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America’s Test Kitchen recently posted their Top 10 YouTube Videos for 2012. My favorite is their video on how to quickly soften butter.
I’m one of those bakers who usually forgets to take the butter out of the fridge, so this is the perfect tip for me.
How about you? What’s your favorite baking tip?
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What a good idea, will try it next time!
Had a disaster yesterday as I usually soften it in the microwave, but microwave died and I left the butter by the radiator, forgot it and was totally melted.
I usually soften in microwave in 10 second increments, turning it over. My biggest tip is freezing sliced butter for pie dough. If I get real feisty, I freeze the flour too.
I remembered seeing the title of your post in my inbox recently and used this method when I wanted to make banana bread and my butter wasn’t softened. It really works! I found turning the plastic bag inside out really helped to get the butter out easily.
Thanks for this GREAT tip. I am excited to try this the next time I forget. I do the microwave trick, or cutting it in small pieces. I read in Ina Garten’s cookbook that she leaves the sticks of butter on the counter the night before she plans to bake and needs room temp butter. I haven’t tried that as I “forget”.
No special tricks on my end, but I ALWAYS use great vanilla and Penzey’s cinnamon when baking as I just adore it. Happy New Year!
Put the butter on a plate and stick it in the microwave on medium for 1 minute but knowing you have to actually stop the cycle at 25 seconds. Answer the phone and forget to stop the microwave at the 25 second mark. Remove the completely melted butter from the microwave, slopping some on the counter in the process. Warm up soap and water and clean the entire inside surfaces of the microwave and the countertop. Pour the melted butter into a container and put back in the fridge to harden a bit. Forget the butter until it gets too hard.
Repeat.
I think the first cooking tip I was ever given is so extremely simple but I seldom see it done. Put a cover on water you are boiling. It will heat up much quicker. A watched pot may never boil but one that is covered will boil faster. 🙂
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What a good idea, will try it next time!
Had a disaster yesterday as I usually soften it in the microwave, but microwave died and I left the butter by the radiator, forgot it and was totally melted.
Great tip!
Thanks a lot Barbara!
Missy,
The Good Review
Sometimes I use the 10 second/turn over in the microwave but this sounds much less likely to get meltdown. Thanks for sharing the video.
I usually soften in microwave in 10 second increments, turning it over. My biggest tip is freezing sliced butter for pie dough. If I get real feisty, I freeze the flour too.
I remembered seeing the title of your post in my inbox recently and used this method when I wanted to make banana bread and my butter wasn’t softened. It really works! I found turning the plastic bag inside out really helped to get the butter out easily.
A very helpful tip! Thanks for sharing, Barbara.
Happy New Year to you.
Thanks for this GREAT tip. I am excited to try this the next time I forget. I do the microwave trick, or cutting it in small pieces. I read in Ina Garten’s cookbook that she leaves the sticks of butter on the counter the night before she plans to bake and needs room temp butter. I haven’t tried that as I “forget”.
No special tricks on my end, but I ALWAYS use great vanilla and Penzey’s cinnamon when baking as I just adore it. Happy New Year!
Thanks Winnie – I’ve heard how great Penzey’s spices are before. I need to give them a try. Happy New Year!
I usually take the butter out early enough. If not, then after I do I just head for my computer. Then, I need to remember to get back to the butter. 🙂
A tip I learned early on was to check out all of the ingredients BEFORE I started in- including Baking Powder & muffin liners.
Happy New Year to you and your family, Barbara!
~Judy
I’ve had that problem too! 🙂 Happy New Year!
That’s a great tip… I’ve squished it in a plastic bag by hand, but you risk melting it so I like this option much better.
This would be way too easy. I prefer my method.
Put the butter on a plate and stick it in the microwave on medium for 1 minute but knowing you have to actually stop the cycle at 25 seconds. Answer the phone and forget to stop the microwave at the 25 second mark. Remove the completely melted butter from the microwave, slopping some on the counter in the process. Warm up soap and water and clean the entire inside surfaces of the microwave and the countertop. Pour the melted butter into a container and put back in the fridge to harden a bit. Forget the butter until it gets too hard.
Repeat.
I think the first cooking tip I was ever given is so extremely simple but I seldom see it done. Put a cover on water you are boiling. It will heat up much quicker. A watched pot may never boil but one that is covered will boil faster. 🙂
LOL – I’ve done that more times than I’d like to admit. Thanks for the tip! It’s a great one to remember.
I am usually good about setting butter out early in the AM, but sometimes I forget and then I need to do something like this 🙂 Happy New Year!
Great tip.
Best wishes for 2013!
Cheers,
Rosa
Why not just whirl the butter around in the food mixer before adding the sugar? That’s what I do if the butter is hard.
Happy New Year Barbara! I’ve loved your posts this year.