Because nothing ruins a batch of chocolate chip cookies like too much butter. Too little, and they’re sad little hockey pucks. Too much, and you’ve basically invented a butter soup. So precision matters, but it’s not rocket science.
Here’s a pro tip: print this butter cheat sheet (or just tattoo it on your forearm—no judgment). One stick = 8 tbsp = ½ cup. Half a stick = 4 tbsp = ¼ cup. A quarter stick = 2 tbsp = ⅛ cup. And a butter sliver? That’s just a snack for the cook. No measurement needed.
What About Unsalted vs. Salted Butter?
Don’t let the salt confusion throw you off. Half a stick of unsalted butter is still 4 tablespoons—the same as salted. The only difference is flavor and your sodium intake. So if the recipe says “unsalted,” please don’t use salted and think no one will notice. We will. Our taste buds have eyes.
But if you do use salted, just reduce the added salt in the recipe by a pinch. Or don’t. Live dangerously. I’m not a butter cop.
