How many times have you needed room temperature butter, only to find out you forgot to take your butter out of the fridge?

Okay, maybe it’s just me, but this happens in my house, like, everyday.

If you ever get caught in this situation, there are a few ways to redeem yourself…

#1.  Place the amount of butter (usually works best with 1/2 to 1 cup quantities) in a microwave safe dish and place in the microwave.

Microwave at high for 10 seconds; you should be able to push down with a finger and make a small indent…

…like this.

If it’s still too hard, microwave the block for another 5 seconds (and then another 5) until it makes a small indent.

#2.  Take your block of butter out of the fridge and place on a cutting board or piece of parchment; cover it with a piece of plastic wrap and bang the centre with a wooden rolling pin.  It should soften after a few bashes.

Now you have softened butter, so go make yourself a batch of cookies!