Tips – FoodWatcher

How to Cream Butter and Sugar

Learn how to cream butter and sugar with a mixer or by hand. Creaming is an important step in many baking recipes like cookies and cakes. It’s not complicated but knowing what to look for and the best creaming technique will make a big difference in your baked goods. What is Creaming? In a nutshell,…

The post How to Cream Butter and Sugar appeared first on Crazy for Crust.

Learn how to cream butter and sugar with a mixer or by hand. Creaming is an important step in many baking recipes like cookies and cakes. It’s not complicated but knowing what to look for and the best creaming technique will make a big difference in your baked goods.

What is Creaming?

In a nutshell, creaming is combining a softened fat (like butter) with sugar until it turns creamy, light and fluffy.

Creaming is such a critical step in baking recipes – when it’s not done correctly your cookies and cakes may turn out flat, soggy or even greasy. Done properly, you’ll get fluffy cakes and puffy cookies with a wonderful tender crumb.

Creaming can be done by hand with a bowl, spoon, and fork, or with a stand mixer or handheld mixer. Doing it by hand definitely takes more effort, but it’s helpful to know in case you’re ever without a mixer and need to make an emergency batch of cookies (it could happen!)

When you cream butter and sugar together, you’re accomplishing one thing: incorporating lots of air pockets into the mixture which will help naturally leaven your baked goods and create a tender crumb.

3 spoons with different creamed butters showing stages of creaming.

How long does it take to cream butter and sugar?

How long to cream butter and sugar will vary depending on whether you’re doing it by hand or with a mixer. With a mixer it will take between two and three minutes. By hand, it will take longer. It is easier to use a mixer so that is my recommended method.

Whether you cream with a mixer or by hand, the best way to know if your butter and sugar are creamed is by looking at it.

After just a minute, you might think it’s creamed enough but if the mixture still looks grainy or you can see any sugar crystals, then you’ve not creamed it enough.

As more air is incorporated into the mixture you will notice the color will lighten and the texture will turn fluffy. You know you’ve reached the right stage when the mixture is pale yellow and soft but with enough structure to hold soft peaks.

It is possible to over-cream butter and sugar. If creamed too long the mixture will turn white and, if you use it, will give your baked goods a dense, almost gluey, texture. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to correct over-creamed butter and sugar.

Softened Butter

Starting with room-temperature softened butter is an important part of the process. If the butter is too cold it will be hard to incorporate air and your mixture will be too dense. If it’s too hot the mixture will not have enough air and will be oily. In both cases, your cakes and cookies will have a dense texture instead of the light and tender crumb.

butter and sugar creamed in stand mixer showing paddle attachment.

How to cream butter and sugar with a mixer

Place your softened butter and sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl if using an electric hand mixer). You’ll want to use the paddle attachment.
Mix on medium speed (high speed will add too many air bubbles) for approximately 3-4 minutes, or until your mixture is fluffy. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl during creaming.

How to Cream Butter and Sugar by Hand

First, it helps to cut the softened butter into thin pieces and mixing them with the sugar before you start creaming them together.
Using a fork, press the tines into the butter and sugar to fully combine them. When combined, the mixture resembles a paste.
Grab a wooden spoon or rubber spatula and beat the butter and sugar together using the same motion you would to scramble eggs. If it’s easier, you can also use the fork to cream them.
Be sure to scrape the bowl a few times.
Depending on how fast you can mix, it will take three to five minutes to achieve the right color (pale yellow, remember?) and a fluffy texture. There should be no streaks of butter in the mixture – all of it should be well combined.

sugar cookie with white frosting and pink and blue sprinkles.

Recipes that call for creaming

My chewy soft sugar cookies use all granulated sugar.
This soft and chewy oatmeal cookies recipe uses brown sugar – same concept but the color will be a bit different.
My coconut cupcake recipe calls for creaming butter and sugar.
This classic pound cake recipe uses creamed butter and sugar to make a rich crumb.

Last Updated on June 5, 2024

The post How to Cream Butter and Sugar appeared first on Crazy for Crust.

Storing and Thawing Baby Food At Home

The post Storing and Thawing Baby Food At Home appeared first on Weelicious.

