mixer and beat on medium speed until smooth.

Step 8

How to make homemade butter

Knead

Using a spatula, work the butter into a ball and transfer it to a bowl of ice water. Knead gently to remove the rest of the butter. The water will turn greyish. This will prolong the shelf life of the butter and prevent the development of a "sour milk" smell. If you plan to use the butter immediately, you can skip this step.

Step 9

How to make homemade butter

Drain the water

Pour out the water and repeat, if necessary, until the water drains.

Step 10

How to make homemade butter

Add flavors

Return the butter to the mixer, add 1/4 teaspoon salt, and mix one minute to combine. In this step, you can also customize your homemade butter by adding herbs, spices, or sweeteners.

Step 11

How to make homemade butter

Container and Refrigeration

All ready! Your homemade butter can be formed into a log and wrapped in plastic wrap or parchment paper or packaged in recycled butter pots, jars, or containers for storage. Store in refrigerator for up to two weeks.