8 Best Butter Extract Alternatives

Butter extract is a dairy product made from milk proteins. It mimics the rich taste of butter without adding any additional greasiness or calories to your food. While butter extract is not vegan, it is acceptable for lactose intolerant people.

It is often used in baking recipes including as cupcakes, cookies, and brownies. Butter extract may be used in both sweet and savory recipes. If you can’t get butter extract, a substitute may come in helpful.

As butter extract replacements, you may use olive oil, genuine butter, canola oil, almond extract, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, greek yogurt, applesauce, or almond butter. They all provide comparable outcomes and flavors.

What Is Butter Extract Made Of?

Since butter extract is obtained from actual butter, it tastes very much like real butter. To be classified as an extract, butter must contain at least 35% alcohol by volume and be free of any resins, compounds, or alcohol-soluble volatile oils.

Depending on the brand, they include a variety of substances, but the most significant elements of butter extract are water, alcohol, natural flavor, and butter extractives (milk).

Pure butter extract is also available in non-dairy, sugar-free, and gluten-free varieties. If butter extract is not accessible, here are some alternatives:

Best Butter Extract Substitutes

1. Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract, one of the greatest butter extract replacements, is made by soaking vanilla beans in a mixture of water and alcohol. Many may be unable to discern the difference since it tastes so close to butter extract.

Vanilla extract is the closest butter extract equivalent; it is the ideal option to use when you run out of butter extract.

Vanilla essence may be used in a variety of sweet foods, including cakes, custards, and puddings. But, bear in mind that vanilla extract has a stronger taste than pure butter extract.

As a result, you must be careful with the amount of vanilla essence you use in your baked products so that the taste does not overshadow the dish.

Vanilla extract should include at least 35 percent methanol and 100 grams of vanilla beans per liter of water.

This adds the necessary depth of flavor to your desserts. The more concentrated your vanilla extract, the less you need to add to a recipe to get the required flavor.

2. Almond Extract

Because of their bitter flavor, almonds are not everyone’s favorite, yet almond extract is gentle and delicate. This extract has a pure nutty taste that compliments a wide range of other components, including coffee, cherry, chocolate, and a variety of baking recipes.

This butter extract alternative may also be used to sweeten up cakes, toppings, fillings, and salad dressings.

Almond extract is available at supermarket stores such as Walmart and Whole Foods in the baking or flavoring areas.

Also read: Butter Flavoring vs. Butter Extract

3. Real Butter

Using genuine butter is the best method to add a buttery taste into your meals. Butter is used in a variety of western recipes, giving them a distinctly rich and creamy flavor.

Real butter may also be used to substitute other fat-soluble ingredients in recipes. For an even stronger taste, add vanilla essence to genuine butter; this infuses the butter with the whole flavor, which is then imparted to the dish.

Both salted and unsalted butter are widely accessible in supermarkets and grocery shops, but you must choose unsalted butter to have complete control over how much salt you add to your recipes.

4. Olive Oil

Since olive oil contains fat, it is a good substitute for butter extract. To give your dish a deep, pleasant, and tempting taste, add a few drops of olive oil. Olive oil complements sweet meals well, such as brownies, pies, and cornmeal cakes.

Since olive oil has a stronger taste than butter extract, you only need a little amount in your meal. Thus, if a recipe asks for 4 teaspoons of butter essence, use 3 teaspoons of olive oil instead.

When baking with this butter extract alternative, use extra virgin olive oil rather than refined olive oil. They increase the flavor of your baked products, but utilize extra virgin olive oil, which has the distinct and refined taste and scent of olives.

Olive oil, when unprocessed, is considered to offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, as well as essential minerals.

5. Canola Oil

Another butter extract alternative that works well in baking recipes. Canola oil is derived from a kind of rapeseed and lacks the flavor of butter extract. Its mild, neutral taste, on the other hand, combines nicely with other ingredients and does not stand out as the dominant flavor.

Canola oil enhances the tastes of other gourmet foods such as organic milk and dark chocolate.

Canola oil has a low saturated fat level when compared to other vegetable oils, making it a popular option among health-conscious people. Canola oil, on the other hand, is not suggested for custards since it would destroy the consistency of the custard.

6. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt has a distinct creamy flavor that makes it an excellent alternative for butter extract. It works well in both sweet and savory dishes, making it one of the most versatile substitutes.

Casein, a milk protein found in greek yogurt, assists in moisture retention while producing sweet foods. It helps to thicken muffin batter, moisten bun dough, and keep banana bread moist and soft.

Plain Greek yogurt is a healthy alternative to butter extract; it has a long number of health advantages; greek yogurt is fat-free, sugar-free, and rich in protein and probiotics, which are very good to your digestive and immunological systems.

7. Almond Butter

Almond butter may be used to substitute butter extract in baked products; it adds richness and moisture to recipes. Since it is dairy-free, almond butter has grown in popularity in plant-based cookery in recent years.

It’s a terrific alternative for butter extract, but it gives your baked products a distinct taste. Nonetheless, almond butter will provide good outcomes and help keep your cakes and cupcakes moist.

It is not suggested, however, to use almond butter in custard since it, like canola and olive oil, can destroy the consistency.

8. Applesauce

Applesauce is another component that not only works as a replacement for butter extract but can also be used in lieu of eggs in baking since it provides richness and moistness to cakes, brownies, and other baked goods.

It’s a healthier alternative to butter extract; it flavored and texturizes cakes without the use of butter or butter extract. When you use applesauce, the taste will be somewhat different, but your baked dish will still be moist and tasty.

Can You Use Melted Butter Instead Of Butter Extract?

Sure, you can use melted butter instead of butter essence; you won’t get the precise taste, but it will keep your baked items moist.

Substitute the butter essence with around half a stick of melted butter; if you want a stronger taste, add a bit at a time to avoid changing the consistency of the dish.