Baking basics
How to soften butter quickly
Forgot to take the butter out? A warm bowl can help get it ready for mixing.
You need: butter, a knife, a plate, a heatproof glass or ceramic bowl, hot water and oven mitts.
The warm bowl method
Prepare the butter
Cut the butter into small cubes and spread them in one layer on a plate. Cut butter softens faster than a whole piece.
Warm the bowl
Fill a heatproof glass or ceramic bowl with hot water for about a minute. Carefully empty it, using oven mitts and keeping your face away from the steam.
Cover the butter
Cover the cubes with the empty warm bowl. Keep the butter clear of the hot sides.
Check the texture
After a few minutes, lift the bowl and press a cube. Check often: timing depends on the size of the cubes and the butter’s starting temperature.
Without a warm bowl
Leave the cubed butter in one layer on the plate. Check after 15–20 minutes at room temperature; small cubes soften faster than a whole piece, while a cool kitchen takes longer.
If the butter starts melting
Remove the warm bowl and chill the butter until pliable. Do not add liquid butter to a step that calls for creaming softened butter.