Keep your butter perfectly soft, fresh, and spreadable in style with this exquisite ceramic butter crock (French butter bell). Adorned with a rich color palette of sunny yellow, soft lavender, brilliant cobalt blue, and lush green accents, this functional art piece showcases intricate, Mexican folk-art-inspired floral patterns.
Each piece is individually brought to life by Latina Phoenix artist and illustrator Kathy Cano-Murillo. Fired in a kiln in her local Phoenix studio, these durable, hand-painted glazed ceramics combine traditional craftsmanship with everyday kitchen utility, making it a beautiful, conversation-starting centerpiece for your dining table.
4" H x 4" Dia.
How to use:
A ceramic butter bell (sometimes called a French butter crock) is a brilliant, centuries-old invention designed to keep your butter perfectly soft, spreadable, and fresh on the counter without refrigeration. It uses a simple natural water seal to keep oxygen—which causes butter to spoil—away from the butter.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use it:
Step 1: Soften Your Butter
Before packing the bell, let a stick of real butter (half a cup) soften at room temperature until it is pliable. Do not melt it or microwave it too much; it should be soft like frosting, not liquid.
Note: This method works best with real, salted high-quality butter. Do not use margarine or oil-based spreads, as they won't stick to the ceramic.
Step 2: Pack the Butter into the Lid (The Bell)
Turn the lid upside down so the bell part faces up. Take your softened butter and pack it tightly into the bell using the back of a spoon or a small spatula.
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The Golden Rule: Press the butter firmly to push out any air pockets. If there are air bubbles between the butter and the ceramic wall, a vacuum won't form, and the butter might drop into the water later!
Step 3: Add Cold Water to the Base
Pour about $1/3$to $1/2$ cup of very cold water into the bottom crock (the base).
Step 4: Flip and Store
Carefully flip the butter-filled lid upside down and lower it into the water-filled base. The water should rise up just enough to submerge the bottom rim of the bell, creating an airtight seal that locks out oxygen and bacteria. If water overflows when you put the lid on, just pour a tiny bit out.
Step 5: Keep it Cool
Place your butter bell on your kitchen counter out of direct sunlight and away from hot appliances (like your oven or stove).
