So, I poured heavy cream into the Kitchen-Aid mixer
At first it just sloshed around, and to be completely honest, I had to turn the mixer
It was about at that point where I turned the mixer off and scraped everything back into the center, since it was looking yellow on the inside and white and soft on the outside. Anyone who's ever owned a Kitchen-Aid
I turned the mixer
I had made...butter!!
Quickly I shut off the mixer
After the actual production of butter comes the one step that causes the most "ewwwww..." of people that I know attempting to make butter: the washing. But it is a very necessary step, as butter with buttermilk still in it can turn rancid quite quickly, and then what will the efforts have been for in the first place? Not much, I can tell you that. So, therefore, I used a wooden spatula
Another method of washing the butter is to fill a bowl about halfway with water and sloosh the butter around in it, then drain and fill again, slooshing until the water runs clear. But I have the equipment for the other method, and to be honest found it quite satisfying.
Since I don't own a butter mold I rolled the whole thing up in waxed paper and pressed it tight. What the process really consists of is scooping part of the butter onto the paper, sprinkling a little kosher salt on it, and then scooping some more, although if you wanted to go without the salt I don't see the harm in it.
To be sure, we'll have to eat the butter soon, as it doesn't have any preservatives in it, really, but speaking honestly, I don't see a problem with the butter being gone soon. In fact, those that I live with are already fantasizing about getting the butter gone so that I will make more - and this time they can actually watch!
Okay, so, just to provide a cost breakdown, I've found store-bought butter anywhere from $2.98 (lowest price) for a pound to as high as $4.09 at some stores, depending on the brand. I spent $3.36 for a carton of heavy whipping cream at WalMart plus $0.50 for a small container of organic yogurt with live culture. So, altogether, I spent $3.86.
While realizing that it doesn't seem cheaper, per se, to make the butter, I have a justification: remember that byproduct I told you about?? Yeah, that, the buttermilk. Think about how much even a pint of buttermilk costs. I got it for free. So, if you look at the fact that making butter leaves you with not just one product but two, it's definately a deal-saver. As an added bonus, you're not picking up product after product at the store - you buy one and you get two!
So there ends the tale of our first butter-making experience. Next time we'll have pictures to post that show others just how easy it really is - we would have had some this time, but the camera would not cooperate, no matter what we did.
Thank you everyone, more coming soon!
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