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66 Comments
jnparnell
March 7, 2016
Where are the Challenge fans? LOVE Challenge! Super high quality - never let me down. It's over a century old and all products are hormone-free and no artificial ingredients or additives. Love their regular, European and Cream Cheese products!
Jennifer P.
March 1, 2016
I love Kate's, and oddly enough can get it for the same price as LOL by my house in update, NY. It costs a fortune in NYC. And when Kate's isn't available, I'm with Amanda—LOL all the way (that's what my auntie has used for decades, and her cookies are always the BEST).
Sharyn G.
November 6, 2015
I love unsalted butter from grassfed cows for all things. If it's local, even better!
Tara
November 6, 2015
Living in New England, I either use Kate's of Maine butter from a family farm about half an hour away from me. http://www.kateshomemadebutter.com/
When I'm in a pinch, I shake some organic cream with some sea salt in a ball jar. Boom. Fresh butter, and buttermilk. Save the buttermilk, rinse the butter off a few times. Done. Why spend a ton of money on something so easy?
When I'm in a pinch, I shake some organic cream with some sea salt in a ball jar. Boom. Fresh butter, and buttermilk. Save the buttermilk, rinse the butter off a few times. Done. Why spend a ton of money on something so easy?
D. L.
November 6, 2015
Living on the West Coast I use Tillamook from Oregon. It works well in all my baking and is a local company.
Ruthan
November 6, 2015
Another LoL devotee here. I like salted Kerrygold as a spread, but am meh on unsalted. I have been totally unimpressed with Plugra, President, and most other "fancy" butters.
Probably my favorite (at least sometimes) is Cornucopia Cheese & Special Foods European Style. I have no idea where one gets it, other than my favorite local bakery, and it's kind of a seasonal product, because it's best when the cows have been on grass. It's tasty year round though.
Probably my favorite (at least sometimes) is Cornucopia Cheese & Special Foods European Style. I have no idea where one gets it, other than my favorite local bakery, and it's kind of a seasonal product, because it's best when the cows have been on grass. It's tasty year round though.
sadenis
November 6, 2015
I try to use butter made from pasture-raised and humanely treated cows if I can. And butter from Europe is always like that since, until recently, they hadn't even considered feeding their cows corn. By buying from companies that are doing good, we let the other companies know they need to improve. I will have to try some of those European brands mentioned. Mmm. I have made my own with local cream and it was so good.
Shannon G.
November 6, 2015
I appreciate the difference between butters on moisture content and baking, but I veer away from industrial butters like LOL. The milk used is from poorly treated and poorly fed animals stuffed with rGBH and other nasties. I second the motion on Kate's of Maine, widely available in grocery stores in New England (although I've seen it in New Mexico so it gets around). Minerva, harder to find and in two pound blocks, is also great.
Linda C.
November 6, 2015
You've never made frosting with Kerrygold or Plugra? Oh my! It's to die for! I buy the imported when it's on sale and stock up. Just smelling Kerrygold makes me want to eat a whole stick!
Melinda W.
October 11, 2015
For most baking, I use regular salted butter from Costco and it has always served me well. If I can't get to Costco, I use whatever is on sale or a supermarket house brand. It is usually just as good as the name brands, but less expensive. For pie crusts or for spreading on toast, I like Kerrygold.
Marni P.
October 11, 2015
I'm a small business owner and because I don't produce in sufficient volume, for now, I buy ingredients at retail prices. President and Elle et Vire are $10CAD + per pound here, but I can't see using a cheaper brand for pie crusts and brioche. It creates a problem with bread where I sell my baked goods, because bread here is not really culturally important (I live and work in the Dominican Republic) and already, people wouldn't expect to pay what it costs ME to bake a brioche, never mind the retail mark up. It's definitely a conundrum...
