Make your own butter: A tasty, affordable alternative to store-bought

A homemade recipe for butter can replace the increasingly expensive store-bought blocks. Currently, the cost of purchasing butter in the store can reach up to $2.50. Moreover, producers are looking to cut costs, so they secretly reduce package sizes, a change driven by inflation and rising energy prices.

Promotions on butter in popular discount stores don't help the situation. Often, butter runs out shortly after a promotion starts, and only a few people can snag the lower price. In such cases, making butter yourself is a great solution.

You only need a few ingredients and a standard mixer, blender, or another kitchen appliance to make butter. If you're patient, you can try using a jar with a lid or a bottle. It is crucial to use heavy cream with at least 30% fat, though 36% or cream from a local farmer would be ideal. This is the basic ingredient that will determine the quality of your homemade butter.

The cream should be at the right temperature. Ideally, it should be at room temperature—take it out of the fridge well in advance, but don't let it get too warm. Too high a temperature will make forming butter difficult, and too low will slow down the whipping process. A good method is to take the cream out of the fridge the evening before you plan to prepare it.

• 1.3 pounds of 30% or 36% cream;
• A pinch of salt for seasoning.

• Pour the cream into a blender, another mixing vessel, jar, or bottle;
• Blend at the highest speed for about 6 minutes;
• The cream will change consistency during blending;
• Butter will start forming as clear, yellow chunks;
• Strain the remaining buttermilk through a sieve, and shape the butter by hand or with a large spoon;
• Form into a ball or another shape and store in the fridge;
• Done!