Molded butter is a fun way to make your meals more flavorful and festive. If you make your own butter, molding the finished product into sticks is a practical option for easy storage and use. But, how to mold butter? The process of molding is relatively simple and can be completed in just a couple of hours.
Butter Molding Essentials
The first step in learning how to mold butter is choosing the molds that you want to use. A variety of materials, including wood, glass and ceramic, were traditionally used to make decorative pats of butter for special occasions.
Today, silicone is a wise choice for anyone learning how to mold butter. These soft molds are flexible, making unmolding a little faster, and are usually dishwasher safe. Silicone molds are available in dozens of styles so you can create butter pats suited for any occasion.
Prep the Butter and Mold
Cold butter must be softened for perfectly detailed molds. Smaller silicone molds, such as candy molds, generally don’t require any prep. Spray the interior of larger and non-silicone molds with cooking spray to easily remove the butter after it is chilled.
To prep your butter, store it at room temperature until it is slightly softened. Avoid softening butter in the microwave. If you are in a hurry, try placing the butter in a bowl that is partially immersed in warm water.
Filling and Chilling to Mold the Butter
After the butter is soft enough to spread easily, you are ready to begin filling your molds. Press the butter into the molds with an offset spatula, making sure to fill each side completely to remove air bubbles. Smooth the top of each mold with a knife after it is filled.
Put your filled molds into the freezer until the butter is cold and firm. Typically, the butter is ready to unmold after around 30 minutes. If the butter is still to soft after the first 30 minutes, allow it to remain in the freezer until it is completely chilled.
Unmolding Butter
To remove the chilled butter from a flexible mold like silicone, press the bottom of each mold lightly until the butter pops out. If you are using a rigid mold, such as those made from glass, set the mold in a bowl of warm water for a few seconds to loosen the butter.
Be careful not to leave the mold in the warm water for too long, as the warm water can melt the butter in a very short time. After the butter is loosened, it should release from the mold easily.
Tap the bottom of the mold lightly if you have trouble removing the butter. Store your molded butter in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to serve.