How to make butter in a KitchenAid® stand mixer

KitchenAid® stand mixer butter recipe

Follow these steps to whip up some classic unsalted butter right on your countertop. Make it yours with suggestions on flavored compound butter ingredients that will take it to the next level.

Total time

• 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 cups heavy whipping cream

Tools & supplies

• KitchenAid® stand mixer with whisk accessory

• Pouring shield

• Rag

• Spatula

• Fine mesh sieve

• Flat beater accessory

Step 1: Start whisking heavy cream

Affix the wire whisk accessory to a KitchenAid® stand mixer. Add heavy cream to the mixing bowl. Attach the pouring shield. Start the mixer on the slowest setting, gradually raising the speed to the fastest setting. Keep a dish towel on hand to cover the pouring spout if the cream splashes out.

Step 2: Watch for the cream to separate

The cream will go through three stages: soft peaks, then stiff peaks and finally the butter solids will separate from the buttermilk. Once you see the butter solids separate, stop the stand mixer and pour out the buttermilk. (The buttermilk can be reserved for other uses.)

Step 3: Press the butter

Transfer the butter to a fine mesh sieve set over a large bowl. Using a spatula, press the butter into the sieve to remove any excess buttermilk. (The less buttermilk that remains in the butter, the longer the butter may last.)

Step 4: Rinse the butter

Clean the KitchenAid® stand mixer bowl, then return the butter to it. Add 1/4 cup of ice-cold water to the bowl then whip the butter again for around 10 seconds to “wash” the butter and get rid of any excess buttermilk. Once the water becomes cloudy pour it out and repeat the process until the water remains clear.

Step 5: Add flavor if desired

Pour out any water remaining in the bowl. Replace the whisk accessory with the flat beater. Add any ingredients you want to flavor the butter to the bowl and beat until they are just combined. Finished butter can be formed into a log and wrapped in cellophane or parchment paper. Refrigerate it for immediate use.

Which accessories should I use for making butter with my KitchenAid® stand mixer?

Make homemade butter in your stand mixer using the wire whisk it came with. A pouring shield is also extremely useful for preventing splashes and splatter since you’re whisking liquid rather than a thick batter or dough. While the whisk is included with your stand mixer, the shield should be purchased separately. If you’re looking to upgrade your whisk, try the KitchenAid^® 11-Wire Elliptical Whisk to maximize bowl coverage and aeration^*. Discover more possibilities with the KitchenAid® attachment buying guide

*Compatible with select stand mixer models

How long does it take to make homemade butter with a KitchenAid® stand mixer?

It should take about 30 minutes total to make butter in your stand mixer. The whisking process itself could take around 10 minutes. Squeezing the milk out of the butter will take another few minutes and rinsing the butter will be another 10 or 15 minutes. Overall, making butter in your KitchenAid® stand mixer is a fairly quick process that delivers a special, homemade product to elevate your everyday.

Can I use this KitchenAid® butter recipe to make flavored butters?

Yes. Once your butter has been drained and washed, add the compound butter ingredients to the bowl. Switch from the whisk to the flat beater and beat the butter until the ingredients are just combined. Consider one of these homemade butter recipes:

• Chile lime butter: Add fresh lime juice and lime zest along with salt and chili powder for a festive flavored butter to mix into a corn salad or melt onto flank steak.

• Parmesan garlic butter: Parmesan, minced garlic and black pepper combine to create a versatile butter you can use for pasta, garlic bread, chicken or seafood.

• Smoky barbeque butter: For a smokey yet sweet addition to your next cookout, mix brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder salt and black pepper in with your homemade butter.

Tips for making butter with a KitchenAid® stand mixer

These tips could help cut down on prep time while making your homemade butter last longer.

• Bring the cream to room temperature

Let the heavy whipping cream sit out for 10 or 15 minutes before using it. Room temperature cream may start to separate sooner.

• Try cheesecloth

Cheesecloth allows you to squeeze the butter harder and potentially remove more milk. Simply wrap the ball of butter in the cheesecloth and squeeze it until no more milk is left. Any milk remaining in the butter will cause it to spoil sooner.

• Store butter properly

Do not leave the butter at room temperature for more than 4 hours. Because homemade butter has fewer preservatives than store-bought, it’s best to keep it refrigerated rather than in a butter dish on the counter. Store it in the fridge for 2 to 4 weeks in an airtight container.

More homemade butter recipes for inspired making

Explore these butter recipes to experience what homemade butter can bring to your culinary adventures.

T-Bone Steaks with Blue Cheese Butter

Blue cheese and steak is a classic combo. Combine it with butter, and you can create a decadent steakhouse experience at home.

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Honey Butter Biscuits

Make your mornings shine with these sweet biscuits and homemade butter. Both the biscuits and the butter can be made in your KitchenAid® stand mixer.

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Fresh Butter with Eastern Spices

This butter incorporates sumac, fennel and nutmeg to create deep flavor that adds richness to a variety of foods like roasted chicken, potatoes or carrots.

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Herbed garlic butter

Put this delicious, garlicky butter on almost anything. Slather it on a fresh baguette or use it to pan-fry chicken or sautee shrimp.

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