Mastering the Art of Cultured Butter: A Sourdough Baker's Guide

Discover the Magic of Cultured Butter

For sourdough enthusiasts, pairing the perfect butter with your homemade bread can elevate your entire baking experience. Cultured butter, with its rich and tangy flavor, is a delightful addition to your baking repertoire. In this guide, we explore how to use milk kefir to create your own cultured butter and buttermilk, adding a probiotic punch to your kitchen creations.

Understanding Milk Kefir

Milk kefir is a fermented dairy product known for its health benefits, similar to a probiotic-rich drink. By using kefir grains, a culture of yeast and bacteria, you can transform milk into a tangy, nutritious beverage. These grains can be reused indefinitely, making kefir an economical and sustainable option for your cultured butter journey.

Culturing Cream for Butter

To make cultured butter, start by fermenting your cream with milk kefir. Combine 1 liter of cream with a few tablespoons of kefir, stir, and let it ferment at room temperature for 24 hours. This process not only enhances the flavor but also reduces the time needed to churn the cream into butter, skipping the whipped cream phase entirely.

The Butter-Making Process

Once your cream is fermented, it's time to churn. Pour the cultured cream into your mixer and let it whip past the whipped cream stage directly to butter. This process is quicker, taking about 10-12 minutes compared to the usual 40 minutes for non-cultured cream. The result is a beautifully textured butter and a tangy buttermilk perfect for baking.

Sourdough Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe

Now that you have cultured buttermilk, it's time to bake. Here's a simple recipe for sourdough buttermilk biscuits:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup sourdough discard

Combine dry ingredients, cut in butter, and mix in buttermilk and discard until just combined. Roll out, fold, and cut into squares for flaky, fluffy biscuits. Bake at 425°F for 25 minutes.

Also read our companion article for more tips on using your sourdough discard.

Join the Community

At Rogue Bakers, we believe in the power of community learning. Share your results, ask questions, and support fellow bakers as we explore the art of cultured butter together. Join our 30-Day Sourdough Challenge to master these techniques!

For more inspiration and detailed recipes, visit Turner Farm's website and check out their YouTube channel.