Making homemade butter often has a reputation for being labor-intensive, but I’m here to show you how to master this surprisingly simple skill. My step-by-step butter recipe breaks down the process. This is the only butter recipe you’ll ever need, with a creamy, rich flavor that will leave you wondering why you ever bought butter from the store. Let me guide you!

a close up of Homemade Butter next to a plate of buttered toast - 1

Homemade butter is truly a treat to eat. The subtle flavor of the creamy buttermilk shines through, so you’ll want to slather it thickly on your toast! 😋

We’re taking a deep dive and sharing how to make delicious, creamy butter at home. You’ll see how easy it is with whipping cream and a stand or electric mixer. It’s a satisfying process that will make you feel like a kitchen rockstar, and the mixer does all the work!

Sometimes, we like to take shortcuts in the kitchen, but making homemade butter is so delicious that it’s worth the extra effort.

It tastes so much better than store-bought that you may never go back to buying conventional butter again. It’s also a fun and easy activity to do with kids!

Why you’ll love this homemade butter recipe

  • It’s easy to make
  • It tastes so much better than store-bought
  • It’s versatile for cooking, baking, and enjoying bread or baked goods
Homemade Butter and toast on a plate - 2

I sometimes make this when we have friends over. While butter and bread might seem like a simple thing to put out for guests, when it’s homemade butter, there are oohs and aahs all around. I also set out a little bowl of flaky salt so people can sprinkle some over their buttered bread.

What you’ll need for making homemade butter

You only really need one ingredient to make homemade butter – whipping cream. I like to add a little sea salt, but that’s a personal preference and totally optional!

  • Whipping cream: Organic, grass-fed cream will yield butter with the best flavor. But even conventional cream will still give you delicious tasting butter.
  • Sea salt – the salt is optional, but it’s delicious and enhances the flavors. It can also act as a preservative and extend the shelf life of your butter.

For kitchen equipment you’ll need a fine-meshed sieve, a mixing bowl, a spatula, and a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or an electric mixer.

How to make homemade butter

Making homemade butter is easy with the right tools and a container of cream. Here are the detailed steps to show you what the cream will look like at different stages and what to watch for in the process.

Image for recipe instruction, A black stand mixer is whipping a light, creamy homemade butter in a metal bowl on a marble surface. The attachment is lifted, revealing the rich texture clinging to the whisk. - 3

Step 1.Use a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or electric beaters to make thick whipped cream.

image for recipe instruction. An electric mixer with a whisk attachment is shown on a stand mixer, containing creamy, yellow homemade butter in a metal bowl. The butter clings to the whisk, indicating the process of mixing or whipping ingredients. - 4

Step 2:Reduce the speed and keep churning until it separates. You’ll know you’re getting close when the butter sticks to the beaters. The liquid is the buttermilk!

Tip ⇢ When the buttermilk starts to separate from the butter, it can get pretty splashy. Cover the bowl with a tea towel to keep your kitchen clean.

image for recipe instruction. A mesh strainer brimming with homemade butter curds rests over a glass bowl, capturing the liquid whey beneath, all set on a pristine white marble countertop. - 5

Step 3:Now it’s time to strain off the buttermilk.

image for recipe instruction. A mixing bowl containing curdled milk with a black spatula, ready to be transformed into smooth homemade butter. - 6

Step 4:Place the butter in a bowl and pour cold water over it. Use your hands or a spatula to knead the butter and rinse off any remaining buttermilk. Drain and repeat this process until the water is clear.

Tip ⇢ Store the buttermilk in a jar or container in the fridge and use it to make one of these recipes:

  • Buttermilk Panna Cotta
  • Creamy Lemon Buttermilk Dressing
  • Creamsicle Orange Sherbert
  • No Yeast Bread
image for recipe instruction. Mixing salt into homemade butter on a white plate that has a black silicone spatula resting on top. - 7

Step 5:If you’re using salt, put the butter onto a plate, sprinkle it over the top, and mix it into the butter.

image for recipe instruction. A wrapped block of butter, marked Homemade Butter in black marker, sits on a white marble surface. - 8

Step 6:Voila! Your butter is ready. You can wrap it up for later or slather it on a piece of toast.

