Making butter

Making butter is simple with the right tools. All you need is a cream, a bowl and an electric mixer. My KitchenAid Stand Mixer brings this simplicity to a higher level. The whisk and dough hook attachments make nearly every step of the process hands off. Nothing beats the taste of fresh butter . . . smooth and creamy and decadent; a real treat. But a treat that you can have anytime you want . . . all you need is 10 -15 minutes. Better yet, homemade butter is inexpensive in comparison with store bought butter. The only ingredient you need is heavy cream. Start by leaving the cream on the counter long enough for it to come to room temperature; this will help the fat separate from the butter milk. Once it is no longer cold, pour the cream into the mixing bowl. Whip it into a frenzy until the butter comes together in a lump. It doesn't take long . . . the cream will thicken and then the solids will start to separate from the buttermilk. It will start sloshing around the bowl. At this point, drain the buttermilk into another container. You can store the buttermilk in the refrigerator for a few days to use in cooking or baking. At this point your butter is done. However, for longer storage you will need to "wash" the butter; which is removing excess buttermilk from the solids. Return the butter to the mixing bowl and attach the dough hook. Add some cold water and ice cubes to the bowl and turn the mixer on low. The cold water will prevent the butter from melting and help to ...