One of the most delicious and healthy dairy products is butter. For most, this product is an integral part of breakfast. It is used for frying and sandwiches, giving dishes a richer creamy and milky taste. However, being in a frozen state, when a block of butter is very hard, its use becomes difficult.
Many dishes involve the use of only softened or melted butter. About what methods exist to achieve the necessary consistency of butter - you will learn in this article.
Classic heating method
This method requires a stove and a frying pan (or pot). Initially, you will need to separate the required amount from the butter briquette and cut it into several parts. Thus, the product warms up more evenly and faster. The dishes in which this dairy product will be melted must necessarily have a thick bottom. Thanks to him, pieces of butter will not burn to the surface of the dishes, and the product will heat up evenly.
So, to soften the butter on the stove it is desirable to use a minimum fire. This is due to the fact that the oil begins to change its consistency to a softer one already at a temperature of thirty degrees. The use of a high temperature heating regime will provoke the burning of the lower surface of the butter, while not changing the consistency of the entire piece at all. Be patient and be sure to wait until the entire piece of butter has melted.
It is not recommended to touch and stir the oil until it is completely softened. It is only permissible to move large pieces of oil over the surface of the dish. Next, remove the skillet or saucepan from the stove and use a kitchen spatula to thoroughly stir the resulting creamy mixture.
Due to the fact that the dishes remain hot for a few more minutes, their temperature is sufficient to allow the product to dissolve to a homogeneous consistency.
Melt correctly this product to room temperature at home, for example, in a slow cooker or in a microwave. In this article, you will learn other ways.
Using a water bath
Melting a block of butter using a water bath means achieving a soft consistency and a richer taste. Indeed, thanks to the use of this method, any possibility of burning butter is excluded. This is due to the use of a low temperature regime, in connection with which the product warms up slowly but evenly, gently softening layer by layer.
This process will require water bath. In the absence of special dishes, you can build a water bath yourself. You will need to prepare two pans with different volumes. Water is poured into the largest of them and placed on medium heat.
In a saucepan with a smaller volume, pre-cut pieces of butter should be placed. Once the water in the large pot starts to boil, carefully place the bowl of butter on top of it. The water bath is ready.
It remains only to wait for the desired consistency dairy product. You can stir the pieces of butter, but this is usually not necessary. The oil warms up evenly and does not stick to the inner surface of the pan. The only thing worth paying attention to is that water in a large saucepan should not be filled to the brim. Otherwise, there is a chance of getting burned or the flame in the burner will go out (provided that you have a gas stove).
In the microwave
This method of softening cream product fairly common and widely used. However, its application should take into account several nuances. Due to the fact that when this dairy product is heated in microwave oven it is the dishes that warm up more than the product, it is necessary to follow some recommendations. It is worth noting that if you want to get evenly melted butter, it is recommended to use other methods.
Let's start with the fact that the briquette of butter is cut into small cubes in the required amount. Then the sliced \u200b\u200bpieces are laid out in a special dish designed for the microwave. As a rule, these are shallow plates made of glass. Be sure to cover the dishes with the dairy product with a paper towel. This will prevent splashing when the oil starts to get very hot and change to a thinner consistency. A hot creamy mixture splashed on the inside of a microwave oven is extremely difficult to remove.
After placing a plate with pieces of butter inside the microwave, slam the door and turn on the “Defrost” mode. In the absence of this mode, set the highest power rating that your equipment has. Ten or fifteen seconds will be enough to soften the top layer of the product. But one procedure will not be enough. Remove the bowl and stir the melted mixture vigorously with the still-solid chunks of butter. Leave the contents of the plate to cool for 1-2 minutes.
Then put the butter back in the microwave. Repeat the procedure for 20 seconds already. Watch what happens to the dairy product. With very powerful equipment, the heating time can be reduced. Repeat the procedure until the product has a uniform consistency. In general, the process of melting butter in the microwave does not take more than fifteen minutes.
