Homemade / Recipe

Homemade Butter Recipe

How to make your own homemade butter at home with quality ingredients and a Mason Jar, food processor, or Kitchen Aid mixer.

Homemade Butter Recipe | sophisticatedgourmet.com

Butter. There’s just something about it that conjures up thoughts about my life. Firstly- the thoughts of me spending my whole summer (two years ago) watching Paula Deen re-runs. Fine call me obsessed, but I call her my third grandmother. Oh, speaking of grandmothers- the thought that my {real} grandmother probably has more butter in her refrigerator than any major supermarket in the country, freaks the heck out of me, but makes me laugh at times. Do you think I am kidding you? At this point in time, she has 54 pounds of butter in her “mini” refrigerator right now (which she keeps in her bedroom!). Oh, and this is not counting her two other (regular sized) refrigerators, which I am sure are heavily stocked with a plethora of butter, as well.

My grandmother is obsessed with butter, and you know something- I don’t blame her! The stuff is awesome! Most of the butter she has stocked up in her refrigerators (that can probably last until the next ice age) goes to making ghee (clarified butter), which is the only thing she uses when she is cooking Indian food.

Homemade Butter Recipe | sophisticatedgourmet.com

As a little gift and a joke, I decided to make homemade butter to bring to my grandmother before I came to visit her this weekend. And boy was this weekend snowy! Anyway, the smallest things make my grandmother laugh and make her happy. And I was sure that homemade butter would. I didn’t want any spattering around the kitchen and I only had about a pint of heavy cream, so I took a Mason jar, poured the cream in, twisted the lid on, and started shaking. No need to pull out a Kitchen Aid mixer if you don’t want to!

Okay, time for some exercise!

The first thing you need to know about making butter in a mason jar is to have a clean jar that doesn’t smell. Unless you want tomato butter, I’d suggest using a new (or really clean) jar.. They’re cheap and can be found just about anywhere…

The second thing you’ll need to know is that you should stretch. Making butter in a jar is a great workout, and every good workout should begin with some stretching. I’m just kidding, but if you want to stretch, by all means, do so.

Keep in mind that you should be using quality ingredients to make homemade butter. That means good cream and good salt. If you want to make unsalted butter, just leave out the salt.

While making the butter you need to shake that jar like a madman (or madwoman). After a couple of minutes, you’ll have something that resembles something like whipped cream.

Then, after that strenuous workout, things will be a bit easier for you… Hopefully. The fat and the liquid from the cream will begin to separate.

Homemade Butter Recipe | sophisticatedgourmet.com

Once it does, remove the buttermilk, which can be used for different dishes. Once the fat is alone in the jar, add a bit of ice water and shake the jar. Discard the water. Repeat this shaking process until the water is clear. If you do not clean out any of the buttermilk, properly, the butter will spoil sooner.

After the butter is ready, package it up and put it in your refrigerator or freezer. When you’re ready to use your homemade butter, spread it on anything from homemade soda bread, on these, or drop a dollop of butter on a stack of  delicious homemade pancakes.

Yield: Makes about 1/2 cup Butter

Homemade Butter Recipe

Homemade Butter Recipe | sophisticatedgourmet.com

I used about a pint of heavy cream to make the homemade butter, which took me about 15 to 20 minutes to make into butter (in a Mason Jar). If you’d rather not go through a 20 minute workout, you can make this in your Kitchen Aid or food processor. With a Kitchen Aid mixer, mix the cream with the whisk attachment until the butter fat and liquid separate.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • Good quality cream; heavy cream or manufacturing cream can be used (at room temperature)
  • Salt (optional)
  • Ice Water

Instructions

How to Make Butter in a Mason Jar:

  1. Place about 1 pint of cream in a clean Mason Jar, add salt to taste (optional) and shake for about 15 to 20 minutes until the cream has separated into buttermilk and butter fat.
  2. Drain all of the buttermilk into a glass and either discard or save it for use in other recipes.
  3. Once the fat is alone in the jar, add a bit of cold water and shake the jar. Discard the water and repeat this process until the water is clear. If you do not clean out any of the buttermilk properly, the butter will spoil sooner.

