Butter extract is an ingredient used in cooking, especially baking, for its flavor. Butter extract is made from butter and can be found in most grocery stores. If you need a butter extract substitute then read on to find out what you can use in any situation.
Butter extract is made by extracting water from butter. It does not contain animal products but has milk protein, so it isn’t vegan-friendly. It is lactose-friendly as it does not have any lactose present in butter.
It is used to imitate the flavor of butter and give pastries and cookies a buttery taste. It is often added to icing to give it a more buttery feel.
In this article, we explore several suitable alternatives that you can use as substitutions for butter extract. Read on to find out what will work best for you!
Substitutes For Butter Extract
1. Butter
Butter is the best substitute for butter extract. The purpose of butter extract is to imitate the taste of actual butter, so why not use the real thing. Butter is the solid fat content made from churning cream. Butter is essentially great in flavoring cakes and custards because of the richness and tenderness it brings to the baked goods. Salted butter is the way to go if you’re looking for more flavor.
Substituting butter extract for butter is an excellent decision if butter extract is unavailable. It tastes similar and maybe even better. But bear in mind that butter has lactose, unlike butter extract.
It also contains dairy, so you may want to use vegan butter or other vegan alternatives to achieve the same results. Butter has a higher fat content, so it may increase your recipe’s fat and oil content. Using this alternative can alter the consistency of your dish, so you may want to use less than more.
2. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is made from percolating vanilla pods in a solution of ethanol and water. It is an essential ingredient in flavoring desserts such as cakes, brownies, and puddings. It has a deep, complex flavor that makes dessert taste amazing when used.
You can substitute butter extract for vanilla extract if you’re particular about flavoring. Vanilla extract adds a new dimension to your baked goods regarding taste. However, it doesn’t give that buttery flavor that butter extract possesses.
You also won’t have to worry about texture as vanilla extract won’t interfere with the consistency of your recipe. So you can use it in the same amount as you would butter extract.
3. Almond Butter
Almond butter is essentially nut butter gotten from grinding raw or roasted almonds. It is more similar to peanut butter than regular butter, made from churning cream/milk. It comes in different forms.
It could be crunchy with a nutty feel to it or smooth. Or it could be stirred, making it less susceptible to oil separation or no-stir (emulsified). Almond butter can also be raw or roasted, referring to the state of the nuts before grinding.
Almond butter is a healthier substitute for butter extract for desserts such as cakes, cookies, and brownies. It has a high concentration of nutrients such as fiber, healthy fats, copper, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E. Its high-fat content makes it an excellent substitute for butter extract as it adds structure to baked goods with its smooth and buttery texture.
You may experience a difference in taste due to its peculiar nutty flavor. Still, it is a vegan baker’s best friend. It is free from dairy and lactose, a great vegan substitute. But people with nut allergies may not be able to eat it. You should also consider its high fat and oil content and reduce the other oil content in the recipe.
4. Apple Sauce
As its name implies, Apple sauce is a sauce made from apples. Apple sauces can be made from different types of apples based on preference for sweetness or tartness. It is widely consumed as a side dish in North America and Europe. It is used in some baked goods recipes as a substitute for fat.
Apple sauce is a substitute for butter extract as it reduces the oil and fat content in baking recipes. It adds moisture and sweet flavor to your baking while reducing fat content. It is one of the best substitutes because there are dietary restrictions to this alternative.
It’s dairy-free, vegan, oil-free, and nut-free. Although it has an excellent soft influence on the consistency of your recipe, it may not have that buttery feel because of its typical grainy texture. You may want to use more apple sauce than butter extract because of its subtle flavoring.
5. Greek Yoghurt
Greek yogurt is yogurt that has been strained, removing most of its whey, resulting in a thicker consistency than regular yogurt. It still maintains its distinctive sourness. It can be eaten by itself or used in cooking. It features in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines. Bakers use Greek yogurt as a secret weapon of deliciousness when making desserts such as cakes.
Greek yogurt is an excellent alternative for butter extract. It adds a level of moisture while reducing the recipe’s fat content. Using greek yogurt makes your baked goods denser and richer. Flavor-wise, it isn’t as sweet or buttery as butter extract.
Still, the tanginess of Greek yogurt adds depth and beautifully offsets the sweetness of most bakes. It doesn’t have as much lactose as regular yogurt, fat- and sugar-free, so it is a healthy alternative. It is oil-free and reduces the oil content in recipes. You can substitute butter extract for Greek yogurt in the same proportions.
Conclusion
The alternatives for butter extract we’ve highlighted in this article will be a game-changer in your recipes. You can try them out if you’re looking for more vegan options or have run out of butter extract in your pantry.