Wondering how to open a butter packet? This TikTok hack makes it super easy.
This Butter Hack Is Going Viral and You Need to Try It
Updated on Oct. 25, 2023
Butter does make everything better. Whether it’s salted butter for bagels or sweet butter for baking, all varieties of butter have value. We love to add it to our baked potatoes and fresh loaves of bread.
However, sometimes trying to figure out how to open a butter packet can get sort of messy. They are hard to open and if the butter has begun to melt, it’ll often smear everywhere as we’re trying to get the package open. We want it on our knives to smear onto our food, and not on our hands or clothes.
How Did a Pat of Butter End Up in a Foil Packet?
Butter wasn’t always kept in a foil packet. What we think of now as a “pat” or packet of butter probably started out in restaurants as a small amount of butter given in a bowl or on a plate, either to each diner or in a communal bowl. Nowadays, you might still see it that way at some restaurants, sometimes shaped into a flower or other pretty shape.
However, serving butter this way meant that restaurants couldn’t always offer their customers consistent quality. Industrialization offered a solution—butter cutters that would cut perfect pats of butter that could be wrapped for hotels and restaurants. Depending on how far it had to travel or the climate where was kept, keeping it in small wrapped packages kept it neat and helped to avoid melting and mess in transit. Of course, opening those butter packets became a new issue for consumers—until we came upon this hack.
Curious about how much butter you’re eating? This is the number of calories in a pat of butter.
How to Open a Butter Packet
@grantirvine7 Restaurant life hack. #butter #lifehack #restaurant #restaurantfun #fork #butterfork #spreadbutter ♬ Yum Yum Yum – Jurassic Joe
We’re all about hacks to make our lives easier, and that includes enjoying butter. It’s incredible how easy this hack makes it to open a butter packet without mess or fuss. Just use a fork to spear the butter packet, and then squeeze it onto whatever you’re enjoying it on. The butter will come right out and avoid any peeling or opening.
Recipes That Celebrate Butter
ShortbreadI live in Missouri, but many family recipes come from New Zealand, where I was born. My parents moved there when I was a year old, so I have a "Down Under" heritage. These special-occasion cookies bring back warm memories of my childhood, and I'm going to make sure they're passed on to the next generation in my family—no matter where they live! —Allen Swenson, Camdenton, Missouri
Butter Pecan CakeThis irresistible butter pecan cake features multiple layers, plenty of toasted buttery pecan crunch and a thick layer of buttercream frosting. In a word, it's delicious. Serve with a scoop of vanilla or maple ice cream to complement this decadent southern dessert.
CornbreadGolden squares of buttery cornbread pair perfectly with any comfort meal. This cornbread is crisp on the outside with a soft, crumbly interior.
PfeffernuesseThese mild spice cookies, perfect for dunking, come from an old family recipe. —Betty Hawkshaw, Alexandria, Virginia
Pecan Butter TartsI searched for the perfect butter tart for ages. After many attempts, I discovered this favorite that begs for a scoop of ice cream on top. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio
Aunt Rose’s Fantastic Butter ToffeeElevate your homemade candy game with this easy butter toffee recipe—wonderful for gifting, sharing or indulging in a sweet, crunchy treat.
Kentucky Butter CakeI found this butter cake recipe in an old cookbook I bought at a garage sale and couldn’t wait to try it. I knew it had been someone’s favorite because of the well-worn page. —Joan Gertz, Palmetto, Florida
Shortbread CookieThis shortbread cookie recipe is an easy one to memorize and yields simple, buttery treats to enjoy with coffee, alongside tea or after a big dinner that didn't leave much room for dessert.
Thumbprint CookiesButtery and not-too-sweet thumbprint cookies filled with fruit preserves make for a refreshing little bite any time of day.
We'll show you how to make butter cookies.
Crisp Sugar CookiesMy grandmother always had sugar cookies in her pantry, and we grandchildren would empty that big jar quickly because they were the best! I now regularly bake these wonderful cookies to share with friends. —Evelyn Poteet, Hancock, Maryland
Lemon Shortbread CookiesThese lemon shortbread cookies are the perfect blend of buttery richness and zesty citrus. They're a delightful treat for any occasion, featuring a tender, crumbly texture, topped with a sweet lemon drizzle.
Pound CakeOur rich and sweet pound cake recipe is made with all the basics—butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla and flour—for a perfect, tender crumb and rich flavor. Serve it with berries and whipped cream, or enjoy a slice on its own.
Raspberry RibbonsI make these attractive, buttery cookies to serve at our remote guest lodge, and all the cooks in the kitchen are addicted to them! —Patsy Wolfenden, Golden, British Columbia
Pecan Pie BarsCome for the pecan pie-like flavors, stay for the milk chocolate toffee bits. Our pecan pie bars might be tastier than their pie inspiration!
Butter Pecan FudgeThis butter pecan fudge recipe is one you'll return to again and again. It is delicious and relatively easy to make.