Annie
September 28, 2015
Oh, yes, missed that , thanks. happy to see that brand mentioned though all the others are excellent, also
Annie
September 27, 2015
Sadly, I did not see mentioned one brand, that is Kate’s butter from Maine. Maybe it is only found in the Northeast. But it gets rave reviews from my friends when they taste it, The unsalted is excellent for pastries, and considering I have made my own puff pastry for croissants, I feel confident in it. Supporting “local” farmers is very satisfying, too.
Printz
September 27, 2015
I go for LOL salted 95% of the time, and I'll indulge in one of the imported butters if I'm having guests. I totally boycott the whole organic game and the Amish- oh geeze- where does one start with them? This Costco's seems to have quite a devoted following though- might have to give them a try when I do my holiday baklava.
Angel
September 27, 2015
When I went online to LOL butter site the amount of asterisk ingredients were ridiculous. I will never use LOL butter.
Anna D.
September 27, 2015
I was curious after I read this, so I checked the website. The only ingredients listed were sweet cream and salt. Not sure what you mean.
GAIL P.
September 27, 2015
I use Amish Butter,from the Amish store we have here. I KNOW it's GOOD.
amysarah
September 27, 2015
I forgot all about that! A local store sells 2 lb logs of Minerva Amish Butter - so good, and the price isn't bad either (compared to European butters.) I need to pick some up. https://www.minervadairy.com/images/RollButter.pdf
Mary A.
September 27, 2015
Kerry lists all its ingredient(s): Pasteurized cream. Even Costco butter doesn't do that. it lists something they don't explain. I can't remember it exactly to write here --but we've all read it many times.
On the package you also find: Milk made from grass-fed cows, not treated with growth hormones. And another place: No significance shown between milk derived from rbST-treated and non-rbST nontreated cows. I take that to mean they can't really brag about the fact they don't used hormone-treated milk.
On the package you also find: Milk made from grass-fed cows, not treated with growth hormones. And another place: No significance shown between milk derived from rbST-treated and non-rbST nontreated cows. I take that to mean they can't really brag about the fact they don't used hormone-treated milk.
Althea T.
September 27, 2015
I am loathe to admit it, while I prefer LOL butter I will buy whatever is on sale. They seem to get the job done for baking. I do love Kerrygold and Plugra however, I'd rather eat it than bake with it. Just so yummy on toast, popcorn and corn on the cob.
Alexandra G.
September 27, 2015
Land O' lakes, much like Tyson chicken has had horrible abuse of their animals brought to light, so no I will not use their crappy butter.
Jen
September 27, 2015
I think Breakstones is a little overpriced at Fairway. I've seen it more in the 5 dollar range at other NY grocery stores. Can you comment though on the animal management of the grocery store classic brands like L.O.L. and Breakstones?
Catherine A.
September 27, 2015
Land O'Lakes, because I can always get it. When you don't live in the city, you buy what you can get. That said, I never used butter that much before we lived in Europe for 3 yrs (Army family). It was the 80s - Common Market butter was 44 cents a kilo at the Commissary. I never looked back!
enestor19
September 27, 2015
Kerrygold forever. My husband grew up on a dairy farm in Ireland, and once I tried it I was hooked. No price sensitivity either, as I'm not a baker, so we don't use all that much. If we could get Connaught Gold, all the better (it's the co-op the family's in), but they don't export.
Larry L.
September 27, 2015
I use European style for my pie crusts, and rolls (I get this from our United Dairymen of Arizona retail store). I use regular store bought (Sam's or Costco) for other cooking. I make my own (from left over heavy cream) and use that or Kerrygold as a spread for toast and warm bread. Pretty extreme, huh?
Haute I.
September 26, 2015
Being from Hawaii butter has always been expensive to me, even milk is about $8 a gallon. So when I discovered Straus Family Organic European Style Butter I fell in love. San Francisco Whole Foods, Instacart, and Safeway carried it. Went home for a visit to Hawaii and found it at Safeway there for $3.49 stocked up. Please check it out my baking has never been the same. http://strausfamilycreamery.com (Try their cream top milk and creams) Not an ad just love their products.
Yael E.
