How to Make Butter With Baby Food Jars

Recycle empty baby food jars by using them to churn small batches of butter. Heavy cream has enough butterfat to separate and form fresh creamy butter when agitated. Dropping a clean marble in the jar will speed up the process and turn your butter churn into a musical instrument.

Things You'll Need

• 2.5-oz. or 4-oz. empty baby food jar with lid
• 2 small glass marbles
• Liquid dish detergent
• Paper towels
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup heavy cream at room temperature
• Salt, optional

Instructions

1. Wash the baby food jar, lid and both marbles with liquid dish detergent. Dry the items thoroughly with paper towels.

2. Pour room-temperature heavy cream into the jar until it is filled to just below the bottom of the threading.

3. Drop in both glass marbles. Fill the jar all the way to the top with any remaining heavy cream and secure the lid tightly.

4. Shake the jar in all directions while standing in an open area with plenty of space. Have fun with it. Throw on some music and shake the jar to the rhythm.

5. Take off the lid after approximately 30 minutes of shaking or when you are no longer able to hear the marbles hit the sides of the jar.

6. Pour off the liquid buttermilk that has separated from the butter solids. Remove the marbles.

7. Add cold water to the jar until it is nearly full and use a spoon to form the butter solids together into a singular mass.

8. Pour out the water and press any remaining liquid out of the solid butter mass. Add a pinch of salt, if desired, before replacing the lid and storing your fresh butter in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Tips & Warnings

• Get two or three jars going at once or enlist the help of family members to shake jars for you when your arms get tired.

• Leaving behind even a small amount of buttermilk will cause your butter to spoil rapidly.

References

• How to Make Your Own Butter