softened butter

noun

UK /ˈsɒfənd ˈbʌtə/

US /ˈsɔfənd ˈbʌtər/

Butter that has been left out to get soft and easy to spread.

The recipe says to mix the sugar with softened butter until it is fluffy.

SYNONYMS

room-temperature butter soft butter pliable butter malleable butter

RELATED WORDS

melted butter cold butter creamed butter baking spread

OTHER MEANINGS

2. Butter that has been gently heated just until it yields to pressure but does not melt.

Soften the butter in the microwave for ten seconds before creaming it.

3. A baking term for butter at about 65°F (18°C), ideal for creaming with sugar.

For the cake, use softened butter, not melted butter, so the batter traps air.

4. Butter that has been worked until supple for spreading on bread.

She spread softened butter on the warm roll.

5. Figuratively, a gentle or mellowed manner, as in 'softened butter' tones of voice.

He spoke in softened butter tones to calm the child.