Description
Learn how to make fresh homemade butter using just heavy whipping cream and optional sea salt. This simple recipe walks you through whipping the cream until it separates into butter and buttermilk, then rinsing and shaping your own creamy butter at home. Perfect for adding a homemade touch to your cooking and baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tsp sea salt (optional, for salted butter)
- Ice water (for rinsing butter)
Instructions
- Prepare stand mixer: Fit a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or prepare a mixing bowl with a hand mixer and whisk attachment. Ensure the bowl is large enough as the cream will expand when whipped.
- Whip heavy cream: Pour the heavy cream into the bowl and whisk on medium speed for about 10 minutes. Watch for stiff peaks to form. If using salt, add it once stiff peaks appear and continue whisking until the butter and buttermilk separate—the butter will cling to the whisk and the buttermilk will be liquid in the bowl.
- Strain: Place a mesh sieve over a smaller mixing bowl. Pour the contents of the mixing bowl into the sieve to separate the butter from the buttermilk. The buttermilk will collect in the bowl below.
- Squeeze excess liquid: Gather the butter and press out as much liquid as possible. Dip the butter into ice-cold water, then squeeze again to rinse and remove additional buttermilk.
- Shape and store butter: Place the butter on parchment or wax paper and shape it into a log or rectangular block similar to commercial butter sticks. Wrap tightly and secure with kitchen twine, then optionally place in a resealable plastic bag for extra protection.
- Chill: Refrigerate the wrapped butter to firm it up. Homemade butter will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or can be frozen for up to 9 months.
Notes
- This recipe yields approximately 1 pound of butter, equivalent to about 4 sticks or 32 tablespoons.
- Only use heavy whipping cream for best results; substitutions will not work properly.
- Adding sea salt is optional depending on your taste preference.
- Butter can be sliced into sticks individually for easy use.
- Use cold ice water to rinse the butter thoroughly, which improves shelf life and taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 102
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 11.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