September 25, 2015
Plugra tastes weird and gross to me and I had to throw it out. Trader Joe's has a salted cultured butter from Brittany that they just started stocking at 2.99 for 8.8 oz it is a STEAL. Other than that I agree with the comment about the Organic Valley pasture butter. This is my favorite american butter (Vermont Creamery is pretty good too.) Either way, this Trader Joe's stuff is as good if not BETTER and a fraction of the price.
kzmccaff
November 6, 2015
This may be a silly question, but what makes a butter cultured? (I assume it majors in art history and attends a lot of opera, but other than that... ;) )
erynmarch
November 6, 2015
not a silly question at all! the standard in the US is sweet cream butter made from fresh milk. in europe is is more common to have cultured butter — it is literally cultured like buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream. so it has culturing agents added which deepen the flavor, making it more complex and pronounced. i like it better, it tastes delicious to me. but as just about everyone has mentioned, it would be wasted in anything where the butter flavor isn't the star.
ChefJune
September 25, 2015
I'm fussy about using only dairy products with no rBST. I use Whole Foods 365 unsalted butter for baking. KerryGold or Beurre d'Isigny for cooking and serving.
mrslarkin
September 25, 2015
I'm on team Costco butter! It's really great, and less expensive than many other brands. Right now, it's about $2.50/lb., (the price fluctuates) which is still not super cheap, really. Cabot butter was just on sale for the same price at our local supermarket, so I snagged a bunch of those.
Panfusine
September 25, 2015
My main use for butter is making Ghee rather than baking, I usually buy the Organic unsalted butter from Wegman's & WHole Foods' house brand, Organic Valley or Trader Joes (when I make a trip there). And Kerrygold salted butter for bread, toasts an sandwiches, since my kids seem to love it.
JAC
September 25, 2015
Thank you, Amanda Hesser for backing me up on this one! I've used salted LOL for years. I've had other cooks and bakers look at me sideways for using salted butter but you are right; It has never let me down.
I do use the higher fat, more expensive butters in baking occasionally, especially when using a recipe from a European cookbook.
However, I agree with Alice Medrich. I tried using Kerrygold in an old cake recipe and didn't like the way it turned out.
Last- The price of butter in NYC is a big Ouch! I scowled when LOL hit 3.49!!
I do use the higher fat, more expensive butters in baking occasionally, especially when using a recipe from a European cookbook.
However, I agree with Alice Medrich. I tried using Kerrygold in an old cake recipe and didn't like the way it turned out.
Last- The price of butter in NYC is a big Ouch! I scowled when LOL hit 3.49!!
maryw
September 25, 2015
Use Challenge, or even store brands for most baking. But I also get Kerrygold and LOL European occasionally. It depends on the price, or what I'm baking, and I bake weekly.
Kim D.
September 25, 2015
LOL for baking, although I've been known to use TJs in a pinch. Kate's of Maine sea salted for finish, on corn, bread and muffins or anytime I want to swoon over a pat of butter.
Anna D.
September 25, 2015
I sometimes use Kerrygold from TJ's, but I usually go with Tillamook, salted. Very tasty.
D
September 25, 2015
In Canada we there is no international butter. When I go to our house in Florida I can get Kerry Gold Irish butter and French President butter. Delicious compared to Canadian choices.
Jarka
September 27, 2015
I don't know where you live in Canada, but here on the West Coast we can drive in 40 minutes to Point Roberts, Wa. where you can find the yummy Kerry Gold Irish butter any time.
FertileCroissant
September 24, 2015
There's a local creamery here that makes butter with 91% butterfat! I sometimes use it for pastry and pie crust, but it's $12-14/lb, and it has such little moisture that it doesn't really work in most recipes without tweaking.
Lately I've been using Kerrygold, because it's grass fed, but still relatively affordable
Lately I've been using Kerrygold, because it's grass fed, but still relatively affordable
Sipa
September 24, 2015
I do not want hormones in my butter so I do not buy Land O'Lakes except in an emergency. I mostly use Trader Joes unsalted organic butter for everyday.
