To mix ingredients by hand, soften butter slightly, toss together dry ingredients and work butter in with fingertips, a pastry blender or a fork.

Nicole Kaplan's Gougères (Served at Eleven Madison Park) 1 cup water 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for sprinkling 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 cup bread flour 4 large eggs, at room temperature 6 ounces grated Gruyère cheese, plus extra for sprinkling.

Nectarine Crisp Total time: 1 hour, plus cooling 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup light brown sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 3 pounds ripe nectarines, pitted and cut in eighths 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup flour Whipped cream or ice cream.

It's pretty difficult to soften butter evenly in a microwave oven.

-had softened her like room temperature softens butter.

Basic Corn on the Cob 4 ears corn 4 teaspoons softened flavored butter (see recipes), optional Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

A NICE BAKED APPLE 3 tablespoons sweet butter, softened, plus additional butter for the pan 4 large apples 1 cup dark brown sugar 1 cup chopped almonds, toasted 3/4 cup hot water Juice of 1 lemon.

BRIOCHE 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 4 1/4 cups cake flour 3/4 cup sugar 4 teaspoons salt 2 1/2 tablespoons yeast 3/4 cup warm water 10 large eggs 1 1/4 pounds softened unsalted butter.

As fish marinates, soften butter in a small bowl.

Cream the chives and soften butter together until they are well mixed.