How to Make Butter the Old Fashioned Way!

Do you need to use up a quart of cream before it expires, have an abundance of milk, or just want to impress dinner guest? Homemade butter is a simple and delicious solution!

When our cows are producing milk we use the extra to make butter! If you don’t have a dairy animal, find some cream from your local dairy or neighbor that does. Store bought cream will also work. (do not use half & half)

Butter is made by agitating the fat molecules in the milk. This can be done in a stand mixer, food processor, a blender, or by vigorously shaking a jar.

HOW TO MAKE BUTTER

For this recipe you will need:

• a stand mixer, food processor, a blender, or a jar
• a quart of raw cream or heavy whipping cream
• salt
• ice

The process using a stand mixer:

1. Separate the cream from the milk. Let fresh milk sit in the fridge for about 24 hours. The cream will separate from the milk and be on top. Use a ladle to scoop it out.
2. Let the cream sit out until room temperature. This reduces mixing time.
3. Pour into bowl of your stand mixer.
4. Mix on high & cover with a tea towel – The cream will thicken and turn into what looks like whipped cream. This is normal, keep going!
5. After about 4-5 minutes the butter will completely separate from the buttermilk.
6. Wash the butter by kneading it in ice water until the water runs clear. Squeezing as much of the buttermilk out as possible gives it a longer shelf life.
7. Shape and store!

The process using a jar:

1. Separate the cream from the milk. Let fresh milk sit in the fridge for about 24 hours. The cream will separate from the milk and be on top. Use a ladle to scoop it out.
2. Let the cream sit out until room temperature. This reduces shaking time.
3. Pour into jar and cover with a lid.
4. SHAKE – The cream will thicken and turn into what looks like whipped cream. This is normal, keep going!
5. After about 5-10 minutes the butter will completely separate from the buttermilk.
6. Wash the butter by kneading it in ice water until the water runs clear. Squeezing as much of the buttermilk out as possible gives it a longer shelf life.
7. Fold in desired salt. (optional)
8. Shape and store!

How long does butter last?

Butter only last a couple days in our house but it can be stored in the fridge for 1-3 months. Rinsing the butter in ice cold water until the water runs clear will give it a longer shelf life. Butter can go rancid so if it has any discoloration, bad odor, or mold don’t use it. When in doubt… throw it out.

If you make a big batch, you can freeze it. It’ll last up to a year in the freezer.

What do I do with the buttermilk?

The byproduct of making butter is buttermilk. You can make all kinds of recipes with it including ranch, pancakes, cottage cheese, and so many more!

Do you have to add salt to homemade butter?

Nope! Completely optional. You can also mix in things like fresh herbs or honey. This is great way to preserve herbs from the garden and really impress those dinner guest.