This easy kitchen hack will ensure that you’re not stuck waiting on butter to soften on its own ever again!
Instructions on How to Soften Butter
This process is incredibly easy and will soften your butter *without* running the risk of melting it into a puddle. Let’s get to it!
- Fill a microwave-safe glass measuring cup (like THIS one) almost all the way to the top with water.
- Microwave the water-filled measuring cup for 2 minutes.
- While the water is heating in the microwave, set your cold butter upright (feel free to cut the stick in half if needed) on a plate that is larger in diameter than the measuring cup.
- Once the measuring cup is out of the microwave, carefully pour the hot water out (either in the sink or, totally unrelated to the butter, into a mug for a nice, hot cup of tea!).
- Place the now-empty hot measuring cup upside down over the plate of butter so that a steamy dome is created.
- Let the butter sit under the hot measuring cup for 3-5 minutes, until softened!
Why would you want to make butter soft?
Good question! Many recipes actually call for softened butter. Baking recipes, specifically, tend to call for softened butter so that it can be easily mixed in with the other ingredients, but isn’t so hot and melted that it’s going to start cooking the other ingredients (like the eggs, for example). It’s also really nice to have a stick of softened butter to swipe onto a piece of bread (regular or classic pumpkin bread — you do you!).
How to Soften Butter Without Melting
For softened — but not melted — butter, follow the directions above! This is truly the most fail-proof way to get your butter to a perfect consistency every single time.
Is it easy to soften butter quickly?
If you’re following this recipe, I say, “YES!” It’s super easy and takes very little time. It’s definitely way, way quicker than just setting your butter out to soften on its own!
How long to soften butter?
This process takes no longer than 10 minutes: about 3-4 minutes to grab your supplies and microwave the water, and then 3-5 more minutes to soften the butter. So quick!
Is it better to soften butter fast?
It isn’t necessarily *better* to soften your butter more quickly, but it certainly is more convenient. I don’t know about you, but 9 times out of 10, when I realize I need softened butter, I need it ASAP, so I don’t have time to wait for the butter to soften on its own on the counter …ENTER this fabulous method!
How do you keep butter soft?
While most people do agree that you can leave softened salted butter on the counter for a couple of weeks, but I (Brandi) actually tend to only soften the amount I need for a recipe. Because this recipe is so quick and easy, I have no problem softening more butter each time I need to!
What recipes require the butter soft?
Lots of recipes, actually! Here are several that call for softened butter:
- Blueberry Bars
- Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies
- Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
- White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Gluten Free Jam Thumbprint Cookies
- No Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars
How to Soften Butter
Ingredients
- Water to fill measuring cup
- 1 stick butter
Instructions
- Fill a microwave-safe glass measuring cup almost all the way to the top with water.
- Microwave the water-filled measuring cup for 2 minutes.
- While the water is heating in the microwave, set your cold butter upright (feel free to cut the stick in half if needed) on a plate that is larger in diameter than the measuring cup.
- Once the measuring cup is out of the microwave, carefully pour the hot water out and place the now-empty measuring cup upside down over the plate of butter so that a steamy dome is created.
- Let the butter sit under the hot measuring cup for 3-5 minutes, until softened!
Nutrition
