A butter curler is a kitchen gadget which is designed to assist cooks in carving butter into fanciful shapes and curls. It is often included in sets of garnishing tools which include things like lemon zesters and melon ballers. Although most cooks do not have cause to use a butter curler, the device can be quite useful, especially for formal dinners. Carved butter garnishes at the table can add an elegant look. More importantly, if you have ever wondered about how restaurants make butter curls, now you know.

The construction of a butter curler looks slightly bizarre to someone who is not familiar with the tool. A butter curler has a long handle attached to a serrated and hooked metal blade. The blade can be dragged across a stick of chilled butter to generate wispy shavings of butter, tightly furled butter flowers, and other garnishes, with practice. A butter curler can also be used to create delicate textured patterns in butter.

Working with a butter curler can take a few misfires before a cook gets it right. As a general rule, the butter is chilled, while the butter curler is warmed before use. Varying amounts of pressure yield different curled butter designs. If the butter breaks or flakes, it is too cold, and it should be allowed to warm slightly before trying again.

Once butter garnishes have been sculpted with a butter curler, they should be kept in ice water or under refrigeration so that the shape does not collapse. If the butter is going to be presented in a large bowl at the table, it can be chilled in the bowl, and the cool surface of the bowl will help the butter stay firm throughout table service. The addition of a garnish like parsley will add visual interest to the presentation.

There are other potential uses for a butter curler. The device can be used to shave chocolate, for example. When foods like chocolate and butter need to be melted down, a butter curler can be used to make small, easily melted shavings, which will cut down the time required for the melting process. Some crafters use butter curlers to make wax shavings, which can be decorative when mounded around the bases of candles.

When selecting a butter curler, try to find one with a smooth, solid handle made from metal or plastic. Holes in the handle can collect small bits of food and potentially host bacteria as well. Since a butter curler tends to get greasy, the ability to throw one in a dishwasher is also rather nice.