Learn how to measure sticks, cups, tablespoons, and ounces of butter.

One cup of butter is equal to two sticks.

One stick of butter equals about 1/2 cup or 8 tablespoons.

butter in a plate isolated on a white background

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Why Is Butter Sold in Sticks?

Butter is most commonly sold in square or rectangular sticks or blocks.

Stick butter is also easier to manage and measure than scoopable spreads like margarine.

Clarified Butter

How Many Sticks Are in One Cup of Butter?

We’ll break it down:

1 stick = 1/2 cup = 8 Tbsp.

A box of four sticks of butter is typically 1 lb., making each stick 1/4 lb.

sticks of butter on a wooden cutting board

Many Southern recipes forpound cakecall for four sticks, 1 lb., or, a whole box of butter!

Imported butter, such as Irish or French butter, is typically sold in half-pound blocks.

How Do I Measure One Cup of Butter?

how to brown butter - browned butter

For example, on a quarter-pound stick of butter, you’ll see eight tablespoons ticked off.

Some brands may have other measurements.

The wrapper likely will also show that the stick is 4 ounces, or 1/4 pound.

too soft butter

Most American recipes will call for butter in tablespoons, sticks, or cups.

Some bakers or European recipes may reference butterin grams.

The good news is that most recipes will use measurements that correspond to the markings on the butter wrapper.

Southern Living Cowboy Butter finished on a small board to serve with slices of bread

Frequently Asked Questions

One stick of butter is 1/2 cup.

Double check the butter’s wrapper for the weight in ounces.

A 4 oz.stick is 1/2 cup; an 8 oz.

butter, lard, shortening

block is 1 cup.

Absolutely you canfreeze butter.

Use them as you would in any other recipe.

butter stick cut in slices

sticks of butter

butter

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butter sticks on cutting board

Butter Bell The Original Butter Bell crock by L Tremain sitting on counter top with flowers and lettuce

Land O’Lakes Butter

Southern Living Cheddar Butter in a bowl to serve