Best Butter Replacement In Baking - 12 Vegan And Non-Vegan Butter Substitutes
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Time to read: 9 min
When it comes to baking, butter is often the star ingredient that brings everything together. But what happens when you’re out of it? Or trying to cut back on dairy or saturated fat?
Don’t panic - your cakes, muffins, and cookies don’t have to suffer. There are so many butter substitutes that not only get the job done but can even add unique texture and flavor to your favorite recipes.
So if you’re just trying out a new recipe or bake all the time, you'll find the best butter replacements for baking right here to keep your treats just as tasty without missing a beat. And the best part, some of these substitutes work magically as spreads and dressings, too.
Table of content
Why Replace Butter In Baking? Best Substitutes for Butter in Baking 1. Detox Desserts Butter Swap 2. Margarine 3. Cream Cheese 4. Mayonnaise 5. Greek Yogurt Vegan Substitutes for Butter in Baking 6. Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil 7. Mashed Bananas Our Full Lineup of Baking substitutes 8. Nut Butter 9. Avocado and Avocado Oil 10. Applesauce 11. Coconut oil substitute for butter 12. Pumpkin Puree How To Choose The Best Butter Substitute For Baking Conclusion Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does Butter Matter in Baking?
You may have noticed most baking recipes say butter is a must-have ingredient. From cakes and cookies to breads and beyond, expert bakers never skip it in their recipes. So, what’s the secret behind its popularity?
Butter has a rich profile, and that’s what gives bakes their richness, texture, and tenderness. It works as a leavening agent, trapping air to make your cakes and muffins light and fluffy. Butter absorbs and enhances flavors of all the batter ingredients to create an even, well-rounded flavor. In short, it’s what creates the flakiness of crusts & pastries, the tenderness of cakes & muffins, and the creaminess of fillings & frostings.
But again, it’s not for everyone. Whatever your reason is to replace butter, there are plenty of substitutes that will give your baked goods the same rich taste and texture as this high-fat, dairy-loaded, animal-based ingredient.
What Can I Substitute For Butter In Baking
The world is full of unique and delicious ingredients that work as smooth as butter in baking. Although you don’t know it, you might even have some already in your pantry.
What will best suit your needs depends on several factors like taste, texture, and health aspects. It's also directly linked to your reason for substituting butter in the first place.
Why Replace Butter In Baking?
Dairy Allergy: People who are sensitive to dairy may experience digestive disturbances with butter. Milk protein is the primary reason for dairy allergies. Plant-based butter may work as the best substitute for such individuals.
Lactose Intolerance: Lactose is the sugar component in milk and intolerance is a common concern around the world. People suffering from it may face issues with butter. Lactose-free milk or butter substitutes can be their easy solution.
Health Aspects: Animal-based butter has high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, which can raise ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL) in the body. Elevated LDL’s can cause plaque to form in your blood vessels leading to cardiovascular disease. Using a healthy substitute for butter can go a long way toward lifestyle improvement and guilt-free indulgence.
Vegan Lifestyle: Many individuals choose to avoid dairy (butter) and other animal products for various ethical, environmental, and personal reasons. These individuals can use vegan substitutes for butter to enjoy plant-based treats.
Best Substitutes for Butter in Baking
1. Detox Desserts Butter Swap
The Detox Desserts Butter Swap is the MVP of all butter substitutes that tastes, bakes, and works just like butter. It’s a physician-formulated, clinically tested product that uses blanched almonds and extra-virgin olive oil as its base.
This healthy substitute for butter in baking is 100% sugar-free, gluten-free, cholesterol-free, and completely vegan. It contains NO seed oils and is packed with 6x more protein and 2x more fiber than regular butter.
This Butter Swap is easy to use and works as a 1:1 swap for solid or melted butter. The product delivers perfect texture and consistency in cakes, cookies, sweet breads, and anything in between.
No one will ever guess the difference between buttery cookies and cookies baked with this healthy butter swap. With the DD Butter Swap, people with different dietary concerns can enjoy baking without guilt.
