How to Use an Ice Cube Tray for a Butter Mold

An ice cube tray creates tidy butter cubes for a special dinner.

Shaping butter into decorative pats adds a special touch to casual or formal dinners. Butter can be molded or sculpted into any shape depending on the device used for shaping it. Candy molds are effective as are ice cube trays. You can use either standard trays or specialty ice cube trays to mold your butter into a variety of shapes. Be sure to use your molded butter within two hours at room temperature; melting can cause your butter to lose its shape.

Things You'll Need

• 2 sticks salted butter
• Ice cube tray
• Spatula
• Plate

Instructions

1. Leave the butter to rest at room temperature until very soft.

2. Remove the butter from its packaging.

3. Scoop a dollop of butter using your spatula and press it into the ice cube tray. Work it into the corners.

4. Spread both sticks of butter into the ice cube tray, being sure to push the butter deep down into molds. Smooth the surface by gliding the spatula over the butter once the tray is full.

5. Place the ice cube tray into the freezer and allow it to set for half an hour. It should be firm to the touch when you remove it.

6. Invert the tray over your plate and twist it gently to loosen the butter. Allow all of the butter pats to release from the tray, then serve.

Tips & Warnings

• Add seasonings such as citrus peel or fresh herbs to your softened butter to add an extra touch of elegance.

References

• The Kitchn: Loving: Old-Fashioned Butter Molds
• The Kitchn: Breakfast Details: How To Make Molded Butter Pats