If you've ever decided to bake a batch of cookies at the last minute, you know that bringing a stick or two of butter to room temperature safely and quickly is important—but it's also tricky business.

We’ve all been here. You decide on a whim that now is the moment to bake a batch of thick chocolate chip cookies or a toasty almond snack cake, but woof—you really should have taken a stick of butter ...

We’ve all been there. A craving for chocolate chip cookies strikes, you’re reminded about the school bake sale that’s tomorrow (tomorrow?!), or you suddenly realize you were supposed to bring a pound ...