Can you imagine a world without butter? I know I can't! Butter is an amazing and important ingredient that can be used for so many different things- to finish a sauce, for baked goods and sauté onions. When you buy sticks of butter or margarine at the grocery store, it's natural to just remove the wax paper liner and toss it in the garbage. Think twice before you do that. It might sound crazy, but saving your butter wrappers actually comes in handy and it can save you some money, too. Store them in a plastic bag in the freezer so you can reuse them whenever you need to.
Take a look at all the reasons why you should start saving your butter wrappers.
1. Grease Pans
Ditch the non-stick spray or paper towel method and reuse butter paper to grease a cake pan, cookie sheet, or cupcake tray. There's a small amount of butter left on the wrapper, but it's just enough to get the job done! It'll save you money spent on cooking spray and your hands will stay clean. You can also use it to coat a sauté pan or casserole dish.
2. Coat Yeast Bread with Butter Wrappers
Instead of melting butter for the final brush on dinner rolls or yeast bread, cover the top with a few butter wrappers. The heat from the bread will melt the butter, so there's no need to use the microwave or stove top.
Your bread will have a nice layer of melted butter on top and you also won't have to worry about throwing away any leftover butter. You can also try out this method when you're making toast.
3. Wrap Caramel and Other Candies
One of my favorite ways to reuse butter wrappers is to cut them up and use them to wrap DIY caramels and candies. The butter will make it easier to release the candy and hey, it looks pretty darn cute too! Make a bunch and give them out as a fun, one of a kind gift. This butter wrapper trick is perfect for home cooks who like baking!
4. Coat Corn on the Cobs
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I love corn on the cob, but it has to be covered and generously coated in butter (I have no shame admitting that!). A simply way to butter corn is with a butter wrapper. Say goodbye to the mess, butter knives, and time spent on coating corn.
5. Press Down Rice Krispie Treats
Every childhood party and get together had to have Rice Krispie treats on the table. And if you're still a kid at heart, you continue to bring them to every party! Growing up, I remember always being the one who brought them as a fun treat. You really can't go wrong, unless you're left with a sticky mess all over your hands and favorite spatula.
While you could use parchment paper or aluminum foil, why not be sustainable and reuse a butter wrapper next time to press the Rice Krispie treats into the pan. This is especially fun and helpful for the kids if they are helping out in the kitchen.
6. Separate Hamburger Patties
Whether you're making a batch of hamburgers for dinner in a few hours or planning ahead and freezing hamburger patties, layering each one in between butter wrappers is a simple trick to keep them separated. It will also take up less space in the freezer or refrigerator.
7. Microwave Potatoes
After scrubbing a potato, poke a few holes in it with a fork or knife and wrap it in a butter wrapper from the freezer. Microwave it until cooked and you'll end up with a buttery, delicious baked potato.
This post was originally published on July 12, 2018.
