The Old-School Butter Tool That Deserves A Revival

Believe it or not, butter was not always produced in neat sticks, wrapped in paper, and marked off in tablespoons to make baking a cinch. It actually used to be more of a work of art back in the 18th and 19th centuries thanks to one old-school kitchen tool that most people don't use anymore: the butter mold. What is a butter mold? Think of it as food art at its finest.

Farmers who churned butter would stuff it into a fancy wood-carved mold that was shaped like a bell with a plunger. On the plunger was a carved stamp that was pressed into the molded butter. This stamp was almost like a branding trademark for farmers to separate their butter from other farms. The stamps often depicted something representing nature, like cows, birds, sheaves of wheat, or flowers. But hearts and other geometric shapes also found their way into the mix. Butter molds are still a thing, and you can even find some vintage ones online, but you can also create your own modern version.

Butter molds can be recreated using silicone molds that you might have on hand from baking or candy making, or simply with cookie cutters and ice cube trays. Spoon softened store-bought butter into one of these items and smooth it out with a spatula so it is nice and even. If you happen to have some cookie stamps, you can make a nice design on the surface before allowing it to chill and set in the freezer for about a half hour. 

Before you start molding this spreadable dairy, you may also want to amp up the flavor of your store-bought butter with some cowboy additions or other aromatic upgrades. Do this by adding seasonings, spices, or fresh herbs to it before it sets. You can use this compound butter on pretty much anything to add irresistible flavor.

Additionally, you will want to properly store your molded butter so it doesn't lose its shape. Place it on parchment paper in a dish and cover it with plastic wrap before storing it in the fridge. This will keep it fresh and ready to use. If you do this, your butter should stay fresh for up to two weeks. You can also freeze individually wrapped butter for longer storage.