Recipe(tried): Homemade Butter in a Jar

My son has a tradition every year at Thanksgiving. My aunt makes homemade rolls, and my son (now 16) makes the homemade butter. He's been doing this since he was 8.

There is a Little House on the Prairie cookbook, too, and in it she describes making butter in a jar.

For 1/2 pound of butter you will need:
Carrot, 1 medium
Homogenized milk, 1/4 cup
Heavy whipping cream, 3 cups, chilled
salt, a pinch

Prepare coloring by grating carrot and heating it with milk in saucepan. (We skip this part). Scald all remaining equipment - jar, lid, strainer, bowl, mold and a wooden spoon. Rinse and chill with cold water.

Strain warm tinted milk into jar. Add cream from refrigerator and fasten lid. Shake jar a minute, open lid to release gas, and refasten. Continue shaking, alternativng with a partner.

In about 15 minutes the contents will form a thick mush. Continue shaking until contents resembles wheat grains floating in milk (the time will vary with the age of the ream, it's temperature, and your shaking style)

Pour contents through strainer into bowl. Empty the milk from the bowl into another container. Turn the butter back into the bowl and cover with cold water. Stir well; strain off and discard water. Repeat washings until water is clear.

With the back of a wooden spoon work the liquid out of the butter by stirring and pressing it against the bowl. Dividing the butter and working half at a time makes it easier. When all liquid has been freed and poured off, work in a little salt, then press butter into a mold or dish. Rinse with cold water and chill. Serve later with homemade bread, unmolding if necessary.

I hope you enjoy - this tradition will always carry through, and I can't wait until my grandchildren are taught it!

Cary in Ohio