Imitation butter flavor is made from real butter. As the name suggests, it imitates the flavor of butter.
Most people prefer this specific type of butter instead of the common one found in every store because it adds a rich flavor to dishes without adding extra calories.
Imitation butter flavor is commonly used in baking recipes. Since it is made from butter, it is also a dairy product. Therefore, it is not ideal for use in vegan recipes.
The notable difference between this type of butter and the normal one is that the former is lactose-free. Therefore, if you are lactose intolerant, you can use it as an alternative to butter.
The truth is that it can be a little bit difficult to find. Therefore, if you don’t have it in stock, you may have to use a substitute in its place. Luckily, there are several substitutes you can use in your recipes.
Vanilla extract, real butter, almond extract, extra virgin olive oil, Greek yogurt, canola oil, applesauce, and extra virgin coconut oil are suitable substitutes for imitation butter flavor.
In this article, we will discuss all the substitutes in detail. Before that, let’s discuss the important details so that you know how to best substitute them.
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How Do I use the Natural Butter Type Extract
This type of butter has several uses. It is added to various dishes to enhance their flavor.
You can use it in cake batter sugar recipes, especially those with a crispy outside and soft inside. Add it to your other ingredients for the best cake you’ve ever had.
You can also use it as a replacement for butter in recipes that call for butter. Use butter extract the same way you use butter.
Add it to the other ingredients in a mixing bowl to make the cake or cookie batter. Their flavors are similar, and they both add richness to dishes.
Add it to waffles and pancakes to enhance their flavor. You can also use it to flavor various desserts, including fudge, candy, ice cream, dips, and sauces.
Is Imitation Butter Flavor Dairy-Free?
Well, first its important that you understand that this product is not dairy-free. It is made from butter, which is a milk by-product. Therefore, it contains a certain percentage of dairy.
Manufacturers make it by extracting part of butter using a solvent like water or ethanol. It has a natural butter flavor and is sold in liquid form.
Like butter, it adds a rich butter flavor to the dishes it is added to. However, the richness added isn’t as much as the one butter adds to dishes.
Where to buy
Thanks to online shopping, you can easily get it from most online stores. Also, if you are lucky, you can find it at your local grocery store.
You can also try buying it from reputable online vendors. I have come across a few who stock it.
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The Substitutes
Here are a few substitutes that will come in handy in sweet and savory dishes.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract is arguably the best substitute. Although manufacturers make it by soaking vanilla beans in a mixture of alcohol and water, its flavor is very similar to that of this particular butter. They are so similar that people often mistake one for the other.
If you don’t have one in your pantry, you can use vanilla extract in its place. Use it to make sweet treats, including cakes, puddings, and custards.
Compared to imitation butter flavor, vanilla extract is more intense. Therefore, you should reduce the quantity you use in your recipes. If you don’t, it will overpower your dish.
Real Butter
Real butter is an ideal substitute for those who aren’t lactose intolerant. It adds a butter flavor to your recipes. It also has a distinctly creamy, rich taste.
There are two main varieties of butter available in the market; salted and unsalted butter.
If you are using butter as a substitute, I recommend using unsalted butter. This way, you can easily control the amount of salt in your dish.
Since butter is not in liquid form, it can alter the texture of your dish. To counter this, slightly increase the liquid in your recipe.
Almond extract
Almond extract has a mild, delicate, nutty flavor. Like the original product, it enriches the flavor of various ingredients, including chocolate, cherry, and chocolate.
You can use the almond extract in most of your baking recipes.
Additionally, you can use it to make your cake toppings and fillings sweeter. You can also add almond extract to your salad dressings.
Extra virgin olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil is also ideal because it has a fat content and adds an amazingly rich flavor to sweet dishes. I highly recommend using it when making cornmeal cakes, brownies, and pies.
Compared to the former, extra virgin olive oil has a richer flavor. Therefore, a little goes a long way. If your recipe calls for two teaspoons of imitation butter flavor, use one and a half teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil.
Extra virgin olive oil enriches the flavor of your sweets. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is also rich in minerals and vitamins.
Greek yogurt
You can use Greek yogurt in recipes that call for the product. It has a distinct creamy flavor, and you can use it in both sweet and savory dishes.
I like using Greek yogurt when making sweet treats because it contains casein that helps them retain moisture.
Other than adding a rich, creamy taste to dishes, Greek yogurt also has numerous health benefits. Plain Greek yogurt does not contain any fat or sugar. It also has probiotics and protein, which improve the immune and digestive systems.
Substitute with Greek yogurt in equal amounts.
Canola oil
Canola oil is an ideal alternative in baking recipes.
Although its flavor is not the same as that of the product, it has a neutral flavor that complements other ingredients other than overpowering them.
Compared to other vegetable oils, canola oil has a significantly lower fat content. Therefore, if you’re health-conscious, canola oil would make for a good choice.
Applesauce
Applesauce is a good substitute in baking recipes. It makes for a healthy alternative because it contains minerals and vitamins.
Use applesauce the same way in your recipes.
Extra virgin coconut oil
You can also use extra virgin oil as a perfect substitution. Coconut oil is a versatile ingredient that you can use in a variety of dishes. It is also very similar to imitation butter flavor.
You can substitute with extra virgin coconut oil in equal amounts. However, you should know that your dish may have a distinct coconut flavor.
Extra virgin coconut oil is made from fresh organic coconuts. Therefore, it is ideal for those on gluten-free, keto, or paleo diets.
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Conclusion
Imitation butter flavor is an amazing ingredient, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can use any of the substitutes we have discussed above.
My top three substitutes are vanilla extract, extra virgin olive oil, and Greek yogurt. The other substitutes also work well depending on the dish you are making.
You can experiment with all of them and settle for the one that suits you best. Let me know how your dishes turn out in the comments below.
