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How to Make Homemade Butter
5 from 18 votes

How to Make Homemade Butter

Homemade butter is created by whipping heavy cream until it separates into butter solids and buttermilk. This recipe offers two methods: using a mixer or shaking cream in a mason jar. The process transforms cream into fresh butter with a creamy texture, and a small amount of salt can be added for flavor.

Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 8 tablespoons
Calories: 101 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: French

Ingredients

  • 1 cup heavy cream 38% fat content

Instructions

Mixer Instructions (hand mixer or stand mixer)
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  1. Pour 1 cup heavy cream into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or into a mixing bowl if using a hand mixer.
  2. Start whipping the cream on a low speed. Gradually increase to medium-high as the cream thickens.
  3. After several minutes, whipped cream will form. As you continue to mix, the whipped cream will begin to yellow and clump together. Keep mixing until you see the buttermilk separate, leaving solid clumps of butter in the bowl and a sloshing watery liquid which is the buttermilk. This stage usually takes 3 to 5 minutes.
Mason Jar Instructions
  1. Pour 1 cup heavy cream into a pint-sized mason jar, filling it half-way full. Do not overfill past the half-way mark. Screw the lid on tightly so there are no leaks.
  2. Shake the mason jar vigorously for approximately 5-7 minutes until whipped cream forms. Continue shaking for another 5 to 7 minutes until you hear and feel that a lump has formed inside.
  3. Continue shaking for just one or two minutes until you clearly see that the fat solids have formed, and there's a milky watery liquid left behind which is the buttermilk. The amount of time it takes will depend on how vigorously you are able to shake the jar.
Rinsing, Flavoring, and Storing
  1. Strain the butter solids from the buttermilk using a fine mesh strainer, reserving the buttermilk for other recipes if desired.
  2. Pour cold water over the butter in the strainer. Discard rinsing water and repeat rinsing two more times. Shape into a ball or any other shape (you can purchase butter molds for interesting designs).
  3. At this point you have genuine freshly churned butter. You can use it plain or in any recipe calling for butter.
  4. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 5 days, refrigerate for 7 to 10 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

  • For salted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt per cup of cream after butter forms.
  • Alternatively, salt can be added before mixing, but this will salt the buttermilk as well.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1tablespoon Calories 101kcal (5%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g (3%) Monounsaturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 34mg (11%) Sodium 8mg (0%) Potassium 28mg (1%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 437IU (9%) Vitamin C 0.2mg (0%) Calcium 20mg (2%) Iron 0.03mg (0%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 tablespoons

Amount Per Serving

Calories 101

% Daily Value*

Serving 1tablespoon
Calories 101kcal 5%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g 3%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 8mg 0%
Potassium 28mg 1%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 437IU 9%
Vitamin C 0.2mg 0%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 0.03mg 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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