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4/07/2009

How to Soften Butter in a Jiffy

I always get the urge to bake late Friday night. And although we don't usually have a bed time on Fridays, I don't want to wait around for an hour while the butter softens. So I love this idea from Elise at Simple Recipes:


You put the butter in between to sheets of wax paper and roll it flat like you would a pie crust. You then peel it off the wax paper and put it in the bowl to cream.

For the best results, you have to have softened butter. Creaming the butter and the sugar is actually a really important step. You want the sugar to be able to punch a million little holes into the butter. These air pockets help the cookie rise and make them light.

Have I ever told you guys how much I love Alton Brown? My obsession with Good Eats is where I got that lovely piece of information and it has served me well.

10 comments:

mommieof4munchkins said...

If you are really impatient you can also put it in the microwave on 20% power for 30 seconds, works like a charm every time!

Lorie said...

The microwave is a good trick (mine hates me though!) but microwaves work by heating up the water int he butter, which can cause it to heat unevenly. And if it is too soft that isn't good either! Maybe I will make a test batch three ways (one waiting for the butter to soften, one microwaving it and one using this method) and see how they all turn out!

Dusty (To the Moon and Back) said...

I'm a last minute baker of sorts too and I could use this tip! Thanks for posting!

Anonymous said...

We are huge fans of Alton/Good Eats! He is sooo funny!

Whenever I cut up chicken, I always think of Alton and his dino-cam because that's where I learned how to cut up chicken. :)

I'll have to try Elise's butter softening idea. I actually have butter out on the counter now to soften (am going to make dinner rolls tonight!) but don't often plan ahead.

And thanks for the reminder in your comment about how the microwave works on the butter!

Unknown said...

Our whole family love Alton Brown. He's hilarious yet so informative at the same time! thanks for the tip.

Stephenie said...

Thanks for the tip. I always soften mine to much when I use my microwave...
Stephenie

Amy said...

interesting! I will have to keep that one in mind! I wonder if it would work on cream cheese, too?

Suzanne said...

Thank you for the advice!! I hate waiting for butter to soften.

welcometomyfrontporch said...

You could even grate it in a cheese grater.

Renee said...

Alton Brown drives me nuts, but my husband thinks he's fantastic! He is super smart.