Is it okay to use margarine instead of butter in baking?

When can I use margarine instead of butter? … In baking, melted margarine could work in recipes that call for melted butter, but in recipes that call for softened butter, swapping in tub margarine may change the texture; for example, cakes will be less tender, and cookies will generally spread out more and be less crisp.

Which is better for baking butter or margarine?

But when you’re baking, butter triumphs over margarine every time. For cakes, cookies, and pastries, butter (unsalted, that is) provides richer flavor. … Margarine, which can contain more water and less fat, may make thin cookies that spread out while baking (and may burn). Butter is also the better choice for frying.

Do you use the same amount of margarine as butter?

The easiest, most fool-proof way to ensure your baked goods will turn out the most similar is using butter. For 1 cup margarine, substitute 1 cup butter or 1 cup shortening plus ¼ teaspoon salt.

Can you use soft margarine for baking?

Margarine is an unsaturated butter substitute made with at least 80 percent fat by weight and flavoring from dairy products. … Soft spread margarine in tubs is not recommended for baking because it has more water and less fat.

What is the best butter to use for baking?

For baking purposes, the Test Kitchen recommends using unsalted butter so you can better control the amount of salt that goes into the recipe. Salted butter is best for serving at the table with bread or to flavor a dish, like mashed potatoes.

How much margarine is equal to a stick of butter?

A regular stick can be cut into 8 equal portions, each of which is equivalent to a tablespoon of margarine – or butter. For recipes demanding larger amounts, you will need two sticks to get one whole cup of margarine. For every ounce of this fat source, you will need a quarter of the stick.

Is margarine worse than butter?

Butter contains a lot of artery-clogging saturated fat, and margarine contains an unhealthy combination of saturated and trans fats, so the healthiest choice is to skip both of them and use liquid oils, such as olive, canola and safflower oil, instead.

Can you replace butter with margarine in brownies?

Margarine can be used in the equal amount of butter a recipe calls for. Margarine actually helps cookies keep their shape slightly better than butter, so if the shape of your cookies is really important to you, consider this butter substitute.

Can I use spread instead of butter for baking?

The baking spread is a substitute for butter. It is not butter, but rather, a butter-like spread made of bovine fat and other ingredients. … Palm oil is the most common ingredient for making margarine. Margarine’s water content is also less than 20%, making margarine a good choice for baking and similar projects.

Is spreadable butter OK for baking?

What we’ve also discovered is that a little oil in the butter is good for the cake and keeping it moist. These so-called spreadable butters do, however, vary and we have found Lurpak is the best because it has the highest butter content, and because it has the least additives it is the purest.

What can I use instead of butter in baking?

In general, the following foods work best as butter replacements in cakes, muffins, cookies, brownies, and quick breads:

• Applesauce. Applesauce significantly reduces the calorie and fat content of baked goods. …
• Avocados. …
• Mashed bananas. …
• Greek yogurt. …
• Nut butters. …
• Pumpkin purée.