Butter is an essential ingredient while baking. From cookies to muffins, it offers moisture to the recipes so that when you bake ingredients for 30-40 minutes or even more, they don’t come out as hard as a brick. The milk-based products also maintain a bounce and offer richness to any dessert.
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However, if you don’t have butter at home, you can still bake your favourite dessert. This will not only nudge you to experiment but also help you explore healthier ingredients to swap it. This is a short guide for home bakers to take their culinary skills up a notch without spending a hefty amount in a pastry school.
Use Applesauce
Not many bakers, even the experts, know that an unsweetened jar of applesauce is an excellent replacement for butter. If you were using a cup of butter before, add the same amount of fruit sauce to the recipe. It is perfect if you are baking muffins, cakes, and brownies. The applesauce will add density and amplify the texture while cutting down the number of calories. If you are using sweetened apple sauce, modify the amount of sugar.
Bananas
Bananas can replace butter in your dessert recipes. If your pantry has run out of butter but is also witnessing bananas going bad, mash them and add to the flour mixture in the quantity of butter. It is an ideal replacement if you are baking bread, cakes, and muffins. Bananas add natural sweetness and distinct flavour to the dish.
Buttermilk
From the family of butter comes buttermilk. It is prepared by mixing curd with water. A three-quarter cup of buttermilk for every cup of butter will give you the same results but with added tanginess and moisture. You can use it while making cakes, pancakes, and muffins. It will also dissolve sugar faster.
Also Read: 10 Tempting Desserts Around the Globe
Vegetable Oil
You can replace butter with coconut oil, olive oil, or any other vegetable oil. A three-quarter cup of these oils can replace butter without anyone noticing. Oil will also enhance the tenderness of baked goodies like muffins, bread, and cakes. Do not use oils with a robust palate. Their taste must be subtle or nutty.
Nut Butter
From almond to peanut butter, you can replace milk-based butter with vegan substitutes. They will add nutty flavour, richness, and texture to cakes, cookies, and brownies. Not to mention nut butter is healthier than milk-based butter. Using almond or peanut butter will also ensure a glossy finish to the baked good.
Greek Yoghurt
You can either replace butter with an equal amount of Greek yoghurt or hung curd. It will add fluffiness to the baked delicacies like cakes and muffins. The creaminess with a hint of tang will make this new creation everyone’s favourite. With yoghurt, you won’t have to worry about the moisture or calorie count.
Pumpkin Puree
If you have a large pumpkin in your refrigerator, you should use it to prepare baked goods. It will add a robust flavour to the dessert along with enhancing its taste and texture. It is a perfect pick for a baking session during autumn. Pumpkin-based baked goods will help you match the themes of brunches, lunches, and dinners at home.
Apart from the aforementioned ingredients, butter can also be replaced by silken tofu, avocado, and coconut cream. While experimenting with substitutes, you can also play with flavours of whole spices, vanilla, and more.