Making Your Own Butter

Let me reassure you that this is not an argument in the favor of butter. You already stated that you made your choice. Good for you. However, for those who have also done their research and have found butter to be their desired choice, it is an affordable alternative if you “make your own”.

It is very, very simple and quite cheap, not to mention tasty. When whipping cream or table cream go on sale at the store or maybe a gift of some comes your way, get out your mixer and whip the cream as you would for whipped topping. Only keep whipping just a tad further and you will have butter along with the buttermilk. Drain off the buttermilk and reserve in the fridge for other uses. Squeeze the butter by hand or with a wooden spatula until no more liquid comes out. Then rinse with cold water and give a quick squeeze again. You may add any flavorings, herbs, or salt at this time. Mold or just stick in a clean plastic container and use. Store unused portions in the fridge. By watching sales and checking around to see if someone would be willing to trade fresh milk and cream for something you have to offer, butter can be affordable, no matter how small a person’s budget. Often it can be free. Believe me, I know. Oh yes, children love to watch and assist in this process. So there is the added bonus of a hands on lesson for school that day too. For added fun, place the cream in a sealed coffee container and allow the children to roll it back and forth between them or place in a lidded glass jar and have them shake it. They can actually see the process and get a work out at the same time. Multi-tasking and frugality are a necessity for a ranching, homeschooling, mother of six like me.

With appreciation for the work God has led you to,
Rebecca W