How to Make Butter in a Kitchen Aid or Food Processor:

  1. Place about 1 pint of cream and some salt (to taste) in a food processor or Kitchen Aid mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
  2. Turn the food processor or mixer on and mix until the cream has separated into two things- buttermilk and butter fat.
  3. Drain all of the buttermilk out into a glass and either discard or save it for use in other recipes.
  4. Once the fat is alone in the food processor or the mixer, add a bit of the ice water and turn the appliance on low speed. Watch out for spattering. Discard the water and repeat this process until the water is clear.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 202Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 17mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 2g

38 Comments

  • Megan Gordon
    December 21, 2009 at 1:24 pm

    Loving this, Kamran! I used to be a weeny and feel guilty about slathering butter on toast, muffins etc. But clearly I’ve grown out of that at this point in my life :) Priorities, priorities…Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • Chez Us
    December 21, 2009 at 1:33 pm

    Don’t you love making butter. I make it whenever we have guests over, it is so easy & nothing tastes better!!

    Reply
  • Hélène
    December 21, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    This is so nice of you to make homemade butter for your grandma Kamran. I’ve never attempted to make it but love butter. Have a great Holiday!

    Reply
  • Lauren
    December 21, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    Kamran – First off, thank you for stopping by my site and for adding me to your blogroll! I’m woefully behind in the food blog world and I don’t get “out there”enough to find new sites – so glad that you’ve introduced me to yours!

    I love this post! I grew up in the country, where every school child gets a lesson in making butter as part of the school curriculum. In my old age, I’m reminded of the deliciousness, in addition to the ironic fattening/exercise properties of this activity.

    Reply
  • Leslie
    December 21, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    This reminds of when I was about 6 I went to a mock prairie house and churned butter by hand. It was a lot – especially when you are 6!! Maybe I’ll try it again now that my arms have a little bit more muscle.

    Reply
  • jenn (Bread + Butter)
    December 21, 2009 at 2:38 pm

    So that’s how you make butter. Nice job!! I don’t know if I’d have the patience and enough strength to try this, but I think I will.

    Happy holiday!!

    Reply
  • lk - healthy delish
    December 21, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    omg my grandmother is the same about butter! it goes on sale and she buys the store out. I don’t get it. Maybe a depression era thing?

    we make butter occaionally now (its so fun!) but we usually use the kitchen aid. much easier on the arms. ;)

    Reply
  • Alice
    December 21, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    I love making homemade butter! Its also a great way to use up any leftover heavy cream.

    Reply
  • Hummingbird Appetite
    December 21, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    That is so cool that you made your own butter. It looks so easy!

    Reply
  • jen
    December 21, 2009 at 11:39 pm

    i’ve always want to know how to make butter! can’t wait to give it a try!! maybe i’ll torture my nephews with the shaking part of it…

    Reply
  • My Experiments & Food
    December 22, 2009 at 12:18 am

    Hi, We always make butter at home. But the use is primarily for making “Ghee” (clarified butter). We use “Malai” – the top of milk for making butter.
    And I love hommade butter on hot parathas :)

    Reply
  • Holly
    December 22, 2009 at 12:18 am

    How funny my 9 year old made butter in school last week, I asked if he used a mixer, and he said “no a jar!”. I will have to try it the old fashion way sometime. I wish we could get locally fresh cream here.

    Reply
  • penny aka jeroxie
    December 22, 2009 at 5:05 am

    I have been putting off making butter. It is on my MUST do list in 2010.

    Reply
  • Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
    December 22, 2009 at 5:19 am

    Wow your grandmother had 54pounds of butter in her friedge and it’s in her bedroom? That’s probably how I’ll end up lol. Thankyou so much for the step by step on how to make butter. I’ve never made it before but like you adore the stuff to bits :)

    Reply
  • Divina
    December 22, 2009 at 8:42 am

    I’ve been wanting to make butter for a long time. Thanks for this Kamran. I will remember to stretch.:D

    Reply
  • veron
    December 22, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    I really, really need to make butter. This looks amazing!

    Reply
  • Lauren
    December 23, 2009 at 9:51 pm

    What a fantastic idea! This looks amazingly delicious Kamran – perfect for any time of year =D.

