In the world of baking, there is no ingredient that comes with as much baggage as butter. Even something as wholesome as butter comes with a long list of cons and almost no pros. The high fat content in butter makes it prone to go rancid easily, which is why even home bakers often think twice before using it in their baking. The saturated fats present in butter also make it a negative option for people suffering from heart conditions or are trying to stay away from animal fats. However, if you are a lover of baked goods, you know how important a role butter plays in perfecting your favorite treats. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide on how you can reduce the amount of butter when baking while still achieving that delicious flavor and texture without compromising on taste and quality.
What happens when you bake with butter?
Butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream. The major fat content in butter is made up of saturated fats, which are also the main cause of high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular diseases. Butter is also a source of Vitamin A and Vitamin D. When you bake with butter, it melts and forms an oily layer on the surface of the baking item. This layer is what gives the baked item that beautiful golden crust and perfect texture. Butter also brings in a rich, creamy flavor that is what makes many baked items taste so delicious. So when you reduce the amount of butter in your baking, you need to find ways to replace that flavor and texture.
How to reduce butter in baking?
When you are baking with reduced amounts of butter, you need to compensate for flavor and texture. Here are a few tips to help you cut down on the amount of butter in your baking:
Use more eggs and egg yolks
One of the best ways to reduce butter in baking is using more eggs. The proteins present in eggs help to form a crust that is golden and crispy, similar to what happens when you use butter. Additionally, eggs also bring in a creamy flavor that is a perfect substitute for butter. One thing to keep in mind, though, is the amount of eggs you use. Too many eggs will make the baked item taste too eggy, and that is definitely not what you want!
Use more oil
Baking with more oil can be a good way of reducing the amount of butter in your baking. However, it is important to note that baking with oil will give a very different taste to your baked item than baking with butter does. If you want to reduce the amount of butter in your recipes, but still keep their amazing taste, using other ingredients is a good way to go. An example is to add mashed avocado to your muffins. This will add some richness and creaminess to your muffins without making them taste too buttery.
Use more cake flour and all-purpose flour
Baking with more flour instead of butter can reduce the amount of butter in your baking. This, however, will change the texture of the baked item. So, you have to carefully choose what other ingredients you can use with the flour to make up for the texture lost due to reduced butter.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to reduce butter when baking. Although the idea of baking with less butter might sound a little scary, these tips will help you achieve the perfect baked goods with less butter than normal. Butter is a fantastic ingredient that can contribute greatly to your baking. However, you also have to be careful about how much butter you use if you want to cut calories and fat from your diet. With these tips, you can reduce the amount of butter in your baking without compromising on taste and quality. So, what are you waiting for? Get baking!