FAQs
The spongy texture and moist flavor that oil creates can be a boon to certain recipes. Not to mention oil is cheaper and easier to work with. Butter will always provide superior flavor and that melt-in-your-mouth texture. In many recipes, combining the two gives the best of both worlds.
What happens if you substitute butter for oil in baking? ›
Butter substitute for baking
Most cake mixes call for oil, but butter will bring in amazing flavor. To substitute butter for oil in baking just melt the butter, measure it, let it cool, and add it as you would the oil. Compared to oil, butter will create a cake with a firmer, cakeier texture.
What makes a cake more moist, oil or butter? ›
Replacing the water from the butter with oil means there's more fat left in the cakes to ensure tenderness. It also coats the flour uniformly, which keeps the layers from being tough even if the batter is overbeaten.
Is it better to use butter or oil for muffins? ›
Many muffin recipes use cooking oil instead of butter. Oil, being a liquid, distributes easily in the quick-mix batter and is readily absorbed into the baked muffin, producing a light non-greasy texture. Vegetable oil is ideal because its mild flavour doesn't compete with the main flavour of the muffin.
Is box cake better with oil or butter? ›
Use Butter Instead of Oil
My favorite swap and also the easiest: add melted butter instead of canola or vegetable oil, which most boxed cake mixes call for. Butter adds moisture and fat just like any oil, but it also has that unmistakable butter flavor that we all know and love.
Why cook with butter instead of oil? ›
"Butter adds flavour and creaminess to foods, richness to sauces and can help balance strong acidic foods like tomato sauces and lemon-heavy hollandaise," says Fiona. Butter can also be vital in baking, acting as a carrier for creaming sugar and adding pockets of air to give baked goods a lighter, fluffier crumb.
Can I use half butter and half oil in cake? ›
Can I Use Both Butter and Oil in Cake? Oh yes, you sure can. This recipe has a combination of butter and oil to give off that nice buttery taste while keeping it soft and moist at the same time. Cake using pure butter tends to be more dense and dry compared to adding oil into the batter.
What is the best oil to use in a cake? ›
Best Oils for Baking
Choosing vegetable oil is the best option for baking moist, delicious baked goods. Canola oil, the most common vegetable oil used in baking, doesn't add a strong flavor. It allows your cake's flavor will shine through while still achieving a moist texture.
What makes a cake dense vs fluffy? ›
If a recipe includes a lot of acid such as lemon juice and buttermilk and isn't lifted with enough baking powder, the cake will taste dense. In that case, you may need the addition of baking soda which will react with the acid and create a fluffier crumb.
Is it better to bake cookies with butter or oil? ›
Indeed, cookies made with butter are usually softer and more tender than those made with oils. And last but not least, butter in cookies helps achieve that perfect texture. That's because butter melts at a lower temperature than other fats, allowing cookies to spread evenly while baking.
In brownies, both butter and oil will offer a moist, tender texture, but only butter will give the dish the aeration needed for rising brownies well. If you use a cake brownie, butter is a better option because it helps rise the batter. For denser, fudge type brownies, oil is permissable.
Should I use vegetable oil or butter for cupcakes? ›
Sourced from a variety of plants, vegetable oils are sometimes called for in recipes that require a very moist sponge. Vegetable oils have a neutral flavour and work well in cupcakes, cakes, pancakes and cookies. As they are liquid fats, they are very easy to mix in and make for a very tender sponge, cookie or pancake.
Is it better to grease a baking pan with butter or oil? ›
Vegetable oil or shortening is your best bet at ensuring your baked goods don't stick to the pan; however, they do little to flavor your recipe. If you use butter, the key is to use it sparingly, preferably along with a nonstick pan.
What is healthier for baking vegetable oil or butter? ›
Both of these fats have health risks. Some guidelines for healthier cooking: Use olive or canola oil instead of butter or margarine. Choose soft margarine (tub or liquid) over harder stick forms.
Is it healthier to bake with butter or olive oil? ›
Why Bake With Olive Oil. Maybe you want to use olive oil in place of butter in a favorite recipe for health reasons, or maybe you're in a pinch, and olive oil is all you have on hand. While butter is well-suited for baking, there is no question that olive oil contains healthier fats and polyphenols that butter does not ...