Laura
September 24, 2015
I used a store brand butter for my Christmas Cookies many years ago. Never again. They didn't brown well, and most of them spread flat on the pan. I emailed Southern Living magazine, where some of the cookie recipes came from, and they said that some of the cheaper brands of butter have more water in them. I've stuck to LOL or other quality brands for baking ever since.
purpleravioli
September 24, 2015
I use a local brand (NorCal), McClelland's Dairy butter for spreading on bread/toast. Super $$$ but comes from grass fed cows. Flavor is like nothing I've ever tasted. I use LOL for everything else. But after seeing all the comments I'm going to head over to Costco!!
amysarah
September 24, 2015
Costco butter, ditto. Much less $$ and perfectly fine for cooking, baking, everyday use. I also use it to make ghee, as I'll make a couple lbs at a time. When I want a higher end butter to put on bread at a dinner or brunch, etc., Costco also sells 3-packs of Kerry Gold (each block 8 0z.) for 6.99, occasionally on sale for 5.99. Very good deal.
Rachel H.
September 24, 2015
Here's another vote for Costco butter! l always have it in the fridge and the freezer. Actually, I moved to London a month ago, so I haven't figured out what to do about the butter. I haven't seen any multi-packs of butter yet. And don't get me started on how impossible it is to find large quantities of nuts! (I'm spoiled by the massive bags of pecans at Costco.) I'll have to go check out the Costco here...
Sarah J.
September 24, 2015
Wow, Costco butter clearly has a following! What else is great at Costco? My grandparents swear by the berries!
mrslarkin
September 25, 2015
My Costco also carries 25 lb bags of King Arthur ap flour, in case you bake a lot. (this flour rocks my world did you know.)
Mary A.
September 27, 2015
Tuna, organic chicken, eggs that stay fresh, 1/2 & 1/2, tomatoes, artisan romaine, organic hamburger and I could go on.
anniette
September 28, 2015
All of the cheeses. The goat cheese is superb and a terrific price. Mayorga Cubano coffee beans, Virginia salted peanuts, definitely the butter - I used to insist on Land o' Lakes until I discovered Costco. Did a taste test, Costco won. Their Kirkland balsamic vinegar, sacks of pine nuts, vanilla beans, prosciutto. Did have a problem with stale hazelnuts, twice, but otherwise their sacks of pecans, walnuts, almonds, are fridge staples for me.
HalfPint
September 24, 2015
I'm also a Costco butter fan. Very reliable and inexpensive. I definitely use the fancy-pants expensive butters when I really want the key flavor to be butter, like slathered on a baguette or good bread. In place of pate, a good European butter in my banh mi.
Ross S.
September 24, 2015
Yikes! I know I live in Wisconsin, but the cost. We can get good butter here for less than $3 a pound.
Stephanie P.
September 25, 2015
We are quite lucky in Wisconsin. I "splurge" on locally produced butter at the Co-Op down the street from my house, and it's about $4 a pound.
Bevi
September 24, 2015
I use Costco over the holidays, Cabot as a daily butter (my grandfather was one of the original members of the Cabot Cooperative Creamery), and Vermont Creamery Salted and Unsalted Butters when I want to splurge. Unclutured
Taylor R.
September 24, 2015
100% yes to Lurpak in anything non-baked. It's the best! But I'd second a caution against using the full amount in a recipe. It's very different than making cookies with the "regular stuff".
Haley P.
September 24, 2015
Love this article! My experience reflects all of the examples here too - when making chocolate chip cookies in the UK, I had to cut the amount of butter I used by about a third to prevent them from coming out of the oven greasy. That said, I do love quality (especially cultured) butter for toast and other recipes that feature butter as a more prominent part of their flavor profile.
calendargirl
September 24, 2015
I grew up as a Land O' Lakes girl, but now I buy Costco's unsalted butter, four pounds at a time, and stash them in the freezer. This butter has never let me down, no matter how I use it, and the price is hard to beat.
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