Question about butter

[Bucktown]

I took out 2 sticks of butter last night to bring them to room temperature for cookies. Then I fell asleep for the night with my daughter. How long is too long to have butter sitting on your countertop? Should I just dump it and start over?

[Missy2U]

It's fine. I leave butter out all the time. There's nothing I hate WORSE than ice cold butter. I even have a butter bell which I use all year (except summer).

ETA - as long as it was covered/in the wrapper.

[Boopy]

It's fine. I leave a stick of butter out on the counter at all times so it's always soft.

[j*east]

It's totally fine, esp in winter. If it got runny and smelled off, toss it, but I don't think that would happen unless it was much warmer.

[Bucktown]

Great! I was so PO'd when I woke at 3AM & realized I left it out. I hate wasting butter, especially when it's so freaking expensive!

[jenjunum]

Recipes often recommend leaving it out overnight so it really comes to room temperature. In fact I bought some this morning that I have sitting in my car so it will be soft so I can bake when I get home from work today.