- Use a warm glass or bowl to gently soften butter without melting it.
- Cut cold butter into cubes to speed up softening at room temperature.
- Avoid direct heat or high microwave power to prevent uneven melting.
The holiday season is upon us, full of beloved traditions that bring warmth and joy. From decorating Christmas trees to enjoying nostalgic tunes, this period shines a spotlight on a favorite pastime: holiday baking.
Whether you revel in making shortbread cookies, peppermint brownies, or gingerbread cakes, there’s one common hurdle: softening the butter.
You’ve gathered your chocolate chips, flour, sprinkles, and vegetable oil, only to realize the butter is still in the refrigerator. Its absence can give rise to three troubling choices: microwave it and risk melting, postpone your baking plans, or settle for pre-made desserts.
We consulted baking experts to uncover the quickest method for softening butter. The good news? They’ve all faced this challenge before, and there exists an effective way to soften that butter without throwing it directly onto the heat.
The Best Way To Soften Chilled Butter Quickly
Chef Jujhar Mann, known for his appearances on baking shows like Is It Cake and Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, recommends an innovative approach. “Warm a glass or bowl with hot water, dry it, then cover cubed butter with it. This method traps warmth while avoiding melting,” Mann shares.
Katherine Sprung, a pastry chef seen on Chopped Sweets, follows a similar strategy. “Fill a glass bowl with hot water, let it sit, pour it out, and flip the bowl over the butter. Check back in about ten minutes,” Sprung advises.
What makes this method effective? Joanne Gallagher, a baking blogger at Inspired Taste, explains that “gentle heat softens the butter without turning it into liquid.”
More Ways To Soften Butter
Mann also offers another reliable technique that takes a little longer. “Cut cold butter into small cubes and spread them on a plate. They will soften more quickly, usually within 10 to 15 minutes.”
Susan Gravatt, a baker featured on Hallmark’s Baked With Love: Holiday, suggests using the microwave in moderation. “Microwave the butter in very brief intervals of five seconds on low power. Rotate it between intervals,” she explains.
A little warmth goes a long way, but it’s essential to be cautious, as “microwaving can turn into your best friend or biggest disappointment,” she warns.
Avoid This Butter-Softening Method
While microwaving butter is valid, it demands attention. “The most common error is microwaving on high power and walking away,” Gravatt asserts, leading to uneven results and an increased chance of melting.
Avoid placing butter close to heating elements, too. “Don’t leave butter near a hot oven or stovetop. Direct heat can melt it, and once butter melts, you can’t go back,” Gravatt cautions.
But does using melted butter instead of softened really matter? Our experts say yes. “Melted butter alters the structure of baked goods and affects texture,” notes Mann. “Microwave bursts lead to uneven heating, leaving some portions soft and others still cold.”
“Overheating causes the edges to melt while the center remains hard, disrupting the creaming process and causing cookies to spread excessively,” Gallagher adds. “Melted butter fails to hold air the way softened butter does, which can result in dense or greasy baked goods.”
If you find yourself with slightly melted butter, there’s hope. “Pop it in the fridge for a minute or two to firm up the melted parts,” Sprung recommends. If it gets too firm, switch to one of the other methods.
More Pro-Baker Tips for Handling Butter
We asked our expert bakers for some additional tips for managing butter during the bustling holiday baking season. Here are their insights.
- “If I have a lot of holiday baking on the agenda, I’ll set an alarm to remind me to take the butter out ahead of time,” Gravatt said. It’s a helpful way to make sure you’re ready to go.
- “Let your butter sit out the night before in the bowl you’ll use for your cookies or frosting. This way, it’s softened, measured, and ready when you are,” Gallagher adds.
- “Understand how cold, room temperature, and melted butter impact your recipes. It’s crucial to follow the recipe guidelines,” Sprung advises.
- “Using unsalted butter allows for better control over the salt levels in your baking,” Mann suggests.
The Bottom Line
Achieving the right butter consistency is pivotal for ensuring baked treats come out perfectly. The glass bowl method offers an ideal solution. Just fill a glass bowl with hot water, let it sit for a few minutes, pour it out, and then cover the butter for 10 to 15 minutes. This technique softens your butter effectively.
Other methods, like cutting the butter into smaller pieces and leaving it at room temperature, also work well. Microwaving is an option as well, but only in short bursts. And if you accidentally melt your butter, simply cool it down briefly in the refrigerator.
