Have you ever decided to bake cookies and then realized that you need “room-temperature” softened butter? Of course you didn’t pull the butter out ahead of time because you just decided to bake cookies.
This happens to me all the time. I used to try to microwave the butter but it would either almost melt or not be soft enough.
Then I heard this awesome tip for how to quickly soften butter. It’s one of those this-is-so-easy why-didn’t-I-think-of-this-myself kind of tips.
Put your stick of butter with the wrapper still on in the microwave.
(Just make sure it’s not a foil wrapper!)
Heat for 4 seconds on high.
Flip it to the next side and heat for 4 more seconds.
Do this for each side for a total of 16 seconds. The time ma vary ever-so-slightly depending on your microwave power.
The result will be a slightly squishable stick of butter that is softened just right!
If you like this tip, please click the “pin it” button at the top so others can see it too! Thanks!
I know how to get perfectly softened butter fast! Check out this easy tip! bit.ly/ygr97Y via @erika105 #baking #tips #kitchen #food
— Erika (@Erika105) March 10, 2012
About Erika
Twitter: yeewittlethings
says:
Good idea! I usually microwave it until it’s a melted mess, but then my cookies are flatter because of it lol. Like this idea better!
Brandi Yee recently posted..When Dads Do Their Daughter’s Hair…
Twitter: KiddiesCorner
says:
Great tip. I always put mine on defrost so it doesn’t melt and get hot and that also works wonderful!
Nichol recently posted..Quotes About Children
Thanks for the tip! Love your blog.
THANks for the tip! NOw if only I could figure out the secret to keeping the cookies soft lol!
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
One easy tip I use is to put a slice of bread in the cookie tin; it keeps the cookies soft!
Erika recently posted..Wordless Wednesday Linky – Who Needs Toys?
something my grandma & mom always do (and they’re the best cookie bakers I know!) is to put a pie or cake pan of water on the low rack while you’re baking , this keeps them soft – even in the container. My boyfriend says I make the softest cookies ever so it MUST work
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
I’m going to try that, Sarah, thanks!
Erika recently posted..Slow Going
Use sour cream in your cookies! Keeps them super soft
Twitter: MamaWrites13
says:
This is an awesome tip!!! I hate it when the butter is too hard and you have to let it soften. When I try microwaving it I always overdo it… I am not exactly a kitchen mom, so this tip is great for mr as it is really fool proof! Thanks, and I pined this on my Pinterest too.
Anna at Mama Writes recently posted..So… How Do I Tame a Child’s Temper Tantrum?
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
Glad I could help and thanks for pinning!
Erika recently posted..Wordless Wednesday Linky – Who Needs Toys?
I am DEFINITELY going to try this next time I need softened butter! I never plan ahead enough to have softened butter!
awesome I have to try this!
I love this tip! I always put it on the top of my stove and usually find it melted all over
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
I’ve done that too!
Erika recently posted..Ramblings From Me: Confidence
Twitter: grannyamoose
says:
Thank you! I always micro too long and this tip is awesome!!
great tip, thanks!
I always forget to thaw my butter too whether it be making garlic bread or baking……hard butter is not easy to work with and melted butter can be a pain too! I love this idea and will be using it! Thank you for posting.
I’ve been doing this for years. I thought everyone did it. lol
I thought everyone did it too!
I guess I’m probably in the minority, still using margarine much of the time for baking … some brands of margarine have a foil cover, so NOT put them in the microwave with the wrapper still on! *Ü*
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
Yes, that’s a good reminder. Thanks Jenn.
Erika recently posted..The Art of Marriage Opps #Campaign & Applebee’s $20 Gift Card Giveaway
That’s what I do, except that after the first zap I flip the butter 180 degrees to its opposite side. Zap again. Then rotate 90 degrees. Zap and rotate 180 degrees. That makes it sound more complicated (it’s really not) but it’s just so I can remember which sides have been on the bottom so that it all softens uniformly. Otherwise I get one side that is soft and mushy because I’ve lost track
Twitter: rjs7777
says:
Thanks for the great tip. I never thought of leaving it in the wrapper!
Microwaving butter changes the chemistry of the butter, if a recipe calls for room temp butter that is what you should use. Softened butter creates a totally different cookie.
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
True, but if you don’t have the time to let it soften at room temperature, this works. It’s better than melting it, that’s for sure!
Thanks for stopping by!
Erika recently posted..Slow Going
I found that using my rolling pin to roll it flat works that BEST and you still get fluffy cookies!!!!!!
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
Do you roll it out when it’s hard & straight out of the fridge? I’ve never heard of that – I’m intrigued!
Erika recently posted..Slow Going
Twitter: lollisandroses
says:
I’ve only ever seen sticks of butter wrapped in foil here (I live in Canada) so unfortunately this wouldn’t work unless you wanted a lightening show in your microwave
Stephanie recently posted..Tag it Vintage: Week 6
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
Oh yes, that would not work!
Another way that works is 1 minute on 20% power for 1 stick of butter. Works perfect every time.
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
I used to try that, but it didn’t work for me. I think that it would probably vary depending on the microwave. But if you can get it to work, it’s easier than rotating it!
Erika recently posted..Slow Going
Just saw this on Pinterest! What a great idea. I will for sure be using this tip!
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
Yay! thanks for coming by!
Erika recently posted..Slow Going
Twitter: AnnJopb
says:
Thank you for the tip. I also have had trouble softening butter. This will be a great help. I pinned it.
We microwave ice cream too if it’s too hard to scoop easily.
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
We do that too. So convenient!
Erika recently posted..Introducing Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! & Healthy Snacking Challenge
Thanks for sharing this cooking tip! I always end up melting the butter which of course usually ruins the recipe. I can use all the cooking tips I can get – keep them coming!
I found that grating frozen butter works great for softened butter.
Twitter: GlamourSoldier
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I love this tip, I have never figured out the right timing for this. You rock!
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
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Thanks Jennifer!
Erika recently posted..Introducing Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! & Healthy Snacking Challenge
Twitter: AlpacaFarmgirl
says:
This is a great tip if you don’t have much time. I always put the stick of butter in my apron pocket. Body heat usually warms it up a lot quicker than room temperature.
Alpaca Farmgirl recently posted..Alpacas On CBS Sunday Morning
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
Now that’s a great idea too! Thanks for stopping by!
Erika recently posted..Introducing Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! & Healthy Snacking Challenge
I keep my butter in a small tupperware-ish container with a lid. I just stick it (no pun intended) in the cleavage area of my bra in the morning as I’m making breakfast. By the time I get the breakfast stuff out and the toast or muffins ready, the butter is soft enough to spread. And it always brings a smile to my husband when I whip it out. LOL.
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
Lol, I can imagine it would, Anne! My husband would love that too. Thanks for stopping by!
Erika recently posted..Summer Fun for Kids Event: Ultimate Road Trip From National Geographic Kids {Giveaway}
Except if the butter you buy happens to be wrapped in tin foil, then you definitely do NOT want to put it in the microwave
THIS WORKS PERFECTLY!!!! Thank you soooo much!!!!
Twitter: GiggleBuzz
says:
Great tip! I do this too!