How to Soften Butter Quickly
When you’re about to bake cookies or a cake, you may notice that many recipes require softened butter. But do you really need to soften your butter? And if so, what’s the quickest way to do it?
The answer is yes! Softened butter is crucial for certain baking techniques. If the butter is too cold, you’ll struggle to incorporate it with the rest of the ingredients, and if it’s too melted, your baked goods may end up dense and flat. Softened butter is the ideal middle ground between cold and melted butter. It’s perfect for creaming with sugar and works wonderfully for frosting or batter.
If your butter is still chilling in the fridge, don’t worry. There are several quick ways to soften it—perfect for when you’re in the midst of holiday baking or craving a homemade treat. Here’s how to soften butter and how to determine when it’s soft enough to use.
How to Tell When Butter is Softened Enough
Softened butter is typically cooler than you might think. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s easily indented by your fingers without losing its shape. This usually means the butter is around 65°F. You can also use your senses to check— the butter should feel cool, look smooth (not greasy), and be pliable but not mushy.
How to Soften Butter
Now that you know what to look for, here are the best methods to soften butter depending on how much time you have:
- Plan Ahead This method may not be the quickest, but it’s reliable. Simply leave the butter out on the counter for 30 to 60 minutes to soften naturally.
- Dice the Butter Speed up the process by cutting your stick of butter into small cubes. The smaller pieces will soften much faster on the counter.
- Grate it Using a box grater with large holes, grate the stick of butter into shavings. This method works quickly, even if your butter is frozen.
- Hit it with a Rolling Pin If you need to let off some steam, try pounding the cold butter with a rolling pin. Place the butter between two pieces of wax paper and flatten it by either hitting it or rolling the pin over it.
- Use a Cup of Hot Water This trick has become popular on TikTok, and it really works! Here’s how: Microwave a glass of water (or boil water in a kettle), then pour it into a glass. After that, pour out the water and set the hot glass over your stick of butter. Wait about 10 to 15 minutes, and your butter will soften.
- Use the Microwave If you’re in a hurry, the microwave can help. Just be sure to use 20 to 30% power and microwave in 5 to 10-second intervals to avoid melting the butter. Rotate the stick after each interval, and once you can make an indent with your fingers, the butter is ready.
