Butter is a staple ingredient found in most kitchens and is used for baking, cooking, and spreading. Many recipes call for butter in stick form, but require the measurement in tablespoons (TBS). Knowing how to convert sticks of butter into tablespoons is helpful for accurate measuring.
Quick Answer
2 sticks of butter is equivalent to 32 tablespoons (TBS). Each stick of butter contains 8 tablespoons or 1/2 cup. So 2 sticks contains 16 tablespoons per stick, for a total of 32 tablespoons.
Sticks and Tablespoons Butter Conversion
Here is a breakdown of how many tablespoons are in different amounts of stick butter:
| Sticks of Butter | Tablespoons (TBS) |
|---|---|
| 1 stick | 8 TBS |
| 2 sticks | 16 TBS |
| 3 sticks | 24 TBS |
| 4 sticks (1 lb) | 32 TBS |
As you can see, each individual stick of butter contains 8 tablespoons. So 2 sticks will be 16 tablespoons x 2 sticks = 32 tablespoons total.
Why Sticks Contain a Set Amount
Butter sticks contain a standardized amount of butter per stick. Each stick is designed to contain 1/4 pound or 8 tablespoons of butter. This makes measuring butter easier when baking and cooking.
In the United States, a standard stick of butter weighs 4 ounces (113g) and contains 8 tablespoons or 1/2 cup. Two sticks of butter weigh 8 ounces and contain 16 tablespoons or 1 cup.
Butter Sticks Around the World
While butter sticks contain a standard 8 tablespoons of butter in the United States, stick sizes vary around the world:
- United States – 4 ounces per stick (8 TBS)
- Canada – 4 ounces per stick (8 TBS)
- United Kingdom – 4 ounces per stick (8 TBS)
- Australia – 5.25 ounces per stick (10 TBS)
- New Zealand – 5 ounces per stick (10 TBS)
So if a recipe from the UK calls for a stick of butter, you can substitute an American stick of butter since they contain the same amount. But for recipes from Australia and New Zealand, you may need to adjust the butter amount when using American butter sticks.
Converting Butter Sticks to Grams
When working with European recipes or weighing ingredients with a kitchen scale, it can be helpful to know the gram weight of butter sticks:
- 1 stick butter = 113 grams
- 2 sticks butter = 226 grams
- 3 sticks butter = 339 grams
- 4 sticks butter = 454 grams
Knowing the gram equivalent can help when you need to substitute the exact weight of butter called for in foreign recipes. So 250g of butter needed for a French recipe would be roughly 2 sticks plus 1 tablespoon of butter.
Why Accuracy Matters
Being accurate when measuring butter is important for achieving the right consistency, texture, and flavor in baked goods and other recipes. Too little butter can make baked goods dry or crumbly. Too much can lead to spreading issues and overly rich flavor.
When creaming butter and sugar for cakes and cookies, the precise ratio of butter to other ingredients like flour and eggs impacts the end result. So always measuring out the right stick-to-tablespoon butter conversion is recommended.
Tips for Measuring Butter
Follow these tips for accurately measuring butter from sticks:
- Use marked butter sticks – Mark measurements on wrapper or trim end for easy cutting to the size needed.
- Cut cold butter – Right out of the fridge for clean cuts.
- Level off tablespoons – Use a knife to level butter and remove excess.
- Pack tightly – When measuring tablespoons, tightly pack butter into the spoon.
- Use proper tools – Use straight edged butter knives or bench scrapers.
- Verify conversions – Double check butter equivalents like 1 stick = 8 tablespoons.
- Measure in recipes – Don’t substitute by appearance, actually measure out tablespoons or cups.
Stick Butter Alternatives
While convenient, stick butter does contain a few drawbacks. Once opened, it can go rancid faster than tub butter. Sticks are also difficult to portion out for recipes needing small amounts of butter.
Alternatives to sticks include:
- Tub butter – Easier to portion out tablespoons. lasts longer once opened.
- Whipped butter – Softer than sticks for spreading on bread.
- Powdered butter – Measure tablespoons without the hassle of cutting butter sticks.
- Clarified butter – Butterfat without the milk solids, suitable for high heat.
- Ghee – Clarified butter giving a nutty flavor.
Be aware the tablespoon measurements may vary slightly between stick butter and tub butter due to density differences. Check packaging for specifics.
Butter Conversion Chart
Refer to this quick butter conversion chart for easy reference:
| Butter Amount | Tablespoons | Grams |
|---|---|---|
| 1 stick | 8 TBS | 113g |
| 2 sticks | 16 TBS | 226g |
| 3 sticks | 24 TBS | 339g |
| 4 sticks (1 lb) | 32 TBS | 454g |
Recipes Using 2 Sticks of Butter
To give you a sense of how much butter is in 2 sticks, here are some example recipes that call for this amount:
- Snickerdoodles – This popular cookie requires creaming 1 cup butter (2 sticks) with other ingredients.
