If you’re looking to take a step back in time and make homemade butter in a mason jar—the old-fashioned way, you’re in the right place—grab your mason jar and stick around! You’ll learn how to make rich, creamy butter using just one simple ingredient. I have to give credit to my beautiful youngest daughter, Madisyn; this is her recipe, and she has been making butter this way since she was little.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Netflix.
Whenever I watch Little House on the Prairie, I’m always struck by how different life was. Let’s be real—living in the prairie days wasn’t for the weak! Life was objectively harder, but in so many ways, it was simpler, too. Communities actually came together to support one another, families stayed close, and the daily rhythm forced people to slow down. In our fast-paced modern world, it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to pay attention to the little things.
Honestly, there is a lot one can take from the show but the biggest things for me, that’s left a lasting impact: it’s a gentle reminder to stop, slow down, and soak up the moments and people that matter.
This week, spending time in the kitchen with Madisyn while she taught me how to make butter in a mason jar felt like stepping straight onto the prairie. Sure, it turned into an unexpected “arm day” workout—but shaking that jar together became so much more than just a chore. It became a beautiful memory. That fresh, creamy butter on slice of bread was simple, honest, and worth every single shake and I’ll hang on to the memories we created for years to come.
It reminded me of just how blessed we are with life’s simple joys: family, an amazing neighbor coming to your rescue, a beautiful day, or even just a warm cup of coffee. It’s a timeless process that takes you back and reminds you to remain grateful for the little things we so easily overlook.
And, I am just going to be 100 percent real with you for a moment: Watching Little House on the Prairie, brings up all kinds of emotions for me. My kids are grown, my family isn’t as close as I would like them to be, and while I have wonderful people in my life, the sense of community they have in Little House on the Prairie is just so beautiful. My youngest is already 16 years old, my other children are grown and out of the house. It’s been a reminder for me, how important it is to make time for the little things—making butter your teen daughter because one day those little things become the big things.
How to Make Homemade Butter In a Mason Jar
Ingredients:
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Mason Jar (or two)
Directions
Making this homemade butter in a mason jar is easy peasy, but get your arm ready it’s a little bit of a workout.
- Pour heavy whipping cream into a mason jar and put the lid on.
- Shake the heavy whipping cream in the mason jar. A little tip we learned this time around: you can do this in one jar, but splitting it into two will make the process easier and save you a little time. It’s also much easier on your arms.
- Shake for about 10 minutes or until the butter begins to separate from the liquid (this liquid is buttermilk, and you can save it for future recipes, such as pancakes). Right before the butter forms, the liquid will get very thick like whipped cream; you will need to keep shaking until it begins to separate into a solid and a liquid.
- Line a medium-sized bowl with cheesecloth.
- Pour the mixture into the lined bowl, letting the liquid drain through the cheesecloth
- Gather the corners of the cheesecloth and gently squeeze all the liquid out of the ball of butter; be very gentle in this process so you don’t squeeze the butter through the cheesecloth.
- In a medium-sized bowl add ice water and knead the butter in an ice bath. This is important because it gets all the extra buttermilk off which helps prevent the butter from spoiling quickly.
- Roll into a ball and allow to sit on parchment paper for a few minutes then you can place in a mason jar for storage.
- Place in the refrigerator like you would regular butter.
Are there different variations of homemade butter I can make?
Yes, after your butter is washed and shaped, you can easily customize it with mix-ins. Here are a few that we have tried:
- Strawberry Butter: Mix in your desired amount of strawberry jam until fully incorporated, then place it in the fridge to firm up.
- Honey Butter: Blend in your desired amount of honey to taste and refrigerate. (Great on warm biscuits!)
- Garlic & Parsley Butter: Add garlic salt and dried or finely chopped fresh parsley to taste, then mix thoroughly into the butter.
- Salted Butter: Add fine sea salt about 1/4 teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired saltiness.
Making this homemade butter is easy peasy, but get your arm ready—it’s a little bit of a workout! Maybe it will take you on a adventure back in time, to the magic of the frontier of the Little House on the Prairie.
Exciting News for Little House on the Prairie Fans!
Like many of you, I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie, both reading the books and watching the movies. Whether you have already had the honor of growing up with the Ingalls family or you are totally new to the story, you don’t have to be a lifelong fan to love it. The beautiful, simple things they remind us to stop and enjoy and remain grateful for are completely timeless.
If you want to spend a little time taking a step backward into the magic of the frontier, hold on to your hats! July 9, 2026, you’ll be able to watch the highly anticipated, brand new Little House on the Prairie series on Netflix.
Official Synopsis:
Part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, this fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic Little House books offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier. Just as in the Little House books, Laura is our window into this community, guiding us through a story of resilience, courage, and optimism.
I don’t know about you, but I know where I’ll be on July 9th! I hope you enjoy the Little House on the Prairie; it’s going to be great.
Be sure to stay up to date with all things Little House on the Prairie via their website LittleHouseOnThePrairie.com, Facebook, X, Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram.
Homemade Butter Using a Mason Jar
Equipment
- 2 Mason Jars You can use one but it's quicker and easier if you use two because the liquid has more room to move around in.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
Instructions
- Pour heavy whipping cream into a mason jar and put the lid on.
- Shake the heavy whipping cream in the mason jar. A little tip we learned this time around: you can do this in one jar, but splitting it into two will make the process easier and save you a little time. It’s also much easier on your arms.
- Shake for about 10 minutes or until the butter begins to separate from the liquid (this liquid is buttermilk, and you can save it for future recipes, such as pancakes). Right before the butter forms, the liquid will get very thick like whipped cream; you will need to keep shaking until it begins to separate into a solid and a liquid.
- Line a medium-sized bowl with cheesecloth.
- Pour the mixture into the lined bowl, letting the liquid drain through the cheesecloth
- Gather the corners of the cheesecloth and gently squeeze all the liquid out of the ball of butter; be very gentle in this process so you don’t squeeze the butter through the cheesecloth.
- In a medium-sized bowl add ice water and knead the butter in an ice bath. This is important because it gets all the extra buttermilk off which helps prevent the butter from spoiling quickly.
- Roll into a ball and allow to sit on parchment paper for a few minutes then you can place in a mason jar for storage.
- Place in the refrigerator like you would regular butter.
