A practical container for keeping butter fresh, chilled and yet soft enough to spread on anything.
The first time I saw a butter bell was at the home of my mother’s friend, Susan. Susan had a beautiful home, great taste and was a fantastic cook. Susan’s butter bell was tulip-shaped and made of hand glazed pottery. Like any good host she always had the perfect item for every occasion. This butter bell was no exception — it was sitting next to a big basket of scones she had baked fresh that morning. But what I also noticed that day was that while the house was very warm, the butter stayed cold and fresh. I did not however, have any idea how the thing really worked or why we never had one at home. In fact I only knew it was butter because I saw a dozen people dig in and spread the contents on their scones along with blueberry jam.
The butter crock, also known as a butter bell or butter keeper, dates back to 19th century France. It is a two-piece contraption that keeps butter fresh on the counter for up to 30 days. The water should be as close to or touching the butter as possible. This device keeps butter smooth and spreadable for whenever you need it. While you can in theory keep it out all the time. I always put mine in the fridge overnight and take out in the morning when I make coffee.
The butter bell pictured above was a gift from Liz. Many years ago when I bought my first apartment she gave me this piece along with two mugs, a wonderful batter bowl, a sponge holder and a pie plate. All of them were hand thrown by a family friend, Peggy Ahlgren — her studio was Wilson Creek Pottery. Flash forward 20 years…. Peggy has since retired, but her studio lives on and so does this genius storage item. And I do mean genius!
So with all of this Covid baking and wonderful homemade bread, it’s the perfect time to bring back this classic butter dish. You can find butter bells all over the internet, from the more classic French ceramic version to more refined hand made versions. Etsy is a good resource and has lovely colors. I love this one and this fabulous yellow option from Emille Henry that Liz would love.
We think this would make a great addition to any holiday table. Check out our table ideas here.
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