Butter FAQ - Cooking and Baking With Butter

If butter is accidentally melted while softening it for baking, use it for another purpose, such as sautéing, or use it with vegetables or pasta. The physical properties of butter are changed when melted and prevent butter from being mixed properly with the flour in the cookie dough. Butter that has been melted coats the flour in the dough differently than softened butter. Therefore, soften a new stick of butter to use for cookie dough.

Salted and unsalted butter can be used interchangeably. Unsalted butter has all the benefits of salted butter without the salt, so you can control the flavor of your foods.

Stick margarine made from vegetable oil may be substituted for butter in most baking applications except pastry recipes and candy, made from a boiled syrup. Using margarine will produce a softer dough than one made with butter, and may not have the same flavor as butter.

1/2 cup of butter is equal to 1 stick.

2 cups = 4 sticks = 1 pound

1 cup = 2 sticks = 1/2 pound

1/2 cup = 1 stick = 1/4 pound

1/4 cup = 1/2 stick = 4 tablespoons

The wrapping on LAND O LAKES® Butter sticks is conveniently marked into tablespoons for easy measuring. If you don't have sticks, press softened butter into a measuring cup, pressing to remove any air pockets.

Yes, full sticks and half sticks have the same sweet cream taste because they are both made with Grade AA quality butter.

Half sticks are individually wrapped in a ¼ cup size to keep the butter tasting fresher longer. It is ultra-convenient in recipes that call for a ¼ cup of butter.

It is best to use the butter by the code date stated on the package to ensure quality. However, under optimal storage conditions, butter may be suitable for use beyond this date. This determination is up to each individual consumer.

Soften butter slightly for easier mixing by removing from refrigerator and letting stand 30 to 45 minutes at room temperature.

To soften butter quickly, cut into chunks and allow to soften at room temperature about 15 minutes.

If time is limited, place an unwrapped stick of butter between two sheets of waxed or parchment paper and flatten with a rolling pin.

The Land O’Lakes Test Kitchens recommend that you do not soften butter in the microwave for use in baking. The butter can quickly melt even when watched carefully.

To soften butter for non-baking purposes, like spreading on bread or baked-goods, place butter in the microwave and select the defrost setting (30% power). Check sticks of butter every 5 seconds so that they do not over-soften or melt.

We recommend that you follow the “Keep refrigerated” directions printed on the butter packaging. This follows USDA and FDA guidelines that state most dairy products should be stored in refrigerated conditions. We also recommend butter be used by the date stamped on the packaging.

You may also want to use LAND O LAKES® Spreadable Butter with Canola Oil. It is easy to spread - no need to soften! You can use it right from the refrigerator.

To soften butter in the microwave use the defrost setting (30% power). Check sticks of butter every 5 seconds so that they do not over-soften or melt.

You may also want to use LAND O LAKES® Spreadable Butter with Canola Oil. It is easy to spread - no need to soften! You can use it right from the refrigerator.

Once opened, refrigerate butter, in its original container in the coldest part of the refrigerator, not in the refrigerator door. To further protect butter, store in a resealable plastic food bag.

Fresh butter should have a delicate cream flavor and pale yellow color. Butter quickly picks up “off” flavors during storage and when exposed to oxygen. The FlavorProtect ™ Wrapper , found on LAND O LAKES® Salted and Unsalted Butter, is specially designed to keep the creamy taste you love in and other flavors out. However, for further protection, store butter away from foods with strong odors, such as onions or garlic.

Butter can be frozen in its original carton for up to four months from the time of purchase. To protect the delicate flavor of butter, wrap the carton in aluminum foil or in an airtight, resealable plastic freezer food bag before freezing. Once the butter has been thawed, it should be used within 30 days.

We do not recommend freezing our Butter with Canola Oil, Butter with Olive Oil, Light Butter with Canola Oil, Cinnamon Sugar Butter Spread, or Honey Butter Spread

In the Test Kitchens, we’ve found the best way to cook with butter is frying over a medium heat - caramelizing to bring out the natural sweetness in vegetables and adding richness to sauces.

The pure, sweet cream taste of butter can complement and enhance the flavor in your favorite dishes. Butter provides a smooth and creamy texture that is especially important in sauces.

By adding just enough canola oil to our pure, sweet cream butter, it makes the product spreadable right out of the refrigerator.

Yes. Taste and performance are the same as regular butter. Fudge and frosting even improve in taste and texture. Plus there’s no need to soften as it is ready to use right from the refrigerator.

By adding just enough canola oil to our pure, sweet cream butter, it makes the product spreadable right out of the refrigerator.

We do not recommend freezing Light Butter with Canola Oil.

We do not recommend freezing Butter with Olive Oil.

We do not recommend freezing Honey Butter Spread.