10 Tricks To Soften Butter Quickly and Perfectly

Butter is a key ingredient in many recipes, but it’s often stored in the fridge, making it too hard to use immediately. Here are ten quick and easy methods to soften butter so you can get back to baking or cooking quickly.

Leave It on the Counter

The simplest way to soften butter is to let it sit at room temperature. Depending on the temperature in your kitchen, it usually takes about 30-60 minutes for the butter to soften. Just plan ahead!

Cut It into Small Pieces

Cutting your butter into smaller pieces will speed up the softening process. The increased surface area allows it to soften faster.

Grate It

Grating butter with a cheese grater is another quick method. The small shreds soften almost instantly, making it easier to incorporate into your recipes.

Pound It with a Rolling Pin

Place the butter between two sheets of wax paper or plastic wrap and pound it with a rolling pin. This flattens the butter, increasing the surface area and softening it quickly.

Microwave It Carefully

If you’re really short on time, you can microwave the butter. Place it in a microwave-safe dish, and heat it on low power (around 10-20% power) for 10-15 seconds at a time, checking frequently to avoid melting it completely.

Use a Warm Bowl

Place your butter under a warm bowl to soften it evenly. Fill a bowl with hot water, let it sit for a minute, then dump out the water and place the bowl over the butter. The residual heat will soften the butter in about 10 minutes.

Soften with Warm Water

For an even faster method, place the butter (still wrapped) in a zip-top bag, then submerge it in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for about 5-10 minutes. The butter will soften without melting.

Warm It with Your Hands

Use the warmth of your hands to soften the butter. Hold the butter stick in your hands for a few minutes, turning it to warm all sides evenly. This is an excellent method if you only need a small amount softened.

Place It on a Warm Surface

Set the butter on a warm surface, like the back of a warm stove or over a pot of hot water (without touching the water). The gentle heat will soften the butter without melting it.

Use a Food Processor

You can soften butter by processing it for a few seconds. The blade’s motion will create friction, softening the butter quickly. Just be sure not to over-process it into a liquid.