What Is the Best Way To: Soften Butter?

Faith Durand
Faith DurandSVP of Content
Faith is the SVP of Content at Apartment Therapy Media and Editor-in-Chief of Kitchn, and the author of three cookbooks, including the James Beard Award-winning The Kitchn Cookbook. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and two daughters.
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updated May 13, 2022
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We are so bad at remembering to set out butter to soften. Then we are standing there, ready to start making a cake or cookies, and oh — the butter’s still rock hard. Oops. We often microwave the butter, but sometimes this backfires and melts the butter into a puddle of liquid. How do you soften butter for baking or cooking? Do you have any extra-special tricks for get this done faster?

Here are a few past tips and discussions on butter!

• Tip: Make Butter By the Pound in a Stand Mixer
• Salted Butter vs. Unsalted Butter: What’s the Difference?
• How To Make a Butter Lamb for Easter
• 4 Ways To Reuse Your Butter Wrappers!
• Quick n’ Easy: Ways to Soften Butter

Previous Best Ways To…
• Cook Salmon Filets
• Wash Dishes
• Cook a Steak
• Make Pot Roast
• Clean Granite Countertops?
• Fry an Egg
• Make Coffee at Home
• Cook a Chicken

(Image: Faith Durand)

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Baking
Tips & Techniques
Cooking Methods
Ingredient