Turn liquid cream into solid butter using just your muscles! Kids will learn how fat molecules clump together to create a delicious treat and a side of buttermilk.

Tools

• mixing bowl
• strainer or slotted spoon

Materials

• mason jar with lid (16 oz, 1)
• heavy cream with high fat content (1 cup)
• cold water (2 cups)
• salt (1/4 tsp, optional)

Safety

• Adult supervision required when handling glass jars.
• Ensure hands are washed thoroughly before handling food.
• Be careful not to over-tighten the lid to avoid vacuum seals, but ensure it is secure to prevent leaks.
• Adult supervision required for sharp objects.
• Adult supervision required for children under 8.

Steps

1. Pour 1 cup of heavy cream into the mason jar until it is about halfway full.
2. If you want salted butter, add 1/4 tsp of salt to the cream now.
3. Secure the lid tightly on the jar.
4. Shake the jar vigorously up and down and side to side. Continue shaking for about 2 minutes until the mixture looks like whipped cream.
5. Keep shaking hard for another 6 to 8 minutes. You will feel the mixture become more solid and eventually hear a liquid splashing around.
6. Stop shaking once the solid butter has completely separated from the liquid (buttermilk).
7. Carefully open the jar and use a strainer or spoon to pour the liquid buttermilk into a separate container to save for baking.
8. Scoop the solid butter into a mixing bowl.
9. Pour a small amount of cold water over the butter to rinse away the remaining buttermilk.
10. Use your hands to gently squeeze and shape the butter into a ball, pouring out the cloudy water.
11. Repeat the rinsing and shaping process with fresh cold water until the water remaining in the bowl is clear.
12. Serve your homemade butter on toast or crackers!