Almost every holiday meal will include butter on the table. Easily elevate your meal with some simple butter upgrades – try one or all of these ideas.
Make Your Own Butter
Butter can be easily “churned” from heavy cream using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or a jar, a marble, and patience.
Ingredients & Equipment:
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Mixer with whisk attachment or a jar with a tightfitting lid and a marble
- Salt (optional)
- Food coloring (optional)
Directions
- If using a mixer: Simply pour the heavy whipping cream into the bowl and set the mixer to medium-low (you can turn it up once it gets less sloshy). After the cream has turned to whipped cream, keep beating until you hear sloshing sounds again and see the fat and liquid separating.
- If using a jar and marble: pour the heavy cream into the jar until it’s about half full, add a clean marble, and close the lid tight. Shake vigorously until a large lump forms. This method can take a while so if your kids are helping shake the jar, you may want to have multiple family members to take turns, or turn it into a game or contest to keep them interested.
- Separate the liquid and solids by straining with a fine mesh sieve or cheese cloth. Be sure to keep the liquid you pour off – this is butter milk that can be used in a variety of recipes. The solid part is your fresh butter!
- Optional steps: Rinse with cold water and press the butter with a cloth to remove any excess buttermilk. Add salt to taste. Add a small amount of food coloring to make your butter the desired shade. Kids might have fun making crazy colors with their butter.
Shaped Butter Pats
Small, shaped, individual servings of butter can be an easy way to wow your loved ones this Thanksgiving.
Ingredients & Equipment
- Soft, room temperature butter
- Silicon ice, chocolate, or mint mold
- Small spoon or butter knife
Directions
- Take soft butter and press, a small bit at a time, into the mold. If your mold has a lot of detail, be sure to press hard to get all air bubbles out before adding more to the mold.
- Cool the butter in the freezer for at least an hour to set.
- Carefully push your butter out of the molds. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Compound or Flavored Butter
Adding flavor to your butter can enhance cooking and create a flavorful topping. Any combination of spices, herbs, and sweeteners can work well, but check out our recipe collection for inspiration.
Ingredients
- Soft, room temperature butter
- Flavors of your choosing
Directions
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Shape as desired and chill.
