How long is too long to let butter soften?

I let it soften to kind of a soft plastic consistency.

if it has started to melt, it's been too long. i usually let mine sit until i can smoosh it with a spoon with little pressure.

18 seconds in a microwave!

If you really, really wish you would have put the butter on a plate instead of directly on your workbench and where the h*ll are the paper towels???....you've softened it too long.

Ask me how I know.

In culinary terms, if you are creaming butter, room temp means about 65°. At 65°, butter still has a chill to it. A stick should be just bendable, but still firm. if it's mushy or soft, it's too warm to cream properly.

If I haven't had time to let it sit out, I roll it between two sheets of wax paper and then scrap it out. Messy, wasteful, but the consistency is really good.

My DH thinks I'm nuts. lol