Keep in mind that dishes in the microwave heat up much faster and more intensely, so be sure to use oven mitts or a thick towel to safely remove the dish with melted butter.
How to soften with improvised means
There are situations when it is not possible to use a microwave oven or a water bath to change the consistency of a given dairy product. But there are two simple methods that allow you to achieve the desired result with the help of tools that can be easily found. The first method will require a large flat plate and a regular glass. First, put the kettle on to boil. It is worth mentioning that you will need a small amount of water. Take out of freezer briquette of butter and separate the amount you need. Then place the piece cut off from the briquette on the surface of the plate.
When the kettle starts to boil, turn it off. And carefully, trying not to burn yourself, fill the glass with boiling water. It is necessary to wait for the moment when the inner surface of the glass warms up well. This usually takes no more than 5 minutes. Then drain the water from the glass and cover the previously cut piece of the product with it. It will take only 3 minutes for the product to change its consistency to a softer and more pliable one. After that, the oil is easy to use for making a sandwich or any other dish.
For the following method of softening a butter briquette, you will need two items that are indispensable in any kitchen. These two items include a kitchen rolling pin and an ordinary plastic bag. It is necessary to separate the required amount of oil from the briquette. It is advisable to use small pieces of oil, this will greatly facilitate the process of softening it. Next, all the chopped creamy pieces of butter are placed in a plastic bag, and the bag itself is tied.
The bag is then placed on a flat surface (such as a cutting board). And with the help of a kitchen rolling pin, you need to start intensively smoothing the cut pieces of butter. The solid consistency of the dairy product after a couple of smoothings becomes much more supple and softer. These two simple ways The softening of a butter block is extremely efficient and fast. Using them, you can achieve the necessary consistency for further preparation of creams, dough and other tasty and mouth-watering dishes.
How to melt butter properly, see the following video.
If you've ever experienced how long hard butter takes to warm up from the fridge, you'll appreciate this one. life hack deservedly. No more waiting until butter warms up to a softened state: replace calm waiting with active action!
Butter can be quickly made soft and warmer, which is important for many dishes, including ordinary sandwiches. You only need a tight plastic bag and rock.
How to soften butter
- No need to melt the butter in a water bath or in the microwave: firstly, it is very difficult to catch the moment when the butter is already warm, but has not begun to melt. Second, it takes extra time. Just place a piece of cold hard butter into the package.
- Now you just need to beat off the oil in the bag with a rolling pin! It will immediately become soft, easily spread on bread and turn into a full-fledged ingredient in any dish.
Check out this video for a handy trick to avoid wasting minutes waiting for your butter to soften.
There is another great way make butter soft and warm. Pour boiling water into a glass, pour it out and cover a piece of butter with a hot glass. It will quickly change the temperature and consistency!
Butter is delicious and useful product. Many do not imagine their morning without a sandwich with him. However, in solid form, it is very difficult to spread on a piece of bread. Yes, and for the preparation of many dishes, soft butter is suitable. How to quickly soften butter? This question will be answered helpful tips below.
How to quickly soften butter? It is worth getting a piece from the freezer, cut off the necessary part and put it on a flat plate.
At this time, it is worth boiling or just warming up the water. You will also need a glass or a cup. Hot water is poured into it, and when the container is heated, drained. Then a piece of butter is covered with a hot glass. A couple of minutes is enough for the piece to become soft and pliable. It can be used in recipes or simply spread on a sandwich without any problems.
Another simple option: take a package
Another great option, which tells you how to quickly soften butter, involves two items: a rolling pin and a regular plastic bag. First you need to cut off the necessary piece of butter. It is better to take small pieces, so it will come out faster, and it will be easier. The product is placed in a regular plastic bag, wrapped tightly, and placed on a flat surface. Then just run over it several times with a rolling pin. The oil eventually becomes obedient and soft, it is quite possible to use it for further cooking.
