Cream used in cooking and desserts is often refrigerated, but it hardens after refrigeration. In many cases, it can’t be used immediately without thawing it first. To help you quickly soften “hard cream,” here’s a trick you can use with just a glass!

3 Steps to Softening Cream with a Glass

Step 1: Take a plate and place the cream upright on it.

Step 2: Take a glass taller than the cream and fill it about 90% full with hot water. After 5 minutes, pour out the hot water and cover the cream with the glass.

Step 3: Wait 5 minutes and remove the glass. The cream is now completely softened! Mini buttercreams used for spreading bread can also be softened this way, but using a glass to cover the cream will reduce the time it takes.