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Spoon picking up creamed butter and sugar out of bowl.
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How To Cream Butter and Sugar

Learn How To Cream Butter and Sugar the right way with this easy step-by-step guide. Discover the best butter temperature, mixing tips, and common mistakes to avoid for perfect baking results every time.
Keyword how to cream butter and sugar
Author Tawnie Graham of Kroll's Korner

Equipment

Ingredients

  • Butter, softened
  • Sugar, type of sugar(s) will depend on specific recipe you're following

Instructions

  • Add to bowl: Add the softened butter and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer.
    Butter, Sugar
    Cubed softened butter and sugar in stand mixer bowl.
  • Beat: Beat the softened butter and sugar(s) together on medium speed for 2-4 minutes (depending on batch size). Start Timer
    Side-by-side image of the beginning stages of creaming butter and sugar.
  • Scrape and continue: Scrape down the bowl halfway through mixing and keep beating until the mixture becomes pale in color, fluffy in texture, and increases slightly in volume.
    Side-by-side image of showing the last few stages of creaming butter and sugar.
  • Use: Once your butter becomes light and airy, stop the mixer. Use your creamed butter and sugar as the recipe directs and enjoy!
    Spoon scooping up creamed butter and sugar.

Notes

  1. What you’re looking for: The mixture should become pale in color, fluffy in texture, and increase slightly in volume.
  2. Be careful not to overmix: you want it light and airy, not white and whipped. Scrape down the bowl halfway through mixing.
    1. If it’s under-creamed, it will look dense and heavy, similar to wet sand. 
    2. The perfectly creamed texture will look noticeably lighter in color (pale yellow is what you’re looking for) and fluffy like peanut butter.
    3. If over-creamed, it will look very pale, almost white in color, and too fluffy/whipped.