🥛 Dairy

Vegan Butter Substitute for Cookies: Complete Guide

Discover the best vegan butter substitutes specifically for making cookies. Learn which options create the perfect texture, spread, and flavor in chocolate chip, sugar, and other cookie recipes.

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Quick Answer

The best vegan butter substitutes for cookies are Earth Balance baking sticks, Miyoko's Creamery, and solid coconut oil. Use cold butter and cream with sugar for proper cookie texture and spread.

Best Substitutes

Earth Balance Baking Sticks

1:1

Earth Balance baking sticks are specifically formulated for baking and work excellently in cookie recipes. They have the same fat content and melting properties as dairy butter, ensuring proper cookie texture and spread.

Best for:

chocolate chip cookiessugar cookiesoatmeal cookiesall cookie typeswhen you want consistent resultsprofessional-quality cookies

Keep cold and cream with sugar just like dairy butter. Provides perfect texture, proper spread, and authentic cookie flavor. Available in both salted and unsalted varieties for different cookie types.

Miyoko's Creamery European Style Cultured Vegan Butter

1:1

Miyoko's premium vegan butter offers exceptional results in cookie baking. The cultured flavor adds depth and richness, while the fat content ensures proper cookie structure and texture.

Best for:

chocolate chip cookiessugar cookiesshortbread cookieswhen you want premium qualitysophisticated cookie flavorsbutter-forward cookies

More expensive but provides superior taste and texture. The cultured flavor enhances cookie taste, especially in butter-forward recipes like shortbread. Works perfectly in all creaming methods.

Solid Coconut Oil (Refined)

1:1

Refined coconut oil in solid form works well as a vegan butter substitute in cookies. It provides the necessary fat content and melting properties for proper cookie texture and structure.

Best for:

chocolate chip cookiesoatmeal cookieswhen you want simple optiontropical-flavored cookiesbudget-friendly bakingcoconut-flavored cookies

Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor. Keep cold and cream with sugar. May add subtle coconut flavor which works well in many cookie recipes. Provides good texture and spread.

Country Crock Plant Butter (Stick Form)

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Country Crock's plant butter in stick form works well for cookie baking. It's widely available and affordable, making it a good option for everyday cookie making.

Best for:

chocolate chip cookiessugar cookiesgeneral cookie bakingwhen you want widely available optionbudget-conscious bakingfamily cookie recipes

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

Homemade Vegan Butter Blend

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

Best for:

chocolate chip cookiessugar cookieswhen you want control over ingredientscustomizable cookie flavorsavoiding 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 cookie recipes. It's made from coconut and sunflower oils, providing good performance while being environmentally conscious.

Best for:

chocolate chip cookiessugar cookieswhen you want palm oil-freeenvironmentally conscious bakinggeneral cookie baking

Palm oil-free option that performs well in most cookie recipes. Has slightly different texture than traditional vegan butters but works well in most cookie types.

Melted Coconut Oil

3/4:1

Melted coconut oil can be used in cookie recipes that call for melted butter or oil. It creates a different texture but works well in certain cookie types.

Best for:

oatmeal cookiessome chocolate chip cookieswhen recipe calls for melted butteroil-based cookie recipeschewy cookies

Use 3/4 cup melted coconut oil for every 1 cup butter. Creates chewier, more cake-like cookies. 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 cookie recipes, particularly when you want to reduce fat content or create softer cookies.

Best for:

soft cookieswhen you want lower fathealthy cookie bakingsome oatmeal cookiescake-like cookies

Use 1/2 cup applesauce and 1/2 cup oil for every 1 cup butter. Creates softer, more cake-like cookies. May not work well in recipes requiring crisp texture or proper creaming.

Cooking Tips

💡For chocolate chip cookies, use cold vegan butter and cream it with sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy
💡When making sugar cookies, use solid vegan butter and work quickly to prevent melting during rolling
💡For oatmeal cookies, melted vegan butter or coconut oil work well and create chewier texture
💡In shortbread cookies, use high-quality vegan butter like Miyoko's for best flavor and texture
💡For cookie bars, melted vegan butter works well and creates even texture throughout
💡When making drop cookies, use room temperature vegan butter for easier mixing and consistent results
💡For rolled cookies, use cold vegan butter and work quickly to maintain proper texture
💡In cookie recipes, the temperature of vegan butter affects spread - cold butter makes thicker cookies, room temperature makes thinner ones

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best vegan butter substitute for chocolate chip cookies?

For chocolate chip cookies, use Earth Balance baking sticks or Miyoko's Creamery. Keep them cold and cream with sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. This creates the perfect texture and spread.

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

Yes, solid coconut oil works well as a vegan butter substitute in cookies. Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor and keep it cold. Cream with sugar just like butter for best results.

Why do my vegan cookies spread too much?

Cookie spread is often caused by using melted vegan butter or butter that's too warm. Use cold, solid vegan butter and cream it properly with sugar. Also, make sure your oven temperature is correct.

What's the best vegan butter for sugar cookies?

For sugar cookies, use Earth Balance baking sticks or Miyoko's Creamery. Keep the butter cold and work quickly when rolling out the dough to maintain proper texture and prevent spreading.

Can I substitute vegan butter for butter in oatmeal cookies?

Yes, vegan butter works well in oatmeal cookies. You can use solid vegan butter creamed with sugar, or melted vegan butter/coconut oil for chewier texture. Both methods work well depending on your preference.

What's the difference between using solid vs melted vegan butter in cookies?

Solid vegan butter creamed with sugar creates lighter, more traditional cookie texture. Melted vegan butter creates denser, chewier cookies. Choose based on your desired cookie texture.

Can I use vegan butter in shortbread cookies?

Yes, vegan butter works excellently in shortbread cookies. Use high-quality vegan butter like Miyoko's Creamery for best flavor, or Earth Balance baking sticks for consistent results. The butter flavor is crucial in shortbread.

Why are my vegan cookies too dry?

Dry cookies can be caused by using too much flour, overbaking, or using a vegan butter with too much water content. Use a high-quality vegan butter like Earth Balance baking sticks and don't overmix the dough.

Summary

Find the best vegan butter substitutes for making perfect cookies. Learn about Earth Balance, Miyoko's, and coconut oil options with proper techniques for chocolate chip, sugar, and other cookie recipes.