How to Make a Butter Churn

Making your own butter may sound like an unnecessary chore, but it can actually be a fun activity. A simple homemade butter churn can turn making butter into an enjoyable rainy-day project for people of all ages. This butter churn is great to make with your children, as it requires using some of their toys in an entirely new way.

Things You'll Need

• Small knife
• Coffee can, snap-on plastic lid
• Tinkertoy set
• Whipping or heavy cream
• Salt

Instructions

1. Attach eight small Tinkertoy dowels to the sides of a Tinkertoy wheel. Attach a long dowel to the center of the wheel. The long dowel becomes your handle.

2. Create a hole in the center of the coffee can lid that is just large enough for the long dowel to fit through. Place your Tinkertoy creation inside the coffee can so the wheel is inside the can and the long dowel is sticking out through the hole.

3. Pour cream that has been sitting at room temperature into your coffee can so it is about half full. Put the lid back on the can with the dasher handle sticking out.

4. Pump the dowel handle up and down in a steady rhythm for about 20 to 30 minutes, passing the can around and taking turns every so often. At this point, curd should begin forming and floating to the top of the cream. Take the lid off the can and remove the curds. Rinse them in cold water to remove any milk.

5. Place curds into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. After the hour has elapsed, your butter should be firm enough to mold. If desired, add salt until the butter reaches the taste you prefer. The butter can now be molded into balls, bars or other shapes and store din the fridge.

Tips & Warnings

• Get creative with the Tinkertoys. Make a handle for the top of the dowel so it it more comfortable to hold and pump up and down. The dasher can be made with other household items Make a game out of passing the can around, similar to playing Hot Potato

References

• MOMS Menu