stick sweet butter
Rich in milk fat and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K2), with approximately 100 calories and 11 grams of fat per tablespoon. Contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and butyric acid, which may have anti-inflammatory properties.
About
Sweet butter, or unsalted butter, is a dairy product produced by churning cream or milk until the fat globules coalesce into a solid or semi-solid mass. It is distinguished from salted butter by the absence of added sodium chloride, allowing the natural, delicate flavor of the milk fat to predominate. The product typically contains 80-82% milk fat, 16-17% water, and 1-2% milk solids. Sweet butter is sold in stick form (typically 1/4 pound or 113 grams per stick in North America) for precise measurement and easy portioning in cooking and baking. The color ranges from pale ivory to pale yellow depending on the diet and breed of the dairy cattle, with grass-fed butter displaying a more pronounced golden hue.
Culinary Uses
Sweet butter is the foundation ingredient for pastries, cakes, cookies, and all butter-dependent baked goods where precise control of salt content is essential. In cooking, it serves as a primary fat for sautéing, pan-frying, and finishing sauces, particularly in French and contemporary cuisines where its neutral, milky flavor complements rather than dominates dishes. The stick form provides convenient pre-portioned amounts for measuring in recipes requiring exact quantities. Sweet butter is essential for laminated doughs (croissants, puff pastry, Danish pastries) and ideal for creaming with sugar in cake batters, where its purity allows bakers to control sodium levels and achieve optimal texture and rise.