How to Make an Orthodox Pascha Butter Cross & Handmade Butter Mold
Create this lovely butter cross in a handmade mold to add to your traditional Pascha basket!
Equipment
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Foil
- Packing tape
- Jewelry wire
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter Homemade or storebought. Room temperature so it is soft.
Instructions
- Draw or pint an Orthodox cross in your desired size on a piece of paper in pencil to create your template. I free-handed mine. Optional: Trace over the final lines with a permanent marker to help you cut in the proper places.
- Cut out your paper template. Number all the sides. (You will have 1- 28 when you are done!)
- Use your template to get the proper lengths as you cut small pieces of cardboard the size of the sides. The height is up to you! The height determines how thick your butter cross will be.
- Label each piece of cardboard with the corresponding number on your template.
- Tape each piece together in order.
- Use wire around the outside of the cardboard pieces to help shape your cross.
- Wrap tin foil around the cardboard. Be sure it is wrapped tightly so no butter ends up on your cardboard! Do more than 1 layer. 2-3 at most!
- Wrap a piece of cardboard in tin foil that your cross can rest on.
- Tape the sides to the base on the outside of the foil-covered cross.
- Fill your mold with your smooth warm butter! Pack it tight!!
- Smooth the top with the back of a spoon or a butter knife.
- Place in the freezer overnight.
- Using a butter knife, gently remove your butter cross from the mold. Optional: warm the knife by dipping it in warm water. Work slowly and carefully!
- Using your slightly warmed knife, smooth the top and the sides.
- Your cross is all ready! If you are adding it to a Pascha basket, wrap it in plastic wrap or store it in a glass food storage container so it can be seen. If you are placing it on a table, display however you like such as on a wooden cutting board. Enjoy!