MMMMM...Butter

I have found that making your own butter is very easy and satisfying.  My kids love to help so it is a great project for the whole family.

I have found thus far that heavy whipping cream from the store works just fine.  Setting the cream out to come to room temperature is the best and fastest way for it to turn from cream then to whipping cream than to butter.

There are many tools you can use.

Old fashioned churn

Hand mixer

Stand mixer

Electric or manual food processor

I have heard of using a blender but I have not tried it.   To name a few

Now that your cream is to room temperature if using a stand mixer pour it into the bowl and  turn it on at least medium and let it go you can walk at this point I wouldn't go very far tho.  It can turn very fast.  Once it gets to whipped cream (like what you buy in the store) it usually does not take much longer.  At this point I turn my mixer on high and it will start to turn a yellow color and butter milk will start to form and if not careful it will splash.  Once it starts to look like the size of peas .  Stop and let it sit to let the butter milk separate.  5-15 minutes later. Drain off the butter milk to use for cooking.  I get a large measuring cup or bowl and fill it up with ice water to wash the butter.  By washing the butter you it will get the stuff out that spoils the butter. Pour a little ice water in the butter and turn mixer on.  After a minute or so pour it out and continue until water comes out clear.  At this point you can put the butter into containers to use or freeze.  Make sure you squeeze the butter to get as much water out as you can.  My kids love to do this and it makes my hands feel wonderful. 

To freeze it you can put frezzer paper or wax paper in the mold 1st and press the butter into it and wrap and frezze. 

To thaw let it sit on counter for about 15 min and unwrap that will keep the paper from sticking to it.

Dazey Butter Churn  I Started out with my lovely churn that I found at a local antique shop.  Did the Job nicely but she is old and the gears where starting to skip.

Wonderful Kitchen Aid Mixer
My wonderful husband bought me this for Valentines day.  Major brownie points by the way.  It works better then I ever expected for making butter.

I have found that heavy whipping cream is the best I can find in my area for making butter
I do not have a source for local raw milk and I believe it is only for pet consumption in this state.  But I would love to try it out sometime.

Glass jar for Butter Milk.  Butter milk is great for using in baking and cooking. 

Start to form Butter

Yummy Butter Milk

Nice Size container

Ready to store and eat

I started to do this because I wanted to see if I could.  I love knowing I can control what is in it.  I do not add salt but I do add garlic or different herbs to add more flavor.  I hope you try it and enjoy.