Long before supermarkets lined their shelves with endless dairy options, families churned fresh cream into butter in farmhouse kitchens across Australia and around the world. Today, this simple skill is making a comeback as more people embrace slow living, traditional food preparation and a connection to where their food comes from.
At Eumundi Herb Farm, we believe the best moments happen in the kitchen – a warm cup of herbal tea in hand, a beautiful wooden board with freshly baked sourdough on the bench, and homemade butter ready to spread.
The good news? Homemade butter is surprisingly easy to make.
Why Make Your Own Butter?
Homemade butter contains just one primary ingredient: fresh cream. By churning cream, the butterfat separates from the liquid (buttermilk), creating rich, creamy butter with a flavour that is difficult to match in store-bought varieties.
Benefits of homemade butter include:
- Rich, fresh flavour
- No preservatives or additives
- Flavoured butter with herbs, honey or sea salt
- A wonderful activity for children and families
- Buttermilk left over for baking scones, pancakes and cakes
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- 600ml thickened or pure cream
- Sea salt (optional)
Equipment
- Stand mixer, food processor or large glass jar
- Fine sieve or cheesecloth
- Mixing bowl
- Cold water
Step-by-Step Homemade Butter Recipe
Step 1: Whip the Cream
Pour the cream into a mixer bowl or food processor.
Begin whipping. First, the cream becomes whipped cream. Continue mixing and eventually it will begin to separate into yellow butter solids and liquid buttermilk. This process typically takes 5–15 minutes depending on your equipment.
Step 2: Separate the Buttermilk
Place a sieve over a bowl and pour the mixture through.
The liquid collected is fresh buttermilk. Save it for baking. The solids remaining are your butter.
Step 3: Wash the Butter
Place the butter into a bowl of ice-cold water.
Gently knead and squeeze the butter to remove any remaining buttermilk. Repeat with fresh cold water until the water runs clear. This helps the butter stay fresher for longer.
Step 4: Add Salt (Optional)
Mix through a pinch of sea salt if desired.
You can also add:
- Fresh herbs
- Roasted garlic
- Honey
- Lemon zest
- Native Australian herbs
Step 5: Store and Enjoy
Shape your butter into a small block or place it directly into a traditional butter crock.
A butter crock helps keep butter soft, spreadable and ready to enjoy while adding timeless farmhouse charm to your kitchen.
These small rituals transform an ordinary morning into something memorable. Making butter is about more than food. It is about slowing down, reconnecting with traditional skills and creating meaningful moments in the kitchen.
So next weekend, pour yourself a cup of tea, gather the family and try making your own butter. You might just discover your new favourite farmhouse tradition. Shop our collection of Original Butter Crocks to get started.
Complete your homemade butter experience with:
Because the best kitchens aren't just places to cook—they're places to gather, create and connect.