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Butter is a baking ingredient that can be used in many different forms and ways depending on how you want your baked goods to turn out.
Many dessert recipes use softened or melted butter. Is softened butter and melted butter the same? Let's dig deeper into their differences, how we can achieve a particular consistency, and how to choose the right butter for your baking.
Before we learn how butter is used in baking, let’s go back to basics: defining what butter is. Butter is a fat that results from vigorously churned cow’s milk or heavy cream.
The churning process generates fat and liquid. The fat is then processed into a solid fat called butter. Meanwhile, the liquid is separated and fermented to be processed into buttermilk.
Butter is favourable for baking and cooking because it has its own buttery and creamy taste. From sauce to bread, savoury cooking or sweet baked goods, butter can help enhance the end result of your food.
When baking different baked goods, you might often find recipes using one of two different temperatures of butter: softened butter and melted butter, both usually unsalted.
Why do you think different recipes call for different temperatures of butter? Does it actually matter?
In this article, we are going to talk about softened and melted butter.
If you want to know more about brown butter, which is something you can use to elevate your dishes, you can read our complete guide about brown butter here.
Softened butter is used in many recipes and is often creamed with sugar before use.
Unlike softened butter that is still in shape before use, melted butter is just like what it’s called: melted. The butter is heated until it melts and completely turns into liquid.
You can, but it will require you to have a very good understanding of how it affects your recipe, and you will likely have to make changes to your recipe!
If the recipe calls for softened butter and you accidentally melted butter instead of softening it, it’s best that you set aside the melted butter for future use.
Both kinds of butter will yield a very different final result in every baked good.
The recipes that work well with melted butter are brownies, cookies, and loaves. It will bring a nice chew and density to your baked goods, along with added richness.
Leaving It Out
Leave it out at room temperature anywhere between 30 mins to 60 mins (this depends on how warm your kitchen is). In hotter/tropical climates, 30 minutes is typically enough
Using A Hot Dish
Read More: Softening Butter In Singapore — Cooler Than You Think
To tell if your butter is softened, press your finger into it.
If it holds its shape and your finger comes clean without much grease, it’s softened enough for the creaming process. If it’s oily and wet, your butter is much too soft for proper creaming.
Never try to soften your butter by heating it in the microwave!
Butter has a low smoke point, which is the point that fat (in this case, butter) starts smoking.
It’s important to melt it over low heat so you don’t burn the butter, which results in a bitter aftertaste. Using a microwave in small bursts of heat will help you melt your butter quickly and effectively.
If you are new to baking, stick to what the recipe specifies. However, as you learn more about how different forms of butter affect your result differently, it’s time to experiment with getting your perfect treat!
In cookies, softened butter will result in a cakier and airier cookie than using melted butter. This is due to the fact that softened butter will create air bubbles that expand in the oven during baking.
Melted butter will make your cookies delightfully dense on the inside and crisp on the edges.
This is because cookie dough with melted butter will give you extra moisture and spread out more during baking, giving you a softer inside and with thinner, crisper edges. Beyond that, melted butter also adds richness to the cookie.
If you want to learn how to make your perfect cookie, join our all in comprehensive virtual course, where we teach you to make your perfect cookie. Check out The Ultimate Cookie Course.
What about the classic brownie?
If you want a fudgy chocolate brownie, use melted butter.
For cakey brownies, beating softened butter and sugar together to create air pockets will make your brownies lighter and cakier.
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As you can see, the kind of butter you use will vary greatly depending on what you are looking for in your own recipe.
Even for something as simple as cookies or brownies, a minute detail like this can transform your baking!
Hungry for more baking tips? From baking ingredients to baking equipment, we have all the baking insights for you to learn anytime. Subscribe to our free newsletter for more updates!
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Air fryers are one of the best all-in-one kitchen tools that are simple to use, affordable, and efficient. With an air fryer, we can fry almost anything with less or even no oil at all!
What's more is, you can even bake your favourite sweet treats with an air fryer. With the right techniques, baking with an air fryer will present you with delicious baked goods. Read our comprehensive guide on how to bake with an air fryer here.
Photos included are for illustration purposes — we are not endorsing any of the brands on the article.
If you were wondering what the best air fryer is, we have scoured Amazon to provide you with our complete guide to buying the best air fryer, from the most highly reviewed to the most practical.
When it comes to buying something online, a product's rating is probably the one that we look at first.
If you are a beginner home cook who wants to churn out delicate dishes with minimum effort, getting the top reviewed air fryer on Amazon is probably a safe bet.
After diving into Amazon, we finally found one air fryer that is loved by many. It is - drum roll, please - COSORI Pro Air Fryer Oven Combo, 5.8QT! It has 68,244 global ratings with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. What a star.
This highly-rated air fryer on Amazon is supported with even-heating technology, a non-stick and dishwasher-friendly detachable square basket with 5.8 quarts capacity.
The Cosori Air Fryer comes with an extra pictured cookbook which is very handy for those who are excited to try multiple air fryer recipes. The buttons are simple and straight to the point, which aids in the ease of use.
The Cosori is said to get a little warm on the outside when you turn it on, but it will not scorch you or your kitchen countertop.
Most importantly, users say that it is relatively quiet, and does not make the loud annoying noises that some of the cheaper brands make.
