Beginner's Try: Making Cultured Butter with Raw Milk

In our homesteading attempt, our family started getting raw milk. This is my attempt at an instructional video on how to make butter.

1) Separate your cream from milk. If using store-bought cream, ensure it is not UHT or ultra-pasteurized milk. The high heat destroys the proteins and butter will be hard to make from it.

2) To create cultured cream for cultured butter, simply add 1tbsp of a high quality plain yogurt per cup of cream and mix. Cover the cream with a coffee filter or paper towel and allow the cream to culture on the counter at room temperature for 24 hours. You may skip this step, but cultured butter has healthy probiotics and a smooth yet tangy flavor that needs no salt. We prefer it.

3) Once cultured (or not) ensure your cream is cool. Leave in the fridge for at least 4-6 hours if needed. Place in a food processor or blender for approximately 7 minutes, or until the butter has separated from the liquid. It will create a layer on top, and even come together en mass.

4) Pour butter and liquid into a strainer with cheese cloth, muslin, or the like, and allow butter to strain. Keep the liquid, as this is buttermilk and can be used to soak oats and grains, in pancakes, biscuits, or even make a salad dressing. Squeeze excess liquid out of the butter while still in the cloth.

5) Wash the butter once the liquid is drained. Place it in a bowl with cold water and continue squeezing. Refresh the water until it comes out clean. Washing your butter ensures shelf-life and prevents rancidity.

And, that's it! Your butter is ready to be placed in a container and used. It can freeze for up to 6 months. It lasts in the fridge for 2-3 weeks, if not longer.

By the by, the buttermilk dressing turned out amazing! I threw some celery leaves from a stalk, some fresh sage, Italian parsley, basil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder into a food processor with the buttermilk. Whipped it up for a moment, then put in some xanthan gum as a thickening agent. Let it sit overnight, and voila! Delectable!

Enjoy advenuring!

Music: Silence theme
Musician: InShot

Butter