Swap Ratio: 1:1
2. Margarine
When it comes to butter replacement, margarine is the first thing that comes to many people's mind. Unfortunately, it’s full of trans fats and/or seed oils which can cause inflammation and heart disease.
Margarine is a cheap butter substitute that delivers consistency and flavor close to butter but carries unfortunate health consequences. It has more water content than butter and may create a moist, softer texture.
Margarine is made with highly refined vegetable oils and sometimes contains dairy or animal fats. If you are vegan or want a non-dairy butter substitute, carefully read the label to buy vegan margarine that doesn’t contain seed oils or hydrogenated oil.
Swap Ratio: 1:1
3. Cream Cheese
Whole milk cream cheese is similarly rich to butter, which is why it makes a good butter replacement in baking. However, it has a unique flavor that works best in savory dishes like cheesecakes and sugar cookies.
If you eat dairy, it’s the ultimate butter replacement for frosting.
If you can’t find cream cheese in the nearby grocery shop, go for soft cheeses like ricotta or mascarpone. Just make sure you strain them a little with cheesecloth to prevent liquidy texture.
Swap Ratio: 1:1
4. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise has a tangy flavor but has a richness and creaminess equal to butter. It can be used in equal amounts as the dairy counterpart for banana bread, chocolate cake, and other recipes that require moist, tender bites.
Although you can swap it for butter in baking if you’re in a pinch, mayo is best reserved as a spread for sandwiches or as the base for creamy dips and side dishes.
Swap Ratio: 1:1
5. Greek Yogurt
Full-fat Greek or plain yogurt can copy the same creamy taste of butter in desserts. Be advised, the finished dessert might take on a more tangy flavor and probably won't have the same texture as a dessert baked with butter.
That’s why it’s wise to use this baking substitute for butter in recipes with a citrusy twist.
Remember, yogurt can add a liquid consistency to your dough. This mostly happens when the recipe requires more than half a cup of butter. To help with this, add a little extra flour to keep the moisture levels in check.
Swap Ratio: 1:1 with extra flour as required
Vegan Substitutes for Butter in Baking
All of the butter substitutes in this section are dairy-free and plant-based. No worries if you’re not vegan; you can still use these healthy ingredients as cholesterol-free alternatives.
6. Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
Olive oil is a vegan favorite and the best butter replacement in baking muffins, cakes, and desserts that require melted butter. It gives baked goods a soft, moist texture and a mild, olive flavor.
If you want a neutral flavor with health benefits choose unrefined avocado oil instead of refined vegetable oil for the same tender bites. Though it’s not the best choice for frosting, oil works magically in baking moist muffins and tender cakes.
1:1 swap for melted butter, ¾ cup of oil for 1 cup of solid butter
7. Mashed Bananas
Using well-mashed bananas for butter has got to be one of the easiest swaps. Bananas are not only vegan but also cholesterol-free, low-calorie, and packed with nutrition.
However, they deliver a better texture when combined with a few teaspoons of olive or avocado oil. As long as you don't mind the banana flavor, they work great for desserts and can even lower the amount of sugar needed because of their natural sweetness.
Choose them to give a creamy, fruity flavor to pancakes, brownies, muffins, and other baked goods.
Swap Ratio: 1:1
Our Full Lineup of Baking Substitutes
8. Nut Butter
My vegan friends love to replace dairy-based butter with the nut ‘butter’ because it works in most recipes! Almond, cashew, and peanut butter hold a healthy fat profile with essential Omega fatty acids.
They’re as creamy, rich, and smooth as regular butter but without the dairy. The only difference is their nutty flavor, which can actually be a perk in desserts with nuts as toppings. Make sure to use unroasted almond or cashew butter for the most neutral flavor.
Swap Ratio: 1:1
9. Avocado and Avocado Oil
Go healthier by substituting mashed avocado for solid butter and avocado oil for melted butter in baking. This vegan alternative is packed with omega-3 and omega-9, providing anti-inflammatory and cholesterol reducing benefits.
Avocado’s fruity taste can alter the flavor and color of the final product. To keep the taste changes unnoticed, mashed avocado works best in chocolate dessert recipes.