Safe to say, cooking or baking with the Cosori Air Fryer is likely to be an enjoyable experience! (Product source and full review: COSORI Pro Air Fryer)
Even though this fryer can be washed in the dishwasher, the Cosori Pro Air Fryer has a cooking tray that is easy to clean. Reviews have also claimed that the Cosori can cook most dishes evenly and reheat any leftovers effectively. Some like that the Cosori has a sleek design and love how easy it is to use the machine.
First and foremost, this is an opinion piece, and my oh my, do I find this air fryer gorgeous.
Caring about how appliances fit into the kitchen isn’t anything new, and for a great conversation piece — the best-looking air fryer that we’ve seen might do the trick.
The all-white design with a gold accent on the knob will add elegance to your kitchen, and goes well easily in any kitchen.
The ALLcool white air fryer is perfect for those looking for an air fryer, but dislike the usual dull look of an air fryer. For those that place much importance on the aesthetics of their kitchen appliances, this is for you.
It is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,056 Amazon users. (Product source and full review: ALLcool Oven Large Air Fryer 1700W 8-in-1)
Along with its pleasing aesthetic, this air fryer has other benefits to offer. Many users have found that cooking with this air fryer makes for an easy cleanup, and spares you from a messy kitchen. However, some reviewers have also found issues with the basket being a little too large to fit into the air fryer.
Sometimes, we underestimate what an affordable air fryer can offer.
This Ultrean 8.5-quart Air Fryer was made to provide great quality without burning a hole in your pocket.
Reviewed by 35,655 users with an average rating of 4.7/5 stars on Amazon, some of them agree that this air fryer is inexpensive but does not cheap out when it comes to the quality.
At USD 69.99, this air fryer provides great value at an affordable price.
Compared to other air fryers on Amazon with similar specifications, Ultrean features a quality build that is closer to air fryers with higher prices.
It has a minimalistic design and comes in a compact size that could fit easily on your countertops. Users also agree that the air fryer is light and makes cleaning a breeze.
(Product source and full review: Ultrean 8.5-quart Air Fryer)
Compared to most air fryers on Amazon, for some users, Ultrean provides the most value. Reviewers said that it heats leftovers faster and cooks well and evenly.
Some users have found defects within their purchase, but agree that customer service has been responsive and has helped them with replacing defective units with a new one.
Many reviewers agree that Ultrean has a very responsive customer service.
Here’s an air fryer that is relatively pricey, but offers top-of-the-line features, comes in a large capacity, and has excellent performance scores as well as a classy design.
Our top choice for the most luxurious air fryer on Amazon goes to Philips Premium Airfryer XXL. It is globally rated by 2,452 users on Amazon and garnered an average of 4.5/5 stars.
An XXL model is perfect for a large family. If you want to feed a large group quickly, this Phillips Premium Airfryer might just be what you are looking for.
The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL comes with a stainless steel basket, with a capacity of 3lb/7qt. This basket size is enough to cook 6 servings at once.
If you’re looking for a large air fryer with a stainless steel basket, this is one to look out for.
According to its product description, it is stated that this air fryer comes with fat removal technology. What this means is that it extracts and removes excess fat, and according to them, more than its competitors.
This means that you get to cook with less oil, and still remove extra fat from your food.
Phillips also has a free Phillips Kitchen app that you can explore recipes with for use in the air fryer. (Product source and full review: Philips Premium Airfryer XXL)
Philips Premium Airfryer comes in a large capacity, so some users recommend that future buyers plan their kitchen space thoughtfully before a purchase. The air fryer produces great tasting food with less grease. It also has good temperature adjustments but take note: it only comes in Fahrenheit.
Some are impressed with its top-of-the-line tech, owing to its digital controls. It’s easy to operate, and also dishwasher-safe, which makes cleaning a breeze.
When we say practical, we mean something that is relatively small (perfect for quick cooking and few servings), and easy to use.
If you find yourself wanting an air fryer that does what it does — and quickly — you might consider getting an air fryer like this DASH Electric Air Fryer Oven Cooker.
This air fryer model from DASH is a small air fryer that is space-saving, versatile, compact, lightweight, and very handy. No surprises that it is one of Amazon’s top choices in the air fryer category.
The DASH air fryer comes in 6 different colours, so you can easily choose which colour works well with your kitchen countertop.
This air fryer has received 28,393 global ratings on Amazon and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
From frozen nuggets to reheating leftovers — this air fryer will churn out great dishes — quickly! (Product source and full review: DASH Electric Air Fryer Oven Cooker)
For some users, this air fryer works well and the food turns out great. Most positive reviews are given for its simple design and petite size which is perfect for small families with limited countertop real estate.
However, since it comes in a small capacity, it can only cook small portions at a time.
This is by no means, a perfect appliance. Some reviews have stated that the coating of the basket cannot handle hard brushing. However, this is a great choice for a first air fryer, before you potentially move on to other options on the list!
Who would have thought that baking could be done without an oven? The advanced technology from air fryers these days not only allows us to fry or reheat our leftovers but also to bake many treats and desserts!
If you want to level up your baking skills with an air fryer or any other kitchen appliances, get tips and tricks by following our Instagram or subscribing to our newsletter down below.
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Read More: How To Tweak Baking Recipes For Your Air Fryer.
This article was written as an opinion piece. All opinions provided are NOT endorsements of the product or brands. Purchase at your own discretion.
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