Learn how to soften butter fast! When you forget to set out butter out ahead of time, try these few methods to quickly soften butter to achieve the ideal consistency for recipes that require room temperature butter.

setting out five sticks of butter on white counter to soften butter.

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There are many recipes that often specify using room temperature butter, also known as softened butter, for a good reason. Let’s dive into why recipe creators emphasize the importance; did you know that the temperature of butter can have a significant impact on the success of a recipe? It’s true!

What is Softened Butter?

Butter is a solid fat, a delicious one at that, and has a vastly different consistency depending on its temperature. Just like Allie states in How to Measure Ingredients for Baking Accurately, baking is a true science. Butter is able to hold air and during the creaming process is when the butter traps in that air. When baking those cookies or that cake, that trapped air expands and produces a fluffier texture; likewise, when making frosting the butter emulsifies more evenly creating a more fluffy and smooth frosting. If the butter is too soft or melted, it won’t hold the air and deflates the baked goods.

room temperature butter in wrapper with finger mark.

How to Soften Butter Quickly

The best way to soften butter is to simply leave it out on the counter about 1-2 hours before you need it. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably forgotten to do this and remember when you’re just about to start the recipe, or maybe you just didn’t have the time.

There are many tricks to softening butter quickly and these are what have worked best for me (and Allie!) You will find that one or two, maybe all of them, end up being your preferred method when you’re in a pinch. Each method is for 1 stick (1/2 cup) of butter.

Trick #1: Microwave the Butter

Place the stick of butter on a microwave-safe dish. Use low power (around 30%) and microwave for 10 seconds. Then, turn it over and on low power, microwave for 8 seconds more. If it has not reached room temperature yet, flip once more and on low power, microwave for 5 seconds.

Trick #2: Microwave Steaming

Pour 2 cups of water into a microwave-safe cup or bowl– I often use a liquid measuring cup. Microwave it for 3 minutes until extremely hot, near or just boiling. Meanwhile, slice the butter into roughly even slices (8-10 slices) and place it in a heatproof bowl or plate.

Carefully remove the water from the microwave and quickly place the butter in the microwave. Let it sit for 10-12 minutes– the remaining heat and steam will soften the butter.

water in a liquid measuring cup on a white counter.

Trick #3: Glass or Cup Steaming

Pour 2 cups of water into a microwave-safe cup or bowl that is large enough to cover the butter– I often use a 2-cup or 4-cup liquid measuring cup. Microwave it for 3 minutes until extremely hot, near or just boiling. Let it sit for 3 minutes to further warm the cup. (Alternatively, fill a heatproof bowl or cup with boiling water and let it sit for 3 minutes.)

Place the wrapped butter on a plate standing up. Pour the water out of the cup and place immediately over the butter. Check at the 6-minute mark, then every minute after– it will take about 7-9 minutes. Unwrap the butter and let it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes, if desired, you can cut it into slices or cubes to further speed up the process.

Trick #4: Cut into Slices or Cubes

Slice the butter into 10 roughly even slices. Let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes. Alternatively, slice the butter in half lengthwise, flip and cut in half lengthwise again resulting in 4 long sticks of butter. Then, make 8 slices resulting in 32 cubes of butter. Let it sit on the counter for 8-10 minutes.

Vertical image of lemon cupcakes with lemon curd filling and lemon cream cheese frosting, garnished with lemon wedges and baby's breath.
stacked cake batter chocolate chip cookies with sprinkles.

These are Allie’s Lemon Cupcakes (with Cream Cheese Frosting) and Christina’s Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies.

What Temperature is Room Temperature Butter?

A stick of butter straight from the refrigerator is typically around 40ºF to 42ºF and firm in texture. When the butter has come to room temperature it will be around 68ºF to 70ºF. Remember: the amount of time and exact temperature will depend on the weather and the temperature of your home.

Success Tips for Softening Butter

  1. The more butter the recipe calls for, the larger the bowl or plate you’ll need to hold the butter. Give the butter room to breathe.
  2. The amount of time depends on the season and how cool you keep the house. For example, sitting the butter on the counter ahead of time will vary during warmer months– likely around 30 minutes while colder months it could be closer to 2-3 hours.

Favorite Recipes Using Softened Butter

softened butter sitting in butter wrapper.
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How to Soften Butter Quickly

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Learn how to soften butter fast! When you forget to set out butter out ahead of time, try these few methods to quickly soften butter to achieve the ideal consistency for recipes that require room temperature butter.
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, (1 stick)

Instructions
 

Trick #1: Microwave the Butter

  • Place the stick of butter on a microwave-safe dish. Use low power (around 30%) and microwave for 10 seconds. Then, turn it over and on low power, microwave for 8 seconds. If it has not reached room temperature yet, flip once more and on low power, microwave for 5 seconds.

Trick #2: Microwave Steaming

  • Pour 2 cups of water into a microwave-safe cup or bowl– I often use a liquid measuring cup. Microwave it for 3 minutes until extremely hot, near or just boiling. Meanwhile, slice the butter into roughly even slices (8-10 slices) and place it in a heatproof bowl or plate.
  • Carefully remove the water from the microwave and quickly place the butter in the microwave. Let it sit for 10-12 minutes– the remaining heat and steam will soften the butter.

Trick #3: Glass or Cup Steaming

  • Pour 2 cups of water into a microwave-safe cup or bowl that is large enough to cover the butter– I often use a 2-cup or 4-cup liquid measuring cup. Microwave it for 3 minutes until extremely hot, near or just boiling. Let it sit for 3 minutes to further warm the cup. (Alternatively, fill a heatproof bowl or cup with boiling water and let it sit for 3 minutes.)
  • Place the wrapped butter on a plate standing up. Pour the water out of the cup and place immediately over the butter. Check at the 6 minute mark, then every minute after– it will take about 7-9 minutes. Unwrap the butter and let it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes, if desired, you can cut into slices or cubes to further speed up the process.

Trick #4: Cut into Slices or Cubes

  • Slice the butter into 10 roughly even slices. Let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes. Alternatively, slice the butter in half lengthwise, flip and cut in half lengthwise again resulting in 4 long sticks of butter. Then, make 8 slices resulting in 32 cubes of butter. Let it sit on the counter for 8-10 minutes.

Notes

  1. The best way to soften butter is to simply leave it out on the counter about 1-2 hours before you need it. The amount of time depends on the season and how cool you keep the house. For example, sitting the butter on the counter ahead of time will vary during warmer months– likely around 30 minutes while colder months it could be closer to 2-3 hours.
  2. The more butter the recipe calls for, the larger the bowl or plate you need to hold the butter to give it room to breathe.
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Author

  • Christina

    Christina is a contributor to Baking A Moment. She is a recipe creator, food photographer and author of Simple Everyday Recipes sharing easy, approachable recipes for the everyday family.

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