Buttery Bubble BreadHomemade bread can be time-consuming, difficult and tricky to make. But this fun-to-eat monkey bread, baked in a fluted tube pan, is easy and almost foolproof. If I'm serving it for breakfast, I add some cinnamon and drizzle it with icing. —Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas
Italian Butter CookiesButtery soft with a sweet chocolate tip, these Italian butter cookies are a surefire way to impress your guests. Make them ahead of time (they freeze exceptionally well), or fresh in just a few hours; either way, you'll have a simple yet tasty treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Cranberry Butter Crunch BarkOne Christmas I dreamed this recipe up when making butter crunch toffee. It is an addictive treat that disappears fast.—Heather Ferris, Vanderhoof, British Columbia
Slice & Bake Coconut Shortbread CookiesLight and buttery, these delicate shortbread cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good. The coconut flavor makes them extra special. —Roberta Otto, Duluth, Minnesota
Lemon & Rosemary Butter CookiesCooling lemon and aromatic rosemary make these butter cookies stand out at the holidays. I use them to punch up the cookie trays for potlucks or as gifts.—Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba
Stollen Butter RollsMy family members enjoy my stollen so much and say it’s just too good to be served only on holidays. I created this buttery, less-sweet dinner roll version. —Mindy White, Nashville, Tennessee
Tender Pecan LogsFolks always ask me to make these tender nutty logs. Not overly sweet, they're just right with a steaming cup of coffee or tea. —Joyce Beck, Gadsden, Alabama
Lemon Butter CookiesThese tender cutout cookies have a slight lemon flavor that makes them stand out from the rest. They're very easy to roll out compared to other sugar cookies I've worked with. I know you'll enjoy them as much as we do. —Judy McCreight, Springfield, Illinois
Heavenly Praline CakeA moist cake and generous frosting are filled with the fabulous flavor of caramel. The candied pecans are almost a dessert by themselves!—Jennifer Rodriguez, Midland, Texas
Martha Washington CandyMartha Washington candy is a nostalgic confection that’s been passed down for generations. Don’t let the word “candy” intimidate you! This confection is very easy to make, with zero fancy tools required.
Maple Butter TwistsMy stepmother gave me the recipe for a delicious yeast coffee cake shaped into pretty rings. When I make it for friends, they always ask for seconds. —June Gilliland, Hope, Indiana
Cherry SnowballsA juicy maraschino cherry is the secret center tucked inside these special cookies. My mom was inspired to create this by a recipe she clipped out of a newspaper more than 30 years ago. —Evy Adams, West Seneca, New York
Crescent RollsAll the right words describe homemade crescent rolls: buttery, flaky, easy and tasty. One bite, and you'll never buy canned dough again.
Basic Chocolate Pinwheel CookiesImpress your guests with these visually appealing pinwheel cookies. Our easy-to-follow recipe combines classic vanilla and rich chocolate doughs into a beautiful, swirled treat that requires just 15 minutes to prep.
Buttery Spritz CookiesSpritz cookies are perfect for holiday cookie trays, or for any time during the year when you want a soft and delightful treat!
Yellow Cake RecipeA yellow cake recipe is a staple for any home baker. This recipe comes complete with chocolate buttercream frosting to make the ultimate birthday celebration treat.
Fruitcake Christmas CookiesA twist on classic fruitcake, these easy fruitcake cookies are as festive as they are fun to bake.
Snowball CookiesI love making these buttery, nutty cookies during the holidays. This snowball cookies recipe (also called pecan meltaways) is simple enough to make ahead and freeze, too!
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese FrostingCinnamon, nutmeg, carrots and a creamy, tangy frosting make this classic carrot cake a winner.
Linzer CookiesClassic Linzer cookies will always stand out on a holiday cookie plate because of their stained glass appearance and delicate dusting of confectioners' sugar.
Lemon SnowdropsI save my snowdrop cookies for special occasions. The crunchy, buttery sandwich cookie has a puckery lemon filling. —Bernice Martinoni, Petaluma, California
Coconut CookiesThis coconut cookie recipe delivers a mellow, lightly sweet-tasting cookie that's the perfect complement to a bowl of ice cream. And while we doubt you'll have any left over, they freeze well, meaning you'll always have a sweet treat on hand when the craving strikes.
Buttery Almond CookiesMy husband loves these cookies. They have an old-fashioned flavor that goes well with a cup of tea. Plus they're simple to put together. —Elaine Anderson, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
Chocolate Hazelnut ShortbreadWe love hazelnut flavor and cookies that aren’t too sweet, so this recipe is perfect for us! If you like your cookies on the sweeter side, bake up these crisp beauties and slather some Nutella between two to create an extra-special sandwich cookie. —Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana
Butter Pecan Icebox CookiesMy grandmother used to bake very similar cookies. As a little girl, I always loved their butterscotch flavor and was fascinated by the way Grandmother prepared these cookies (from logs that she took out of the icebox!). These are simple but delicious old-fashioned cookies. The dough logs can be stored in the freezer, then pulled out to defrost a day or two before baking time.—Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Chocolate-Dipped Orange CookiesThese tender cookies are pretty to look at—and the combination of cream cheese, orange, chocolate and almonds makes them almost irresistible. —Linda Call, Falun, Kansas
Pecan Roll-UpsThis recipe is so delicious and is sure to become a favorite of your family. The pecans make them so rich.—Lee B. Roberts, Racine, Wisconsin
