Cacao butter substitutes
Cacao butter substitutes — 3 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Coconut oil
Same amount as the cacao butter
Similar fat with different flavor.
The best substitutes for cacao butter are coconut oil, cocoa butter, or shea butter, depending on the use.
- Verdict —
- Tweak it
- What changes —
- different taste, similar texture
- Best for —
- baking
Updated 26 Jul 2026 · no sponsored swaps
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of cacao butter | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coconut oilbaking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 2 | Cocoa butterbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Shea butterskincare | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
Coconut oil
different taste, similar texture
Similar fat with different flavor.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, chocolate making, skincare
Different flavor, similar texture - more coconut.
Cocoa butter
similar taste and texture
Similar fat with different processing.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, chocolate making, skincare
Different processing, similar texture - more processed.
Shea butter
different taste, similar texture
Similar fat with different source.
- Best for
- skincare, cosmetics, baking, cooking
Different source, similar texture - more nutty.
Questions
3 questionsCan I use coconut oil instead of cacao butter?
Yes, coconut oil is a good substitute for cacao butter, but it has a different flavor and is more coconutty.
What's the difference between cacao butter and cocoa butter?
Cacao butter is less processed and has a more natural flavor, while cocoa butter is more processed and has a different texture.
Can I use cacao butter in baking?
Yes, cacao butter can be used in baking, especially in chocolate recipes and raw desserts.
Tips for substituting cacao butter
4 tips- Cacao butter is pure fat with a mild chocolate flavor
- It's commonly used in chocolate making and baking
- Cacao butter melts at body temperature
- It pairs well with chocolate, vanilla, and nuts