Trust Me I Should Know
Where someone with years of hard-won personal experience, and lots of trial and error, shares everything they’ve learned. Read more here.
Photo: Kate Jordan
In gathering material for The Butter Book, I went down many deep research and shopping rabbit holes for butter accessories throughout history. There are centuries’ worth of tools and accoutrements for making butter, shaping butter, storing butter, serving butter, slicing butter, and more out there. I spent way too much time learning everything I could and still feel like I barely scratched the surface.
As someone who loves to host and entertain, I paid particular attention to finding the very best butter-serving accessories and have been methodically growing my personal collection. Some butter-serving inventions, like the One Click butter cutter, did not and will not stand the test of time, while others, like my favorite French butter press, just get better with time. In the book, I share a wide selection of butter accessories worth knowing and using, but the five below are my personal favorites for serving. Pair one with a fancy block of artisanal butter, and you’ve got yourself a fabulous host gift.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?
Success! You’ll get an email when something you’ve saved goes on sale.
Yes
The process of making butter curls is honestly so fun and satisfying that it’s totally worth keeping this single-use tool in your kitchen. It can take a little practice to get the curling process right, so have patience at first. You’ll need a stick of cold butter, one bowl with very hot water, and a second bowl with ice water. Dunk your butter curler into the hot water and then pull it down the length of your stick of butter to make ribbonlike curls. If the ribbons aren’t curling up enough, you can give them a little guidance with your fingers, immediately tuck them into the ice bath so that they hold their shape, then gently pull them out when you’re ready to serve. I like to serve the curls arranged on a small plate or platter on the table so people can help themselves.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?
Success! You’ll get an email when something you’ve saved goes on sale.
Yes
I’ve bought and used many different sizes and shapes of silicone molds for making butter sculptures. This one is the simplest and easiest to use, and it gives you cute little butter shells to put out on the dinner table or appetizer spread. I recommend using salted Irish butter for delicious golden-yellow shells — soften it to room temp, mash it into the shells, smooth the tops, and cover the whole sheet in wax paper and freeze until firm. Pop the shells out of the mold while frozen, and then bring to room temperature to serve. Or freeze them individually wrapped in wax paper inside an airtight container and pull out to defrost and serve one by one. My freezer is currently well stocked with frozen butter shells, and I have zero regrets.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?
Success! You’ll get an email when something you’ve saved goes on sale.
Yes
If you’re going to make your own butter, you should have a gorgeous wooden butter mold to press it into, just like old-world dairy maids had. You can get a new one from Lehman’s or pick up a unique antique one — just make sure to clean it well before using. Either way, soak it in cold water before filling it with room-temp butter so the butter doesn’t stick to the wood. Then chill until firm, and pop out your beautifully embossed butter. You can of course fill one of these with store-bought butter.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?
Success! You’ll get an email when something you’ve saved goes on sale.
Yes
This fancy-looking dish gives you butter curls without any curling required. Fill the base with butter, pop the perforated dish on top, and press down to extrude a glorious floret of butter curls. It’s impressive, it’s unique — it’s a very cool dinner-party trick. Unfortunately, these silver-plated (or sometimes pure silver) vintage butter presses are gaining popularity and getting more expensive than when I first bought mine on eBay two years ago. But set an alert and keep searching for one in your budget — they’re worth it.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?
Success! You’ll get an email when something you’ve saved goes on sale.
Yes
I do have a thing for shell-shaped butter accessories, but it was a trend in Victorian England first, followed by a mid-century revival. Lucky for me, those mid-century silver-plated clamshell butter dishes are abundant on Etsy and in flea markets these days. Usually lined with a glass dish, they also make great caviar serving dishes. And with two butter-hungry cats always prowling my kitchen, I especially appreciate the fact that this cute little butter dish is covered!
get the strategist newsletter
Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts.
Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice
See All
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Dining and Cooking