Quick help needed, what's the fastest way to soften butter to make a cake?

[Jippers]

I've suddenly developed a need for cake.. Only my butter is rock solid. I can't wait all evening for it to soften. It likely wouldn't anyway because my heating isn't on. Will it be enough if I grate it? I know microwaving isn't any good. Those who give tips can have a slice when it's ready...

Chop it into little pieces, then microwave for a few seconds on the very lowest power

Microwave.

Microwave chunks of butter on a low heat for 30 seconds.

Actually, I think medium heat for 20 seconds is best for me.

Microwave in 5 sec bursts. Prob only need 10 to 25 secs to soften it.

Is it just for you? Weigh it into a sandwich bag and shove it down your top if so. I don't think people will necessarily want to share that cake but it'll be fine.

Melt it and make a fruit cake?

10 to 15 secs I meant

Boiled water in a bowl, empty bowl, put upside down over the butter for a few minutes.

Or warm mixing bowl helps or small pieces and squash it down

Or just use the electric beaters anyway.

Pour boiling water into a bowl, leave for a few minutes. Then place butter on a plate, empty water from the bowl (wearing oven gloves!) and then upturn the bowl over the plate covering the butter. Softens it well!

Boiling water in a bowl/jug, empty it and place over the butter.

Love this!

Boiling water into a pint glass
empty and pop of the stick of butter

Microwave is fine. But only for a very short time. Try 10 secs and then try another 10.

I love that you fancy cake so are going to bake one at this time of day. Wish I had the gumption and ingredients.

When I last did this, it just stuck in one glumpy mess.

Your cake has probably been eaten by now but I microwave on defrost setting

I can't believe how many people answered so fast! Thank you all. Come back in an hour and I'll have the custard ready too. Cake & custard is my fav

Grating apparently

www.thekitchn.com/best-butter-softening-method-22969578

Oops, you’ve just posted! - I also put hard butter chopped up in the mixer, that softens it up

Cubed into baby bath warm water for 5 mins. Drain.

Saw a tik tok on this just today! Fill a pint glass with boiling water, leave a few seconds, empty out, turn the glass upside down over the butter for a minute.

Caveat : no idea if it works.

Put it on a radiator.

i saw Mary berry chop into 1cm cubes and place in slightly warm water..very quick and didn’t run risk of melting in microwave
becuase fat repels water, the butter can simply be strained when softened and tipped into ingredients

think about when you get those mini butter packs in hotels- literally if you hold in your hands for a few mins it’s enough to soften