Beautiful homemade butter

I am surprised that I have never made butter before, it is sooooo easy! I have seen several blog posts regarding making your own butter and when I had a half gallon of heavy cream about to expire, I figured that turning it into butter and buttermilk would be the best way to use it up.

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I used my professional grade Kitchen Aid mixer, I am sure you could use just about any kind of mixer but it may take longer/shorter times to separate the butter from the buttermilk. I used the medium speed on my mixer as I didn't know how long it would take or how strenuous the motor would have to work.

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aaaMixer and Heavy Cream ready to go

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aaaStarted at 2:25
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aaaNot much change at 2:30

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aaaStarts to thicken at 2:35

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aaaCreeping up the bowl at 2:40

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aaaWhipped cream at 2:45

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aaaStarts to separate at 2:50

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aaaLooks like whipped butter at 2:55, but where is the buttermilk?

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aaaButter and buttermilk start to separate at 3:00!
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aaaDraining off buttermilk and a final spin at 3:02

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aaaFinished products

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Approximately 4 cups butter, and 3 cups buttermilk. I did not add any salt to my finished butter, this way I have more control over the salt that is added to recipes. However, without the added salt, the butter is on the sweet side. I wrapped up the butter pats in little wax paper squares and saran wrap, they will keep for a while in the freezer. Now, why didn't I try this sooner?
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