- Cheesecake – For a rich creamy texture, most cheesecake recipes use 24-32 tablespoons of butter in the crust.
- Croissants – Authentic French croissants are made with up to 2 sticks of butter to create their signature flaky layers.
- Pound Cake – Traditional pound cake uses 1 pound each of butter, flour, eggs, and sugar resulting in 2 sticks of butter needed.
- Pie Crust – Basic pie crust for a 2 crust pie requires about 2 sticks of cold butter cut into flour.
So 2 sticks of butter is well used across baking recipes for cookies, pastries, cakes, crusts, and more. When preparing any of these, remembering that 2 sticks = 32 tablespoons will help you measure precisely.
Storing Butter from Sticks
Here are some tips for storing butter once opened:
- Keep refrigerated – Butter needs to be kept cold, so refrigerate sticks after use.
- Seal tightly – Wrap tightly in original foil or plastic wrap to minimize air exposure.
- Use quickly – For best freshness, use opened sticks of butter within a month.
- Watch for signs – Discard if butter has off smell, watery appearance, or mold.
- Freeze for longer term – For storage up to 9 months, freeze unused butter sticks.
With proper refrigeration, butter sticks can maintain quality for baking and cooking for weeks after opening. Date the package to track refrigerator life. Once frozen, butter can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before use.
Cooking Substitutions for Butter
In some cases, butter can be substituted in recipes with alternatives:
- Oil – Can replace butter in baking for a slightly different texture. Use 3/4 the amount of oil.
- Applesauce – Substitute half the butter with unsweetened applesauce in baking recipes.
- Yogurt – Plain yogurt can substitute butter in equal amounts.
- Cream Cheese – Provides moisture and richness similar to butter in baked goods.
- Mashed Bananas – Can replace butter in ratios of 1 tablespoon per 1/4 cup banana.
When substituting, keep in mind alternatives may give slightly different flavors and textures compared to butter. Some trial and error adjustment to recipes may be needed.
Nutrition Facts for Butter
Butter is high in fat, but also contains some nutritional components. Here are the nutrition facts for 2 sticks (16 tablespoons) of salted butter:
- Calories: 1440
- Fat: 160g
- Saturated Fat: 102g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 256mg
- Sodium: 784mg
- Protein: 2g
- Vitamin A: 1095mcg
As you can see, butter is extremely high in saturated fat. However, it provides some vitamin A. When consumed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet, butter can have a place in cooking.
Making Flavored Butters
Plain butter gets an extra kick of flavor when mixed with ingredients like herbs, honey, spices, and citrus zest. To make flavored butter at home:
- Allow 1-2 sticks of butter to soften to room temperature.
- Add flavoring ingredients like minced garlic, lemon zest, cinnamon, etc.
- Mix until thoroughly combined then transfer to serving dish or roll into log shape.
- Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
- Slice off portions as needed for cooking, baking, and spreading.
Get creative with mixing in any flavors that complement the type of dish you are making. Flavored butters add delicious new tastes.
Is Butter Unhealthy?
Butter has gotten a bad reputation for being unhealthy due to its high levels of saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to 13 grams daily.
2 sticks of butter contain over 100 grams saturated fat. So eating large amounts of straight butter is not recommended. However, moderate butter intake as part of an overall balanced diet should not significantly increase health risks for most people.
When consumed in small servings, butter can positively contribute flavor, texture, and some nutritive value. As with any food, practicing moderation and variety is key for supporting health.
Vegan Butter Alternatives
For those avoiding dairy, there are several vegan butter options made from plant oils. These provide a similar taste and texture as butter without the animal sources:
- Coconut oil spreads – Made from fractionated coconut oil, rich in MCTs.
- Nut butter spreads – Made from nuts like cashews, almonds, and macadamia nuts.
- Vegetable oil spreads – Use a blend of canola, olive, avocado oils.
- Yeast spreads – Fermented yeast gives a cheesy, buttery flavor.
- Soybean spreads – Made from a fermented soybean base.
When swapping regular butter for vegan butter, you may need to adjust baking times and temperatures slightly in recipes. Check packaging instructions for the best substitution guidelines.
Bottom Line
So for a quick recap – 2 sticks of butter contain 32 tablespoons total. Each stick of butter equals 8 tablespoons. Knowing this basic conversion allows you to measure butter accurately for recipes that call for stick amounts.
Properly measuring butter ensures your baked treats and dishes turn out with the perfect buttery taste and texture every time. Now that you know how many tablespoons are in 2 sticks of butter, you can confidently use this versatile ingredient in all of your cooking and baking endeavors!