It’s been my mission since day one on Weelicious to share all my tips and tricks for ways to whip up healthy and delicious meals for your little ones. Making homemade baby food is a great way to know exactly what is going into your child’s belly while also ensuring that they get all the nutrients they need. One of the best tricks you can learn early on in the journey of eating solids is how to properly store, freeze and defrost the homemade baby food you make. Keep reading for all my tips for storing and thawing baby food at home!

How Should You Store Homemade Baby Food?

Before we get into how to properly thaw, let’s get into how to store that delicious homemade baby food for your little one:

Ice Cube Trays: After you’ve got a batch of baby food ready to go, spoon the puree into a clean ice cube tray, cover with plastic wrap and freeze. Ice cube trays conveniently portion 1-ounce servings for your baby. You can thaw individual flavors, or combine to make delicious baby food combinations.
Freezer Bags: Once the baby food cubes are frozen solid, transfer into a labeled freezer bag for easier storage. You can also freeze directly in freezer bags if you need to, just make sure you get out all the air to prevent freezer burn.
Silicone Freezer Trays: If you want to freeze larger portions, these silicone freezer trays are perfect for that.
Airtight Glass Container: There are several options online for glass containers for storing baby food. I prefer these glass containers that are freezer, dishwasher and microwave safe.

Best Baby Foods for Freezing

The good news is most baby food purees freeze wonderfully and keep their texture and consistency after being frozen and thawed. Here are some ideas:

Pureed Fruits
- Pureed fruits like blueberries, peaches, and other berries.
- Some fruits, such as bananas, apples, strawberries, and avocados, tend to brown when frozen, but they’re totally fine to eat.
Pureed Vegetables
- Pureed veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, peas, sweet potato, and squashes like pumpkin or butternut squash are great!
Pureed Proteins
- Cooked and pureed meats like chicken, beef, turkey or fish are good to freeze too.

How Long Can You Freeze Homemade Baby Food?

While homemade baby food can “technically” be stored in the freezer indefinitely, it’s best to use it within a certain timeframe to ensure optimal quality. Generally, homemade baby food can be safely stored in the freezer for up to three months. Be sure to label each container with the date it was made to keep track of its freshness.

How Should You Defrost/Reheat Homemade Baby Food?

Now that you know how to freeze baby food properly, let’s get into how to thaw frozen baby food and reheat it safely:

Refrigerator Thawing:

I prefer to thaw frozen baby food in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to serve just heat up on the stove or the microwave.

Thawing in Cold Water:

You can speed up the thawing process by running the container of frozen puree under cold water.

Thawing Baby Foods in the Microwave:

If you’re on a time crunch, you can thaw frozen baby food cubes in the microwave on the defrost setting. Ensure you’re heating them in a microwave safe dish, and give them a little taste to make sure they’re the perfect temperature before serving.

Frequently Asked Question

Can I refreeze thawed baby food?

It’s generally not recommended to refreeze thawed baby food. It’s best to thaw only what you need for a single feeding to avoid waste. If you have some puree leftover, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to two days before you’ll need to toss it out.

How can I tell if homemade baby food has gone bad?

It’s best to always inspect homemade baby food before serving it to your little one. Look for any signs of unnatural discoloration, unusual odors, or mold. If in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution and discard the food.

Can I add spices or seasonings to homemade baby food?

While it’s okay to introduce mild herbs and spices to your baby’s diet, it’s essential to do so gradually and in moderation. Avoid adding salt, sugar, or strong spices that may be too harsh for your baby’s delicate palate.

Additional Tips for Storing and Thawing Baby Food

Properly Label Your Baby Food: Don’t forget to label your homemade baby food containers with the date and contents. This makes it easier to keep track of what’s in your freezer and ensures you’re using up the oldest batches first.
Consider Portion Sizes: When freezing baby food, consider portion sizes that are appropriate for your little one’s age and appetite. Smaller portions are easier to thaw, first of all and also reduce the risk of waste.
Use High-Quality Freezer Bags: If choosing to freeze in freezer bags, invest in high-quality freezer bags that are durable and leak-proof. This helps prevent freezer burn and keeps your homemade baby food fresh for longer periods. There are even reusable ones you could get to cut down on waste.
Rotate Your Stock: To ensure you’re always serving up the freshest baby food possible, make it a habit to rotate your stock regularly. Use older batches first and replenish your stash with fresh batches as needed.

Now you’ve got all the tools you need to store, freeze and thaw all that wonderful, nutritious baby food you’ve got ready for your child. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!