Softened butter?

[kentc]

So many recipes call for softened butter.Websites say that is anywhere from 60F to 65F. Poke the butter with a finger to figure it out they say. Would I be going too far if I just temp it with my thermapen?

And if I do temp it, is is 60F or 65F?

 

[formalfive]

is this supposed to be a joke?