There is a QUICK way to bring butter to room temperature, and it takes less than 30 seconds.
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Room-temperature butter is crucial for success of your baking!
Ideally, you need to take the butter out of the fridge 1-2 hours before you start baking. Depending on the ambient room temperature in your kitchen and the amount of butter, the exact time will vary.
In general, it takes about 1 hour for a stick of butter to come to room temperature on the counter in a 70°F kitchen. Frozen butter will take longer time.
The quickest way to soften butter:
Here is my go-to method to bring butter to room temperature. Use this method with caution. Once you get to know your microwave and its settings, you’ll be able to bring your butter to room temperature in SECONDS!
Before you put your butter in the microwave, it’s important to find out the power of your microwave. An typical microwave has 1000Watts. You can find this information on the side or back of your microwave, or inside frame when you open the microwave door.
- Plave the butter in its wrapper, seam-side down, in the microwave.
- Set it for 10 seconds at 40% power (in a 1000Watt microwave!).
- Then turn the butter on the opposite side, and microwave for another 10 seconds again at 40% power.
3 Signs of Room Temperature Butter:
Room temperature butter is not same as softened butter!
If you want no-spread sugar cookies with crisp edges, or fluffy and tender cupcakes, you need to make sure your butter is the right consistency!
- Room temperature butter is cool to touch. Take an instant thermometer and check its temperature. The ideal temperature should be between 65-68°F.
- It dents with a little resistance. Press your finger into the butter, and it should dent with a little resistance. If it sinks through easily, the butter is too soft, and your cake will turn out dense!
- It shouldn’t be shiny or greasy. Oily and shiny butter is a telltale sign of too soft butter.
More Butter Tips for Baking:
- Butter 101 – Learn the difference between American vs European butters, salted vs unsalted, and more!
- What is Room Temperature Butter?
- How to Brown Butter
How to Soften Butter (in 30 seconds)
Ingredients
- 1 stick (115 g) butter cold Note 1
Equipment
- Microwave
Instructions
- Before you put your butter in the microwave, it's important to find out the power of your microwave. An typical microwave has 1000Watts. You can find this information on the side or back of your microwave, or inside frame when you open the microwave door.
- Plave the butter in its wrapper, seam-side down, in the microwave.
- Set it for 10 seconds at 40% power (in a 1000Watt microwave!).
- Then turn the butter on the opposite side, and microwave for another 10 seconds again at 40% power.
Tips & Notes
