High quality full fat butter
Half pint jelly jar with ring and seal
wide mouth canning funnel
a saucepan of boiling water
large pot to melt butter
A whisk or spatula for stirring
a towel to cover the counter top
Damp cloth to wipe rims of jars
Colander and a ladle
2 lbs of butter will fill 5 half pint jelly jars
Heat jelly jars in a 250 F degree oven for 20 min. without rings or seals. I use a casserole dish to hold them while in the oven.
Put the seals and rings in a large bowl. Pour boiling water over them to sterilize them. Set aside.
While the jars are heating, slowly melt the butter in a large heavy pot until it comes to a slow boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 min. The 5 min. of simmering is very important, and cannot be reduced. You must stir often to keep the butter from scorching.
After it has simmered for 5 min., take the hot jars out of the oven and place on towel. Drain the seals and rings. Do not touch they are sterile. I use my large metal colander.
Carefully ladle the melted butter into the jars, using the funnel, dipping the ladle from the bottom of the pot. Leave 3/4 " of head space, which allows room fro the shaking process.
Wipe the rims with the damp cloth, to ensure that they are butter free. Add the seals and tighten the rings firmly. Set them on the town on the counter. They will seal as they cool.
Once a few lids "ping", shake the jars while they are still warm, but cool enough to handle easily, because the butter will separate into layers. I shake mine every 15 min. or so.
As about the 1 hour mark, I put them in the fridge to harden. Then they are in the fridge, I go back and shake them every 5 min. This final shaking is very important! They will harden suddenly into a uniform color and consistency. Leave in the fridge at least 1 hr. I left mine in overnight.
Canned butter should store 3 years in a cool dark place. Canned butter does not "melt" upon opening, so it does not need to be refrigerated upon opening, provided it is used within a reasonable period of time.
According to my sources, cheap butter will not work as well as a high quality name brand.
