How to Make Butter at Home

Cabot farmer Brooke Gladstone of Newmont Farm knows a thing or two about making butter. Though she’s as passionate as all of us at Cabot about our own award-winning butters, which have been named America’s best, she learned growing up that making homemade butter is a fun activity that brings people together and imparts some valuable (and delicious) lessons along the way. As a working dairy farmer, she loves sharing this wonderful skill with others. Plus, she adds when talking about making butter with her three daughters, “it’s hard to be on technology when you’re shaking a mason jar.”

There are numerous methods to craft homemade butter, but one particularly enjoyable and easy approach suitable for people of all ages and skill levels involves the use of a mason jar. The required ingredients are simple: just a jar and some heavy cream. Alternatively, if you prefer a less strenuous process, a hand or stand mixer can be used instead.

Why Making Homemade Butter Is the Best

Flavor: Though homemade butter is scrumptious just as it is, Brooke and her family also like to swirl maple syrup and a pinch of salt into their homemade butter for a sweet twist. For a savory option, they add garlic and fresh rosemary from their garden. When it comes to enjoying butter, Brooke says, “the options are endless for all the flavors you can add.” Use your fresh butter in this deliciously decadent recipe: Garlic and Herb Compound Butter

Salt: Making butter at home allows you to control the salt or seasoning. Whether you prefer your butter salted or not, making at home gives you the option of doing so, so you can use the butter in a variety of ways.

To let you try your own hand at butter making, we’re sharing two butter recipes that are fun, family-friendly, require minimal ingredients and equipment, and will have you enjoying your own butter in only minutes. First time butter makers are often surprised at how deliciously easy it is to make your own creamy, delicious butter for spreading and baking. Give it a try!

How to make Butter in a Food Processor

If you have a food processor, this butter recipe couldn’t be easier. Just pour heavy cream into the processor and watch it churn that cream into butter solids in just a few minutes. Add a pinch of salt if desired and spread away. Yummy.

Ingredients

• 1 pint heavy cream (high fat content)
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• Ice water

Step 1: Process & drain off buttermilkStep 2: Process & add water, and then drainStep 3: Add Salt (if desired) and drain any excess liquid

How to make Butter in a Mason Jar

If you don’t have a food processor, or you’re looking to get more hands-on, you can also follow Brooke’s lead and whip up a batch of creamy homemade butter in a mason jar. Just shake, and then shake some more. Like kids visiting the farm, it’s a bit more work, but the reward will be all the sweeter. Click here for the full recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 pint heavy cream (high fat content)
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• Ice water
• Quart sized Mason jar

Step 1: Shake itStep 2: Drain off buttermilkStep 3: Work it & add salt (if desired!)Step 4: Enjoy it!

Butter Flavoring Tips: 

Though homemade butter is scrumptious just as it is, Brooke and her family also like to swirl maple syrup and a pinch of salt into their homemade butter for a sweet twist. For a savory option, they add garlic and fresh rosemary from their garden. When it comes to enjoying butter, Brooke says, “the options are endless for all the flavors you can add.” Use your fresh butter in this deliciously decadent recipe:

Garlic and Herb Compound Butter

Don’t feel like making your own butter? That’s ok! Our farmer owners have you covered with our award-winning butters. Find them in a store near you.

Looking for more how-tos? Check out our guide to all things Cabot.