🥛 Dairy

Vegan Butter for Baking: Best Substitutes

Discover the best vegan butter substitutes specifically for baking. Learn which options work best for cookies, cakes, pastries, and other baked goods with proper ratios and techniques.

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Quick Answer

The best vegan butter substitutes for baking are Earth Balance baking sticks, Miyoko's Creamery, and solid coconut oil. Use 1:1 ratio and keep them cold for best results in cookies, cakes, and pastries.

Best Substitutes

Earth Balance Baking Sticks

1:1

Earth Balance baking sticks are specifically formulated for baking applications. They have the same fat content and melting properties as dairy butter, making them ideal for all types of baking.

Best for:

cookiescakespastriespie crustsbiscuitsmuffinsall baking applications

Keep cold and use just like dairy butter. Works perfectly in creaming methods, pastry making, and any recipe requiring solid fat. Available in both salted and unsalted varieties.

Miyoko's Creamery European Style Cultured Vegan Butter

1:1

Miyoko's premium vegan butter offers superior taste and texture for baking. It's cultured like traditional European butter, providing rich flavor and excellent performance in baked goods.

Best for:

cakescookiespastrieswhen you want premium qualityEuropean-style bakingsophisticated desserts

More expensive but offers exceptional results. The cultured flavor adds depth to baked goods. Works particularly well in butter-heavy recipes like shortbread and croissants.

Solid Coconut Oil (Refined)

1:1

Refined coconut oil in solid form works excellently as a vegan butter substitute in baking. It provides the same fat content and melting properties needed for proper baked goods structure.

Best for:

cookiescakesmuffinswhen you want simple optiontropical-flavored baked goodsbudget-friendly baking

Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor. Keep cold and work quickly when making pastry. May add subtle coconut flavor to baked goods, which works well in many recipes.

Country Crock Plant Butter (Stick Form)

1:1

Country Crock's plant butter in stick form is designed for baking applications. It's widely available and affordable, making it a good option for everyday baking needs.

Best for:

cookiescakesmuffinsgeneral bakingwhen you want widely available optionbudget-conscious baking

Good for most baking applications. May not perform as well in very delicate pastries compared to specialty vegan butter brands, but works well for most home baking.

Homemade Vegan Butter Blend

1:1

A homemade blend of refined coconut oil, plant milk, and salt creates a customizable vegan butter substitute perfect for baking. You control all ingredients and can adjust the flavor profile.

Best for:

cookiescakeswhen you want control over ingredientscustomizable bakingavoiding processed ingredients

Blend 1 cup refined coconut oil with 2-3 tablespoons plant milk and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Store in refrigerator and use cold. Can be customized with different plant milks for varying flavors.

Violife Plant Butter

1:1

Violife's palm oil-free vegan butter works well in baking applications. It's made from coconut and sunflower oils, providing good performance while being environmentally conscious.

Best for:

cookiescakesmuffinswhen you want palm oil-freeenvironmentally conscious bakinggeneral baking

Palm oil-free option that performs well in most baking applications. Has slightly different texture than traditional vegan butters but works well in cookies and cakes.

Melted Coconut Oil

3/4:1

Melted coconut oil can substitute for melted butter in many baking recipes. It works particularly well in recipes that call for liquid fat or melted butter.

Best for:

muffinsquick breadscakeswhen recipe calls for melted butteroil-based recipes

Use 3/4 cup melted coconut oil for every 1 cup melted butter. Works best in recipes that don't require creaming or where the fat is already melted.

Applesauce + Oil Blend

1/2 applesauce + 1/2 oil:1

A combination of applesauce and oil can replace butter in some baking applications, particularly in muffins and quick breads where you want to reduce fat content.

Best for:

muffinsquick breadswhen you want lower fathealthy bakingsome cakes

Use 1/2 cup applesauce and 1/2 cup oil for every 1 cup butter. This combination provides moisture and fat while reducing overall fat content. May make baked goods more dense.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For cookies, use cold vegan butter and cream it with sugar just like dairy butter for proper texture
  • 💡When making pie crust, keep vegan butter very cold and work quickly to maintain flakiness
  • 💡For cakes, let vegan butter come to room temperature before creaming for best results
  • 💡In pastry making, use solid vegan butter and handle minimally to prevent melting
  • 💡For biscuits and scones, use cold vegan butter and cut it in quickly for flaky layers
  • 💡When making croissants or laminated dough, use a high-quality vegan butter like Miyoko's
  • 💡For muffins and quick breads, melted vegan butter or coconut oil work well
  • 💡In cookie recipes, the type of vegan butter affects spread - solid butter makes thicker cookies, melted makes thinner ones

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best vegan butter substitute for baking cookies?

For cookies, use Earth Balance baking sticks or Miyoko's Creamery. Keep them cold and cream with sugar just like dairy butter. These provide the right fat content and melting properties for proper cookie texture.

Can I substitute vegan butter for butter in cake recipes?

Yes, most vegan butters work well in cake recipes. Use a 1:1 ratio and let the vegan butter come to room temperature before creaming. Earth Balance and Miyoko's work particularly well for cakes.

How do I substitute vegan butter in pastry recipes?

For pastry, use solid vegan butter and keep it very cold. Work quickly to prevent melting. Earth Balance baking sticks or Miyoko's work best for flaky pastry results.

Can I use coconut oil instead of vegan butter in baking?

Yes, solid coconut oil works well as a vegan butter substitute in baking. Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor and keep it cold for best results. It works particularly well in cookies and cakes.

What's the difference between vegan butter sticks and spreadable vegan butter for baking?

Vegan butter sticks have higher fat content and work better for baking, especially in recipes requiring creaming or solid fat. Spreadable vegan butter has more water and may not perform as well in delicate baking applications.

Can I substitute vegan butter for butter in bread recipes?

Yes, vegan butter works well in bread recipes. Use 1:1 ratio and let it come to room temperature before mixing. It adds richness and helps with browning, just like dairy butter.

What's the best vegan butter for making pie crust?

For pie crust, use cold Earth Balance baking sticks or Miyoko's Creamery. Keep the butter very cold and work quickly to maintain flakiness. The high fat content is crucial for proper pastry texture.

Can I use melted vegan butter in baking recipes?

Yes, melted vegan butter works well in recipes that call for melted butter, such as muffins, quick breads, and some cake recipes. Use 1:1 ratio and let it cool slightly before adding to other ingredients.

Summary

Find the best vegan butter substitutes for baking cookies, cakes, and pastries. Learn about Earth Balance, Miyoko's, and coconut oil options with proper ratios and techniques for perfect dairy-free baked goods.