    Reply
  • Anna
    December 24, 2009 at 10:31 am

    Great idea I’m sure she will love it. I will definitely try this one. Sounds very easy.

    Reply
  • Ameena
    December 24, 2009 at 5:38 pm

    Being half-Indian I know all about ghee! That is really good stuff.

    You have a great blog…very professional pictures!

    Reply
  • Kristen
    December 26, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    There are few things as delicious and decadent in this world as homemade butter. Thanks for sharing this post.

    Reply
  • Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction
    December 26, 2009 at 10:22 pm

    Wow… Looks fabulous! I really want to make some homemade butter now! Next week :)

    Reply
  • Xai
    December 27, 2009 at 1:08 am

    i accidentally made butter a long time ago. i didnt even know butter happens when you overwhip cream. i had to throw everything away! haha. now this is in my arsenal when i host brunch. btw, the photos look wonderful.

    Reply
  • deeba
    December 27, 2009 at 9:42 am

    I make my own sweet butter every week & freeze it in 1/2 cup portions! Nothing like home made K…wonderful!!

    Reply
  • wasabi prime
    December 28, 2009 at 4:07 am

    ooh, what a great reminder — I have been wanting to make butter now that the weather has cooled down quite a bit, and especially now that the holiday season has calmed down. Yum, your photos are inspiring me for a new project!!

    Reply
  • Alta
    December 28, 2009 at 9:37 am

    I remember learning how butter was made way back in elementary school – we learned about the Pioneers making their way West, and we got to make butter. Never have since then! I should change all of that – and teach my kids to make butter! As always, wonderful photos.

    Reply
  • Kristina
    December 29, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    Looks like fun! How much butter did that 1 pint yield?

    Reply
  • kamran
    December 29, 2009 at 6:29 pm

    Kristina, it yields a little over 8 tablespoons of butter. I added that into the recipe just now.. Thanks for reminding me! :)

    Reply
  • Jen @ Tiny Urban Kitchen
    December 29, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    Fabulous post! I always thought you could make butter just by whipping heavy cream, but in my case that butter went bad really quickly. Now I see why! Thanks for this post!

    Reply
  • Fouad
    December 29, 2009 at 11:02 pm

    Excellent post. I am so surprised you can butter this way! Do you have a clear photo of the finished product?
    Thanks for sharing
    F

    Reply
  • Carol Egbert
    December 30, 2009 at 8:12 am

    I like to give homemade butter with homemade marmalade.

    Reply
  • glyn
    January 17, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    I remember my grandmother making butter every Sunday morning when I was a boy. You’ve brought back many memories.
    thanks!

    Reply
  • A., Hamill
    March 5, 2011 at 10:44 am

    I am so tired of the ‘butter’ sold in the stores. They do not even contain milk!!When I taught Kg we made butter every year just like this. The kids loved it. I was looking for a recipe for this so I will just stick with this one. It is the best.
    Thanks

    Reply
  • James Kinlaw
    January 25, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    How can I use the “buttermilk”? Can you give me some suggestions, please.

    Thanks

    Jim Kinlaw

    Reply
  • Henrik
    September 7, 2013 at 1:58 am

    @ james
    Use the buttermilk in baking….substututing milk or water….

    Henrik

    Reply
  • vickie
    September 15, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    my 9 year old was wanting to work in the kitchen…the first thing i tought her was how to do butter in a mason jar…she thinks its a wonderful thing and is always in the kitchen…I enjoy the time we get to spend together. Love it.

    Reply
  • Kamal
    June 4, 2015 at 3:42 am

    Kamran I love your blog, your writing and your pictures.
    When I first made butter like this my grandmother said it was a waste as I didn’t first ferment it into yoghurt. So I follow her advise and now have a super tangy taste to the butter.

    Reply
  • Holly
    April 24, 2019 at 2:11 am

    I remember when I was in the 7th grade, we made butter in science class and then I went home and made some in the shape of snowmen (I just put it in a mold) for Christmas! For a 12 year old it was pretty impressive tbh.

    Reply
  • king
    November 6, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    Awesome recipe and directions. I honestly didn’t know making butter was so simple and easy! I tried it for the first time and I has fairly happy with my butter. Straining the buttermilk was the hardest for me, but its not that bad. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Skip to Recipe