Properly softened butter is important to baking. If you want to bake but don't have time to let the butter come to room temperature, here are a few techniques to soften cold butter quickly:
Image via Wikipedia- Grate the butter on the large holes of a box grater in to a bowl.
- Cut the butter into 1/2 inch pieces and place on a plate next to the oven as it preheats (about 20 minutes).
- Knead the cubed butter in the mixing bowl with your hands until butter is malleable.
- Put the butter on a piece of wax paper or parchment, cover with another piece of wax paper and roll out thin. Butter will soften quickly.
Image via Wikipedia - Put the butter and sugar in the bowl of a large mixer with the paddle attachment and beat on low speed until the butter softens, then increase the speed to high and cream as usual.
Image via Wikipedia
