3 Best Butter Bells

Butter bells, I discovered, may be the answer—at least to the second predicament. Also called butter crocks or butter keepers, these cute little covered pots use a layer of water to keep butter soft and ready for the most delicate toast (e.g., lightly toasted challah). 

We evaluated six butter bells, including those from Crate & Barrel, Emile Henry, and Le Creuset, to see which ones are the easiest to use, the nicest to look at, and the best at keeping butter at the perfect consistency.