Butter extract is used in a lot of different recipes, so when you are making something that calls for it and you don’t have any, it can be quite stressful working out what to do.
Luckily, you have come to the right place! There are plenty of wonderful things you can use as a substitute for butter extract, and we have narrowed that list down to 6 of the very best.
If you are looking for the perfect butter extract substitute, then read on to find out more about them!
What Is Butter Extract?
Butter extract is a kind of concentrated form of butter flavor. It is usually used in baking and other related kinds of recipes.
Butter extract is made by extracting the flavor compounds of butter and it is used to add flavor and richness to other recipes.
When you use butter extract in your dishes, it will really enhance the flavor and make all of your baked goods taste so much better!
It is a fantastic ingredient to keep in your kitchen, especially if you are making lots of sweet treats such as cookies, cakes, and frostings.
You can get butter extract in both liquid and powdered form and it is usually sold in small jars or bottles.
6 Brilliant Substitutes For Butter Extract
It can be quite stressful when you need butter extract for a recipe and you don’t have any, but there are so many fantastic substitutes you can use in its place!
Each of the substitutes we have included on this list has something unique to add to your recipes and they are quite easy to get a hold of.
The substitutes included in this list are Almond Extract, Dairy Butter, Olive Oil, Vegan Nut Butter, Applesauce, and Vanilla Extract, so read on to find out a bit more about each of them!
1. Almond Extract
First, on our list, we have almond extract. This substitute is used most frequently in baked goods and desserts, which is why it’s such a brilliant substitute for butter extract.
Almond extract is made by mixing bitter almonds with ethyl alcohol. It doesn’t really taste like almonds, but it does have a very distinct smell and it works fantastically in baked goods recipes.
It’s such a good substitute for butter extract because it is so incredibly versatile. You can use it in so many different toppings and fillings and it pairs especially well with fruits such as cherries, peaches, and apricots.
If you do choose to use almond extract in the place of butter extract, make sure that you use it sparingly and in small amounts because if you use too much, the intense flavor can overpower the dish.
2. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a fantastic alternative to butter extract because it is actually quite a bit healthier and it is full of healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.
It has a very rich and distinctive flavor that will elevate whatever dish you are making and just make it taste even better. It’s really easy to substitute olive oil for butter extract, and if you aren’t as confident in the kitchen, this is arguably the best alternative to start with.
All you need to do is measure out the exact same amount of olive oil as you would butter extract and add it to your dish.
Olive oil is incredibly versatile and it’s usually already in your kitchen, and even if it’s not, it’s super easy to get hold of when you need it.
It’s a lot healthier than most other butter and extracts, and you won’t find many other substitutes that are as healthy as this one.
If you are unsure of which substitute to use and you don’t really want to leave it to chance and experiment, this is a fantastic and safe option.
3. Vegan Nut Butter
Vegan Nut Butter is a fantastic alternative to butter extract, especially for those who follow a vegan diet. It is also a lot healthier than butter extract, which is great if you are trying to watch your diet.
Nut butter is made by grinding up nuts into a thick and creamy nut paste. It’s quite similar in consistency to regular dairy butter, but it has a slightly nutty taste. You can use it as a spread for toast, but it also works amazingly well as an ingredient in baked goods.
Nut butter is a fantastic source of healthy fats and proteins, which is especially good if you are on a vegan diet and struggling to find good sources of protein.
You can buy nut butter at the grocery store, but it is incredibly easy to make it yourself at home. All you need to do is take the nuts of your choice and blend them up until you reach your desired consistency.
Homemade nut butter is a lot tastier and fresher than store-bought too!
4. Applesauce
Applesauce is incredibly versatile and works really well as a substitute for butter extract. You can use it in both sweet and savory baked goods and it’s easy to get hold of.
It’s quite thick in texture and it has a sweet but tart taste that makes it a bit more unique than some of the other substitute options on this list.
Lots of people enjoy eating applesauce as a snack by itself, but if you do a lot of baking, you should definitely consider incorporating it into your baked goods.
If you are going to use applesauce in the place of butter extract, it is important to know that it will add moisture to your recipe, so just be mindful of that and add it gradually rather than all in one go.
Applesauce is quite healthy as well, which is great if you are watching your diet or just want to add something healthy to your recipe. Next time you need butter extract but you don’t have any, give applesauce a try!
5. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is a common ingredient that is used in baking, and it’s a wonderful substitute for butter extract. It is rich and sweet in flavor, and it is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol.
You can use vanilla extract in place of butter extract in many different recipes, but it works especially well in baked goods, some of which include cakes and cookies. You can also use vanilla extract in savory dishes too because it tends to enhance the flavor.
When using it in the place of butter extract, simply add the same amount of vanilla extract as you would butter extract.
6. Dairy Butter
When all else fails, standard dairy butter is a fantastic alternative for butter extract. It is rich and creamy in texture, but it is a lot thicker than butter extract, so just be mindful of this when you do decide to use it.
Another thing to keep in mind is that butter extract is alcohol-based, whereas standard butter isn’t, so it may not be suitable for all recipes, and you may want to check before you use it.
If you do decide to go ahead and use butter, make sure you only use half of the amount that you would butter extract, and add more sparingly if you need to.
Conclusion
Butter extract is a fantastic ingredient, but there will be times when you don’t have access to it. When that happens, each of the other options on this list works fantastically well in its place and they are easy to get hold of from the grocery store.
Next time you make a recipe that calls for butter extract, try one of these other brilliant substitutions!
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
