I have a discovered a new kitchen gadget that I wanted to share with you all – it’s true kitchen love. This thing is awesome! Which means, do not tell me if you already have one because then I’d have to beat you up since you didn’t tell me about it yet.
This beautiful piece of work is a butter crock. I spied one in a magazine I picked up at a local natural/organic food store and wondered what on earth it was, so I did what every like-minded, computer-connected mom would do – I googled it.
Wikipedia defines it for you here.
Even better, here is a website that sells beautiful butter crocks: The Official Butter Bell. I have to control myself, really. A butter lovin’ girl could go crazy! Just google it yourself, I was amazed!
We switched to using pure butter – the good and tasty stuff. The problem: it is horrid to spread when it is cold, but it’s great if you desire a hole in the middle of your bread. I’d have to think ahead to let the butter sit out if we were going to use it. And we all know how well I think ahead. Ahem.
So, in case you don’t feel like clicking on the links, I’ll spare you some energy and describe to you what it does. You smoosh the butter (soften it to room temp, first) into the cup on one side. Then, fill the pottery side part-ways with ice-cold water. When you are done using the butter, you turn the cup upside-down into the ice-water, and the vacuum seal keeps the butter nice and fresh at room temperature.
It’s a beautiful thing.
We love it! It’s so cute sitting on the counter, it’s always soft, fresh and ready to spread. The only thing I have to do is change out the water for more ice-cold water about every three days. Real butter, spreadable.
It doesn’t get much better than that. :) Unless you get it on sale at Amazon.
Here are some pics of the new love of my life in my kitchen:
Hi,
How long does real butter last in the butter bell? I’ve been told real butter only remains fresh for a week (in the fridge) before going sour, is that correct? I’m thinking of getting one of these butter bells now, thanks!
Ben.
I actually am unsure of how long butter lasts in the butter crock/fridge. The expiration date on my current butter says September 09? I use it up pretty fast in my cooking so it only lasts a few days in my house.
The water needs to be changed to fresh, ice-cold water every 3 days, but our family generally uses all the butter before I’ve had a chance to see how long it would take to go sour. It hasn’t gone sour yet! 
The one pictured I bought on Amazon.com and only holds 1/2 c or one stick of butter, which is a perfect small amt to start with.
We both love it – my husband was doubtful but we both love it now! If you have a Williams Sonoma near you, they have one there on the shelves you can look at in person – saw one there the other day, its just a little more pricey.