Kitchen HACK: Soften Hard Butter Without Melting It
This is the best way to do this... without turning it into a greasy pool in the microwave.
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There's something magically delicious about simple bread with butter.
But if you keep your butter in the fridge, even simple bread and butter might be a challenge. Anyone who's ever tried to spread cold, hard butter across soft bread knows it will tear right through that slice. And don't even try softening your butter in the microwave — cook it for a few seconds too long and you'll end up with a melty, greasy lump.
So what should you do?
It's easy:
- Put your butter on a plate.
- Take a glass and run it under very hot water, until the glass itself is quite hot. Dry it off.
- Place the glass over the butter, and leave for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Remove the glass.
- Enjoy your gently-softened, spreadable butter!
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Chef Tips and Tricks
These salted caramel thumbprint cookies are easy to make and super delicious!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/4 cup / 50g of softened butter
- 1 egg (divide the yolk and white)
- 1/4 cup / 50g of sugar
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 cup / 150g of flour
- 1 cup / 100g of chopped nuts
- Salted caramel
- Melted dark chocolate
METHOD:
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In a bowl, mix together the butter, egg yolk, sugar, and salt.
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Add the flour and mix. Roll into a ball.
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Chill for 30 minutes.
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Remove from refrigerator. Divide the dough and roll into 1-inch balls.
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Dip each ball in egg yolk, and then roll in chopped nuts.
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Place on baking sheet (lined with parchment paper), and press your thumb into the center.
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Bake at 340°F/170°C for 12 minutes, or until golden.
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Remove from oven and let cool.
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Pour the salted caramel into the center groove,and drizzle with dark chocolate.
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Enjoy!
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