You know, you don't need to wait until your kids are big to spend time with them in the kitchen. Homemade butter is one of the easiest things to make with kids, basically anyone that can shake a jar can do it--and the butter---oh man it's good. So much better than anything you can buy at the market.
You'll want to have your camera charged up and ready to shoot, when the kids see the cream turning into butter before their very eyes you'll get some terrific photos.
You'll need:
Small, clean jars with tight fitting lids (baby food jars are ideal)
Heavy cream
Salt, optional
Small, covered Tupperware container for storage
Fill the jars 1/2 way full with cream. Screw lid on super-tight, and shake shake shake.
You will begin to see a liquid forming and the cream starting to "ball up".
The liquid is true buttermilk. You can pour it off and collect it for another use.
(buttermilk pancakes anyone??)
Recap tightly, and continue shaking. After about 3 to 5 minutes of shaking, you'll see that the cream has become butter.
At this time you can add salt to taste, or leave it unsalted. I highly recommend slathering some on a piece of fresh bread and sampling immediately!
Transfer your butter to a Tupperware container and keep refrigerated.