By the way, this method is also suitable for those who are looking for an answer to the question of how to quickly soften butter for cream, dough or other recipes. It is worth noting that you need to roll out the butter to a thickness of a couple of centimeters, otherwise it will simply melt. It is better to wait another minute after this manipulation, let the oil rest.
Microwave: melt the product
Another option is to use a microwave oven. This method is often used, but there is always a risk that the butter will simply melt. However, this method is not recommended for those who are looking for how to quickly soften butter for baking.
Remove the packaging from the product if it contains reflective elements. A piece is placed on a plate, cleaned in the microwave. Do not cover with a lid. On the timer, set the “defrost” mode, hold for exactly five seconds. A piece is taken out, touched for softness, turned over and held for the same amount of time. Repeat until the desired result is achieved.
Similarly, you can soften the butter in a water bath. The result will be similar. To do this, pour water into the pan and heat it. Oil is placed in smaller dishes, sent to a container of water. Hold until the oil reaches the desired consistency.
How to quickly soften butter? Simple helpers will help with this, for example, a heated glass, a microwave oven or a water bath. Each method is great for different uses of butter. You can also use a simple package and a rolling pin. All these methods will help to quickly prepare the butter for use.
Forgot to remove the butter from the freezer or refrigerator, but the recipe calls for softened butter? Here you will find tips on how to quickly soften it. Many recipes often call for softened butter that mixes well with other ingredients. Soft butter is also ideal for making sandwiches when it needs to be spread on a piece of bread or a loaf. You need this oil for mixing spices and pastes for dressing, making flavored oil.
What does softened butter mean?
First, let's first discuss what "softened butter" means and why butter of this consistency is called for in a recipe.
In most baking recipes bakery products, biscuits, cakes and so on, just such an oil is required. For sure, in such a recipe, butter should be whipped with sugar before adding the rest of the ingredients. And this step is one of the decisive ones for obtaining a soft and airy final product.
If the butter is soft, then when beaten with sugar, it is well saturated with air bubbles. Sugar, as it were, cuts pieces of soft butter, saturating it with air bubbles. By adding baking soda or baking powder to the dough later, we make the dough even more airy, creating small air pockets inside the dough. As a result, our cake or cookies are soft, light and airy.
If the butter is too soft or even slightly melted, then it cannot form air bubbles when whipped. Most likely, such oil will simply dissolve the sugar crystals. And that's it.
On the other hand, if the butter is too cold, then it will not work well to beat it until fluffy and airy with sugar. And, therefore, it does not form air bubbles, those very “air pockets”, or it does not form enough to make the dough tender and airy.
Therefore, cold, soft, or melted butter cannot be used interchangeably in recipes. It should be the consistency that the recipe calls for.
How to soften butter
Before moving on to ways to make butter soft, you need to figure out what it looks like in a softened form.
The softened butter should feel cool to the touch, but should leave a trail when pressed with slight pressure. This is how it looks. 
Too soft oil looks like this. The finger, pressed against the piece without any pressure, leaves a deep mark, almost completely immersed in it. Air bubbles when whipping such an oil, if they are formed, will fall off during the kneading of the remaining ingredients. 
This is what melted butter looks like. It is also not suitable for whipping. 
The easiest way to soften butter is to take it out of the refrigerator or freezer at least half an hour or an hour before cooking. Time will vary depending on room temperature and how cold the oil is. But often people forget to do this.
If the butter starts to get quite soft but hasn't melted yet, put it back in the fridge for a few minutes to cool it down a bit and have the consistency we want.
Here are a few ways to make butter soft quickly.
- Cut the butter into small pieces
Small pieces soften much faster than the whole pack, especially if they are placed next to a stove or radiator.
Measure out the amount of oil you need for cooking. Cut it into small pieces.
Another way to speed up the process is to place butter between two sheets. wax paper(plastic bag) and roll it out with a skipping rope.