Mashed avocado is also a fine substitute for butter in chocolate frosting and mousse.
Swap Ratio: 1:1
10. Applesauce
If you want a low-calorie, fat-free butter replacement in baking, applesauce is lovely choice. Its lightweight profile makes desserts light and moist. Applesauce is already sweet, so you may need to reduce the sugar in recipes when using this swap.
Choose unsweetened applesauce to make sugar-free desserts like cakes, muffins, and sweet breads. Skip it for crunchy recipes like shortbread cookies.
Swap Ratio: 1:1
11. Coconut oil substitute for butter
Coconut oil is dairy-free, cholesterol-free, healthy substitute for butter in baking and cooking. Unrefined coconut oil may add a mild "coconutty" flavor, which works especially well as a substitute for butter in chocolate chip cookies, tropical pies, carrot cakes, and other baked goods with similar flavors.
If you don’t want the taste to change, use extra refined coconut oil for a neutral flavor or choose a different butter substitute.
Swap Ratio: 1:1
12. Pumpkin Puree
Have you ever run out of butter the day before Thanksgiving? Yeah, we all do it. Well, this substitute is a saver for those last-minute oops moments. It’s perfect for fall recipes like pumpkin muffins or gingerbread, adding a natural sweetness, creamy texture, and a lovely orange hue to your baked goods.
If that’s not in the plan, it’s better to limit it to dark-colored recipes like carrot cakes and chocolate cupcakes.
Swap Ratio: 1:1
How To Choose The Best Butter Substitute For Baking
Conclusion
No butter? No problem! You can still enjoy desserts and baked goods with delicious and simple butter substitutes. Whether you’re following a specific diet, have a dairy allergy, or cutting down on cholesterol and calories, there’s a perfect substitute out there specifically for your needs.
The Detox Desserts Butter Swap is a top choice for butter replacement in baking for its rich nutrient profile and dairy-free, cholesterol-free benefits. Other substitutes work well too, depending on factors like what you’re baking, what’s accessible, and your personal taste and texture preferences. Just remember, not all replacements work as 1:1 swaps, so you must be mindful of the quantity adjustments. Pick your substitute carefully to get the desired sweetness, density, and health benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are butter substitutes important in cooking?
Healthy butter substitutes can be lifesavers for people with allergies, intolerance, or cholesterol concerns. They are important for vegans and people following a low-calorie diet. Additionally, a perfect butter replacement is necessary to keep the texture, consistency, and flavor of your dishes and desserts top-notch while keeping them soft and tender. However, choosing the right butter alternative is equally important to get the desired results.
What to cook with instead of butter?
There are many vegan and non-vegan alternatives that can work as butter substitutes for cooking. Oils are the best choice in this case. Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or vegetable oil can replace butter for baking, cooking, and sautéing. Nut butter, fruit purees, and applesauce can also work for some recipes like dips, sauces, and soups.
What is healthier than butter for baking?
Many healthier ingredients can work as a butter replacement in baking to keep your body running in tip-top condition. The best alternatives may be olive and avocado oils due to their rich nutrients and antioxidants. Ingredients like Greek yogurt and applesauce can reduce calorie and fat content compared to butter and provide additional protein or fiber, making them healthy choices.
Mashed fruits like bananas, pumpkin, and avocado are sweet and healthy substitutes that boost your body's immunity. However, some processed substitutes like margarine and refined vegetable oil may contain trans fats or additives that could be less healthy than butter. It’s essential to read labels and use these ingredients in moderation.
What happens when you substitute butter for oil in baking?
When you use oils as butter alternatives for sweet breads, cakes, and other baked goods, the results are more moist and dense. This doesn’t make a big difference in desserts like cakes or brownies, where a soft, tender texture is the goal. However, oils do not produce the same flakiness as butter in some pastries and cookies.
As vegetable oils are neutral, using them as a substitute takes away the rich, buttery taste in some desserts. Comparing their health profiles, plant-based oils like extra virgin olive oil and unrefined avocado oil typically contain less saturated fat than butter, making them more heart-healthy.
