How To Soften Butter FAST (6 Ways!)
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Need softened butter for a recipe but forgot to take it out of the fridge? We’ve all been there. Whether you’re making cookies, cakes, muffins, or a batch of homemade frosting, properly softened butter is key for the best texture and results.
The good news? You don’t have to wait hours for butter to come to room temperature. In this guide, I’m sharing 6 easy ways to soften butter fast, from simple countertop tricks to kitchen hacks that can have your butter ready in just a few minutes. No more last-minute baking delays or accidentally melted butter disasters!
Whether you need softened butter right now or just want to know the quickest method for your situation, these foolproof techniques will save the day.
Table Talk with Tawnie
If you are ever in the mood to bake, but don’t want to wait 45 min – 1 hour for your butter to soften, try my tips and tricks on how to soften butter FAST! Let me know in the comments which method you try and which is your favorite!
How-To Guides & Tutorials
Master essential kitchen skills with these helpful how-to guides featuring step-by-step posts for everyday cooking basics like boiling eggs, cutting onions, caramelizing onions, and more. Perfect for beginner cooks or anyone looking to build confidence in the kitchen.
Important Notes
Butter should be ~65-68°F for perfectly softened butter. Your finger should leave an indentation when you press on it, it should bend without breaking, and not feel warm. Too warm butter will look greasy or shiny.
Cut It Into Small Cubes
- Cut butter into small cubes (about 1/2-inch pieces)
- Spread butter out on a plate or just leave it on the wrapper is fine, too!
- Let it sit at room temperature for ~10-20 minutes. The increased surface area helps it soften much faster than leaving the stick whole.
Warm Glass Method
- Fill a glass or measuring cup with hot water.
- Let it sit for 1 minute
- Pour out the water.
- Place the warm glass upside down over the butter and allow it to sit for ~5 minutes.
- If it’s not soft enough, repeat the process again, but be sure it doesn’t get too warm for your recipe.
Grater, Cheese Slicer, or Potato/Vegetable Peeler
- Use the large holes of a box grater and grate the cold butter onto a plate, allowing it to sit for ~5-10 minutes. The small pieces soften very quickly, so this is a great method (especially if your butter is frozen!)
- You can also use a cheese slicer or potato peeler to make thin ribbons that soften very quickly. I grate over a plate, and allow to sit a few minutes until softened.
Rolling Pin and SMASH!
- Place butter between two sheets of parchment paper or in a ziplock baggie.
- Pound and smash that butter until malleable. Also satisfying to get any frustrations out! Haha
- Allow to sit ~5 minutes.
- A large surface area brings the butter to room temperature more quickly.
Sweatpants (LOL trust me)
- Okay so it doesn’t have to be sweats, but take the wrapped butter and tuck it in your waistband for ~10-15 minutes. I do this quite often, while I am gathering all my other ingredients for the recipe, the butter is softening thanks to my body temperature. Check it every few minutes and flip the stick if you need to!
Microwave (Not my favorite, but it does work!)
- Microwave in short 5 second bursts, flipping between bursts.
- This method is just a little risky which is why it’s not my favorite!
FAQ
What happens if my butter melts instead of softens?
Melted butter behaves differently than softened butter in recipes. When a recipe calls for softened butter, it’s usually because the butter needs to be creamed with sugar to create air pockets for a light, fluffy texture. Melted butter can lead to dense cakes or cookies that spread too much.
How soft should butter be for baking?
Butter should be ~65-68°F for perfectly softened butter. Your finger should leave an indentation when you press on it, it should bend without breaking, and not feel warm. Too warm butter will look greasy or shiny.
Can I use frozen butter?
Yes! Frozen butter can be grated with a box grater, which is one of the fastest ways to soften it. The small shreds will come to room temperature in just a few minutes.
Can I soften butter ahead of time?
Absolutely! If you know you’ll be baking later in the day, simply place the butter on the counter 30 to 60 minutes before you need it.
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How To Soften Butter FAST (6 Ways!)
Ingredients
- Butter
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
Cut It Into Small Cubes
- Cut butter into small cubes (about ½-inch pieces)
- Spread butter out on a plate or just leave it on the wrapper is fine, too!
- Let it sit at room temperature for ~10-20 minutes Start Timer. The increased surface area helps it soften much faster than leaving the stick whole.
Warm Glass Method
- Fill a glass or measuring cup with hot water.
- Let it sit for 1 minute Start Timer.
- Pour out the water.
- Place the warm glass upside down over the butter and allow it to sit for ~5 minutes. Start Timer
- If it’s not soft enough, repeat the process again, but be sure it doesn’t get too warm for your recipe.
Grater, Cheese Slicer, or Potato/Vegetable Peeler
- Use the large holes of a box grater and grate the cold butter onto a plate, allowing it to sit for ~5-10 minutes Start Timer. The small pieces soften very quickly so this is a great method (especially if your butter is frozen!)
- You can also use a cheese slicer or potato peeler to make thin ribbons that soften very quickly. I grate over a plate, and allow to sit a few minutes until softened.
Rolling Pin and SMASH!
- Place butter between two sheets of parchment paper or in a ziplock baggie.
- Pound and smash that butter until malleable. Also satisfying to get any frustrations out! haha
- Allow to sit ~5 minutes. Start Timer
- A large surface area brings the butter to room temperature more quickly.
Sweatpants (LOL trust me)
- Okay, so it doesn’t have to be sweats, but take the wrapped butter and tuck it in your waistband for ~10-15 minutes Start Timer. I do this quite often, while I am gathering all my other ingredients for the recipe, the butter is softening thanks to my body temperature. Check it every few minutes and flip the stick if you need to!
Microwave (not my favorite but it does work!)
- Microwave in short 5 second bursts, flipping between bursts.
- This method is just a little risky which is why it’s not my favorite!
Notes
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
📸 Photos by Megan McKeehan of The Broke Girl Table