Once your butter has softened, you can beat it with the sugar. Place it in the mixer and start beating on low speed, then increase to medium-low. Beat it for 2-3 minutes.
After 2-3 minutes, the mixture will become airy and light. The butter is completely whipped with the sugar.
- Roll out the butter
After measuring the right amount of butter, place it in a ziplock bag and roll it out with a rolling pin. This method will soften the oil, while maintaining the consistency that we need.
Take out the oil and place on a plate. If it is still a little cooler, then in this state, when room temperature it will soften faster.
- Heat the oil in a warm water bath
If you're really in a hurry, pour a few cups of very hot (just below boiling) water into a saucepan and place a bowl of oil over it. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't start to melt.
- Soften the butter in the microwave
Many housewives use a microwave for this. Most, having measured the right amount of oil, simply put it in the oven. This method is acceptable, but may make the butter too soft to be whipped.
To use this method, put the butter on a plate and put it in the microwave. Set it to the lowest power possible on your model. Turn on the stove for 10-20 seconds. Be sure to keep the butter from melting.
There is another way to soften butter in the microwave. For this:
Pour 2 cups of water into a microwaveable saucepan.
Cut the butter into pieces.
Heat the water in the microwave until almost boiling.
Place a plate of butter on it and close the oven door.
A high temperature will remain inside the stove and the oil will soon become exactly what we need.
If you need to soften the butter very quickly, grate it. Small pieces will become soft already in the process of grinding.
That's all the little secrets on how to quickly soften butter. Cook with pleasure!
Read
Butter is a tasty and healthy product. Many do not imagine their morning without a sandwich with him. However, in solid form, it is very difficult to spread on a piece of bread. Yes, and for the preparation of many dishes, soft butter is suitable. How to quickly soften butter? This question will be answered by the helpful tips below.
How to quickly soften butter? It is worth getting a piece from the freezer, cut off the necessary part and put it on a flat plate.
At this time, it is worth boiling or just warming up the water. You will also need a glass or a cup. Hot water is poured into it, and when the container is heated, drained. Then a piece of butter is covered with a hot glass. A couple of minutes is enough for the piece to become soft and pliable. It can be used in recipes or simply spread on a sandwich without any problems.
Another simple option: take a package
Another great option that tells you how to quickly soften butter involves two items: a rolling pin and a regular plastic bag. First you need to cut off the necessary piece of butter. It is better to take small pieces, so it will come out faster, and it will be easier. The product is placed in a regular plastic bag, wrapped tightly, and placed on a flat surface. Then just run over it several times with a rolling pin. The oil eventually becomes obedient and soft, it is quite possible to use it for further cooking.
By the way, this method is also suitable for those who are looking for an answer to the question of how to quickly soften butter for cream, dough or other recipes. It is worth noting that you need to roll out the butter to a thickness of a couple of centimeters, otherwise it will simply melt. It is better to wait another minute after this manipulation, let the oil rest.
Microwave: melt the product
Another option is to use a microwave oven. This method is often used, but there is always a risk that the butter will simply melt. However, this method is not recommended for those who are looking for how to quickly soften butter for baking.
Remove the packaging from the product if it contains reflective elements. A piece is placed on a plate, cleaned in the microwave. Do not cover with a lid. On the timer, set the “defrost” mode, hold for exactly five seconds. A piece is taken out, touched for softness, turned over and held for the same amount of time. Repeat until the desired result is achieved.
Similarly, you can soften the butter in a water bath. The result will be similar. To do this, pour water into the pan and heat it. Oil is placed in smaller dishes, sent to a container of water. Hold until the oil reaches the desired consistency.
How to quickly soften butter? Simple helpers will help with this, for example, a heated glass, a microwave oven or a water bath. Each method is great for different uses of butter. You can also use a simple package and a rolling pin. All these methods will help to quickly prepare the butter for use.
