Whether for dietary, ethical reasons, or simply because you’ve run out of butter, there are many alternatives to successfully bake your cakes. Discover our tested and approved solutions to replace butter while maintaining softness and flavour.
Table of Contents:
Classic plant-based alternatives
Apple compote
- Ratio: 90g of compote for 100g of butter
- Advantages:
- Significantly reduces calories
- Provides natural softness
- Perfect for fruit-based cakes
- Tip: Choose unsweetened compote to better control the sugar content in your recipe
Vegetable oil
- Ratio: 80ml of oil for 100g of butter
- Best options:
- Coconut oil: perfect for its texture that solidifies
- Olive oil: ideal for Mediterranean cakes
- Rapeseed oil: neutral and rich in omega-3
- Avocado oil: subtle and nutritious
Surprising but effective alternatives
Nut butters
- Ratio: 100g for 100g of butter
- Recommended options:
- Almond butter: perfect for fruit cakes
- Cashew butter: ideal for a neutral taste
- Peanut butter: for lovers of strong flavours
Mashed avocado
- Ratio: 100g of ripe avocado for 100g of butter
- Key benefits:
- Creamy texture
- Healthy fats
- Naturally green colour that can be masked with cocoa
Special solutions for specific diets
For vegans
- High-quality plant-based margarine
- White bean puree (a surprising but effective option)
- Banana “butter” (mashed ripe bananas)
For fat-free diets
- 0% Greek yogurt
- Pumpkin puree
- Egg white + compote (winning combination)
Conversion table for 100g of butter
| Ingredient | Quantity | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Apple compote | 90g | Moist cakes |
| Vegetable oil | 80ml | All types of cakes |
| Almond butter | 100g | Fruit cakes |
| Avocado | 100g | Chocolate cakes |
| Greek yogurt | 125g | Light cakes |
| Mashed banana | 100g | Spiced cakes |
Tips for successful substitutions
- Adjust baking times
- Check your cake 5 minutes before the indicated time
- The knife test remains your best ally
- Adjust liquids
- With compote: slightly reduce other liquids
- With oil: keep the indicated proportions
- Consider flavours
- Some substitutes may alter the final taste
- Feel free to enhance the flavours (vanilla, citrus zest)
Tested and approved recipes
Butter-free chocolate cake
- 200g of apple compote
- 150g of flour
- 100g of cocoa
- 3 eggs
- 150g of sugar
- 1 packet of baking powder
Butter-free fruit cake
- 100ml of coconut oil
- 180g of flour
- 150g of dried fruits
- 3 eggs
- 120g of sugar
- 1 packet of baking powder
Conclusion
Replacing butter in a cake is no longer an impossible challenge. With these alternatives, you can create delicious desserts suited to all dietary needs. Feel free to experiment and find the solution that best fits your tastes and requirements.
