To get butter to room temperature fast, here are some effective methods:
- The Glass/Bowl Method: Heat water in a vessel, then pour out the water and turn the vessel upside down over the wrapped butter. The heat trapped inside softens the butter in about 10 minutes.
- Grating the Butter: Use a box grater to grate cold butter into thin shreds. The small shreds soften quickly, usually within 5 minutes.
- Cutting Into Small Cubes: Cut the cold butter into 1-2 cm cubes and leave them out. Smaller pieces soften faster, typically in around 15-20 minutes.
- Use Warm Steam: Place boiling water in a microwave or oven-safe bowl, then remove it and put the butter inside the warm environment for a few minutes.
- Rolling Pin Flattening: Put the butter stick between two sheets of parchment or in a plastic bag and flatten it with a rolling pin. This softens the butter quickly.
Avoid microwaving directly on high power as butter can melt too fast; instead, use low power and short intervals if microwaving. These methods enable softening butter efficiently within 5 to 15 minutes instead of waiting for 1-2 hours at room temperature.