Storing homemade butter

Store: It’s best to store homemade butter in the fridge. Wrap it in wax paper or put it into a jar and use it within 2 weeks. If you leave it on your counter, it will only keep for 1-2 days before the buttermilk starts to go off.

Freeze: Butter freezes well. Wrap it first in wax paper, then add an aluminum foil layer to prevent freezer burn. It will keep for up to 6 months in the freezer.

Homemade butter recipe tips

While making butter at home is simple, here are a few things to consider in the process:

There’s no need to complicate matters by using cheesecloth or muslin. A fine-mesh sieve works perfectly well for draining the buttermilk from the butter.

  • Higher quality cream = better butter. We use a 36% milk-fat cream for a creamier texture and more delicious taste.
  • If you’re eating the butter right away, you don’t need to rinse it. A little buttermilk in it actually makes it taste amazing. If you’re storing it for any length of time, we recommend rinsing it because it will keep it from spoiling and extend its shelf life.
  • You can flavor your butter with citrus zest, minced garlic, or freshly chopped herbs.

Ways to use homemade butter

Homemade butter is fresh, creamy, and full of flavor. It’s perfect for using any time you’d use regular butter in cooking or baking. It has a higher fat content which also means the butter will have a higher smoke point. This makes it more stable for cooking at higher temperatures.

My favorite way to enjoy it is simply to spread it on fresh bread or biscuits with a bit of jam, like my rhubarb strawberry chia jam . Here are a few other ideas that taste great using homemade butter:

  • Use it to make grilled cheese
  • Butter up some pasta
  • Use it to sear chicken – it adds the best flavor!
  • Melt some into your rice.
  • Add some to your roasted veggies for a buttery finish.
Two slices of bread with homemade butter on a white plate, accompanied by a butter dish and a black butter knife. - 9 Two slices of bread with homemade butter on a white plate, accompanied by a butter dish and a black butter knife. - 10

Homemade Butter Recipe

  • Pin
Homemade Butter Recipe - 11

Ingredients

  • ▢ 2 cups whipping cream
  • ▢ ½ teaspoon sea salt (optional)

Instructions

  • Pour the cream into a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Beat the cream at medium-high speed until it becomes thick whipping cream. 2 cups whipping cream
  • Reduce the speed to medium-low and continue to beat the cream until it separates and the butter sticks to the beaters. You may want to cover the bowl during this step to prevent splatters.
  • Set a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl and carefully pour the liquid through it.
  • Put the butter into a clean bowl and pour COLD water over the top. Use your hands or a spatula to knead the butter to clean any remaining buttermilk. Drain the water and repeat this process until the water is clear.
  • If you’re using salt, put the butter onto a plate and sprinkle the salt over the top then mix it into the butter. ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • Store the butter either wrapped in waxed paper or in a jar in your fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .

Two slices of bread with homemade butter on a white plate, accompanied by a butter dish and a black butter knife. - 12 Two slices of bread with homemade butter on a white plate, accompanied by a butter dish and a black butter knife. - 13

Did you make this?

We love to see what you made! Tag @theendlessmeal or hashtag #theendlessmeal !

a brick of homemade butter beside pieces of buttered toast - 14

Slathering a thick layer of homemade butter onto bread is one of life’s simple pleasures.

Two slices of bread with homemade butter on a white plate, accompanied by a butter dish and a black butter knife. - 15

Homemade Butter Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whipping cream
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt , optional

Instructions

  • Pour the cream into a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Beat the cream at medium-high speed until it becomes thick whipping cream. 2 cups whipping cream
  • Reduce the speed to medium-low and continue to beat the cream until it separates and the butter sticks to the beaters. You may want to cover the bowl during this step to prevent splatters.
  • Set a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl and carefully pour the liquid through it.
  • Put the butter into a clean bowl and pour COLD water over the top. Use your hands or a spatula to knead the butter to clean any remaining buttermilk. Drain the water and repeat this process until the water is clear.
  • If you’re using salt, put the butter onto a plate and sprinkle the salt over the top then mix it into the butter. ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • Store the butter either wrapped in waxed paper or in a jar in your fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

https://www.theendlessmeal.com/homemade-butter/