Tip: How to Soften Butter Quickly The quick way to soften butter for baking, with a little wax paper and a rolling pin. Elise microwave shortbread uk Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
The quick way to soften butter for baking, with a little wax paper and a rolling pin. To get air bubbles into it which will expand when baking. The best thing to do to soften your butter is to put it out on the kitchen counter for a half hour before you have to use it. But sometimes we don’t think that far ahead. One popular solution is to put the cold butter in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds.
The problem with microwaving butter is that the microwave can heat the butter unevenly, and tends to over-soften or even melt the butter in places. A New York Times article on butter in baking says, “Never use a microwave: it will melt it, even though it will look solid. When the butter is still cold, but takes the imprint of a finger when gently pressed, it is ready to be creamed. You want pliable butter for beating, not almost melting butter. Grate the cold butter using the large holes of a cheese grater. See below for how to soften butter quickly using some wax paper and a rolling pin.
This trick was taught to me several years ago by my neighbor, pastry chef Evie Lieb, who told me that she learned about it from a collective of Bay Area bakers called the “Baker’s Dozen”. Sign up for our weekly newsletters! Assign a randomly-generated, eight character, alpha-numeric value to this property. Invalid attempt to spread non-iterable instance. Invalid attempt to iterate non-iterable instance. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
These shortbread squares are versatile — one cookie, three delicious variations. To make Chocolate-Peppermint Shortbread Squares: Using electric mixer, beat butter on medium speed until smooth. On low, gradually add confectioners’ sugar until fully incorporated. Add heavy cream and pure peppermint extract and beat 2 minutes. Spread over cooled crust and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. To make Toffee-Pecan Shortbread Squares: In heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Pour mixture over cooled crust and sprinkle with flaky salt.