SaurabhButter extract is a concentrated butter flavor. You can easily find this item in the flavoring section of supermarkets. It is used to add a rich, buttery flavor to dishes, mainly in baking, when making cakes.
Although it is usually present in the baking section, you might not be able to get your hands on this extract, or you might not want to purchase it if you’re only using it for a single recipe. In that case, there are many substitutes that you can use instead.
Some of the best substitutes for butter extract include real butter, almond extract, vanilla extract, greek yogurt, and olive oil, among others.
Below is a list of suitable substitutes for butter extract.
Best Butter Extract Substitutes
This section contains a few substitutes for butter extract that make excellent replacements and will save your recipe, so let’s take a look.
1. Real butter
The best substitute for butter extract is real butter, as butter extract is meant to mimic the taste of actual butter.
Salted butter is best as it has more flavor. If you’re using butter extract to flavor cakes, cupcakes, or custard, just add some melted butter in instead!
Start out with about a quarter to a half a stick of melted butter and add more if necessary. Note that you should always add less so that you don’t alter the consistency of the dish, as you just want to add the butter flavor to the dish.
This can also help make cakes softer as well. If you’re looking to make your cake dairy-free, you can use coconut oil or vegan butter instead to yield the same results.
Keep in mind that coconut oil will add a slight coconut flavor to the end product.
2. Almond extract
If you’re looking to add flavor to your cakes and baked goods, the almond extract is also a great option. It’s easily available in supermarkets as well.
The almond extract will not give you that buttery taste. However, it will add flavor to your cakes that can’t be beaten. When substituting almond extract, you can utilize the same amount as butter extract and you will yield successful results.
3. Vanilla extract
If you’re a baker, you probably already have vanilla extract in your pantry, as it is a staple when flavoring baked goods and custards.
If a recipe calls for butter extract, you can easily substitute it for vanilla extract.
Although vanilla extract will not give you that buttery flavor, it will add a richness and sweetness that will be great when flavoring your cakes or custards.
You can also combine both butter and vanilla extract if you have both, to add more depth to your baked goods and give them a richer flavor.
4. Greek yogurt
This yogurt is a surprising substitute for butter extract. However, it works really well in place of the extract for both sweet and savory recipes.
Greek yogurt has a creamy, tangy flavor that can be used in place of butter extract, and it will add richness to your baked goods.
Greek yogurt is also frequently used in cakes and cupcakes to keep them moist. So, using greek yogurt as a substitute for butter extract will yield successful results.
When substituting, use the same amount of greek yogurt as butter extract, and add more if you feel you need it.
5. Olive oil
If you’re really in a pinch and need a substitute for butter extract, you can use olive oil.
Olive oil will add richness to your baked goods and a very subtle flavor, so this will not ruin your recipe at all. Butter would be a better substitute, but you can use olive oil as it is frequently used in baked goods.
It will not yield you the same flavor profile as butter extract but it will get the job done!
6. Canola oil
Canola oil is a great substitute for butter extract because even though it does not have a flavor, it is used frequently in baked goods for adding richness and moisture. Therefore, it can be used as a substitute for butter extract.
Note that this is not recommended for custards, as the canola oil will ruin the consistency of the custard. You can use canola oil in baked goods such as cakes and cupcakes. Start by adding about ¼ cup to every teaspoon of butter extract.
7. Almond butter
Almond butter can help to add richness and moisture to baked goods as well.
It is becoming increasingly popular in plant-based cooking, as it adds richness and moistness without needing dairy which is why is a good substitute for butter extract.
Almond butter will add a different flavor to your baked goods. However, it will still yield successful results and the almond butter will help keep your cakes and cupcakes moist.
Like canola and olive oil, however, almond butter does not work well in custards, as it will ruin their consistency.
8. Applesauce
Applesauce is another ingredient that has been frequently used in baking, mainly in place of eggs or butter to add richness and moistness to a cake.
It is a good substitute for butter extract, as well as a healthy one. It will help to add richness to your cakes, not to mention make them moister without needing the butter or the butter extract.
You might not get the same flavor but your cake will still turn out moist and taste great.
9. Clear Vanilla Extract
If you’re looking to create cakes reminiscent of the boxed cake mix you used to have as a child, then the best ingredient would be clear vanilla extract.
You can find clear vanilla extract online. It has a much sweeter, stronger flavor, making it perfect for any cakes you’re making.
Many people opt to use either butter extract or clear vanilla extract when making cakes because it adds a rich flavor and is reminiscent of boxed cake mixes, taking you back to your childhood.
If you need to replace butter extract in a recipe and you can find clear vanilla extract, it’s a great substitute!
Butter Extract To Butter Conversion
When using butter instead of butter extract, melt about half a stick of butter and add it to your dish. If you want a more pronounced flavor, you can add more, but add a little at a time so you don’t ruin the consistency.
Related Questions
What is in butter extract?
Butter extract is made by extracting the water and flavor from butter. So, it usually has butter, water and alcohol, and possibly other flavorings. Meaning, butter extract is not vegan-friendly. However, you can find vegan-friendly butter extract online.
How do you make butter flavor without butter?
If you’re looking for that rich, buttery flavor without using real butter, then butter extract is the best way to do this.
You can also add richness by adding greek yogurt, nut butter, almond extract, or vanilla extract to your baked goods to give them that rich, slightly buttery flavor.
Is there butter flavoring?
Yes! You can find butter extract in the baking aisle of your grocery store, and it can usually be found next to the flavorings.
If you cannot find butter extract, however, you can order it online or use any of the substitutes in the list above. It is a great flavoring to have to add that rich, buttery flavor to baked goods.
How to make butter extract?
To make butter extract, you will need vodka and butter.
Melt the butter and vodka together on low heat and let it infuse for a few hours or overnight, then strain the mixture in a cheesecloth and keep in a bottle or airtight container.
Now you have your own butter extract that you can store in the refrigerator.
What is butter extract used for?
Butter extract is a common ingredient in baking because it adds a rich, buttery flavor to different baked goods such as cakes, cupcakes, and custards.
