How to Get Butter to Room Temperature Fast

Need Room Temperature Butter Fast? Here's What You Do!

May 11, 2011

We've all been there: recipe in hand, apron on, ready to make a delicious layer cake (or cookies, tart, etc.) only to realize the butter isn't at room temperature! You could put the butter in the microwave, but there's a chance that it will melt completely. Since the texture of butter affects the finished baked good, it's important to get it to a room temperature-like status. The solution? Grate the butter. I've done this countless times and it always works. Grate the cold butter on the large side of a box grater (it may get messy), then use immediately.

Have you grated butter? What's your technique for getting cold butter at room temperature quickly?

14 Comments

hannegee 1 year 26 weeks

I use a cheese slicer and it works like magic!

1 year 51 weeks

I've grated butter for years and it works like a charm. Don't remove the wrapper--keep it on, peeling it back a little at a time as you grate down the stick of butter. Your fingers will stay MUCH cleaner than if you hold an unwrapped stick, and your body heat won't melt much of the butter at all.

muse2323 2 years 1 week

I, too, cut it into smaller pieces--tablespoon-size pieces come to room temp pretty quickly. Then I put the pieces in the mixer & beat till smooth.

Susannah Chen 2 years 1 week

These are all great alternative suggestions. Anonymous, what is 3% power? Is that 3/10?

2 years 1 week

I put it in the microwave for 1 minute at 3% power, comes out perfect and no mess.

oatmealpie 2 years 1 week

Cooks Illustrated recommends slicing the butter pretty thin, then letting it sit out while you gather the other ingredients. I've done this several times, and the butter was at room temperature by the time I needed it.

spaa649 2 years 1 week

awesome thanks!!

Advah 2 years 1 week

Genius, thanks!

Dagne 2 years 1 week

Seal the sticks of butter in a zip lock bag and put in a bowl of warm water. I found this works best for getting butter room temperature. Works great for cold eggs, too.

amandachalynn 2 years 1 week

I put the stick on top of the stove while the oven is warming up. It gets a little warm and helps the butter. I read that tip somewhere and it stuck.

eatswimshop 2 years 1 week

You can also cut it into small pieces... you'll still have to wait a few minutes, but it will come to room temperature a lot faster that way.

chiefdishwasher 2 years 1 week

I think that is a "great" tip!!!!!!!

RoaringSilence 2 years 1 week

Or you could beat the crap out of it! Recommended by chow.com: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaM9gMsNW4c

2 years 1 week

messy is an understatement i think you would waste too much trying to grate it for sure.... if you watch it closely you CAN use the microwave and NOT melt it for use......

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14 Comments

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