How to Soften Butter

   It's Saturday morning, and you have planned lots of work for this day. Running some quick errands, cleaning the house, doing some laundry, and then bake something delicious. After all that work, when you finally get to bake something, you realize you totally forgot to take out the butter from the fridge.
   I am sure many of you can relate to the above example. I surely can relate, because I've been there many times. Let me share with you my easy tips on how to soften butter easily and quickly.

  
   Why we need soften butter
   Many recipes for baked goods (cookies, cakes, quick bread) require to use softened butter. It usually states that you have to cream the sugar with the softened butter. This is because butter mixes easier with sugar.
   If the butter has the perfect temperature, the sugar aerates it in the creaming process. And then the baking powder or the baking soda make sure to expand those air pockets. When the butter is softened, it simply retains air during the mixing process. In this way, your resulted baked good will be fluffy, light and airy. 



   What happens if the butter isn't at the right temperature
   Ideally, for the recipes which request softened butter, that means that the butter should be at room temperature. Room temperature means that butter should be flexible and soft so it will not clump in between the blade and bowl of your mixer. But at the same time, it should be hard enough to hold its body. Sounds complicated, right? Not at all: if you can easily squish the butter between your thumb and forefinger, your butter is officially softened.
   If the butter is too soft or even melted, it can't retain the air during creaming. In this situation, sugar is dissolved.
   If the butter is too cold (hard) it will not be pliable enough to cream and blend as it should.

   The best way to soften butter is the old-fashioned way: remember to take it out from the fridge. 😃 But, as we are always busy, let me tell you my tips on how to soften butter easily.

   Use the microwave
   I am sure that the microwave is the first thing coming to your mind. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but you should be careful, especially in the second method I will present to you.

   1. Pour some water in a microwave safe bowl. You can use a liquid measuring cup or anything else that comes in handy. Microwave the water until it's boiling. Meanwhile, put the butter on a heatproof plate or bowl and cut it into pieces. After taking out the water from the microwave, put in the butter, closing the door. In this way, the heat will be trapped inside, and your butter will soften quicker. Make sure you choose correctly the plate/bowl holding the butter. Depending on the quantity of the butter, choose wisely the size of the bowl. The butter should have enough place to spread out in order for all the pieces to warm up evenly.
   2. If you decide to put the rock-solid butter directly int the microwave, you should be very careful! The butter tends to melt on the outside and remain hard in the inside. I recommend cutting the butter into small pieces, and only microwave it for 10 seconds. Check it out how it looks, and if needed repeat the procedure for 5 seconds. I don't use often this method, because there are big chances that the butter will melt, and it will no longer be suitable for the recipe. Once the butter is melted, it reacts differently with the sugar and dough, and it might alter your delicious baked good.

   Use the grater
   Just simply grate the butter using a box grater. Allow it to stay for about 5 minutes and then it's ready to be used. this method works best if the butter is straight out from the freezer.


 





   Use a rolling pin
   Put the butter into a ziplock and simply use the rolling pin to flatten the butter. 5 minutes on the counter, and the butter is ready to go.If you are not a big baker and can't find a rolling pin, you can use a wine bottle or even a meat pounder.

   Use the electric mixer
   Some recipes might tell you to use the mixer to mingle the softened butter with other ingredients. For these recipes (and only for these) cut the butter in small cubes an mix it by itself until it softens. Then you can add the rest of the ingredients as the recipe calls for.


  
 Use a water bath

   Another method to soften butter is using a water bath or double boiler. Put the butter over the water bath, and let it soften. Make sure you keep an eye on it, so the butter doesn't start melting.

   Cube the butter
   As soon as you remember about the butter, take it out of the fridge and cut it into small cubes. Put them on a plate on a single layer. Until you prepare the rest of the ingredients or check your Facebook feed, your butter will be softened.

   



      Please remember to always follow the recipe! Cold, softened and melted butter are very different things, and they perform differently. I really advise you not to change the state of the butter in ANY recipe!
   Now it's your turn! Do you know any other tips on how to soften butter? Make sure you leave them in the comments below. And don't forget to pin and share!