• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Sweet Occasion

Learn. Bake. Enjoy.

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
      • All Categories
      • Brownies & Bars
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Custards, Parfaits & Pudding
      • Frostings & Fillings
      • Frozen
      • Pies, Tarts & Crisps
    • Pastry
  • Guides
    • Baking Techniques
    • Baking Tips
    • Ingredient Guides
  • About
  • Contact
Home » Guides » Ingredient Guides » Baking 101: Baking with Butter

Baking 101: Baking with Butter

December 3, 2018 By Maria Leave a Comment

Butter

Butter!  Who doesn’t love it?  Spread it on a piece of warm bread straight out of the oven…yum!  But what about butter in baking?  It is such an important ingredient that can be taken for granted.  Should it be room temperature or cold, salted or unsalted?  The answers to these questions can significantly alter the outcome of your baked goods.  So let’s look at some key points on baking with butter.

Salted vs. unsalted

Standing at the dairy aisle of the grocery store, you may wonder ‘Does it really matter whether you bake with salted or unsalted butter?’ Yes, it certainly does!  Baking is a science and consequently it matters how much of each ingredient goes into your recipe.  Most baking recipes call for salt and when you use a butter that already contains salt, you lose control of the quantity of salt that goes into your recipe.  It’s simple to suggest removing salt from your recipe and instead use salted butter.  But not all brands have the same amount of salt in their butter, so how do you really know how much is being added to your recipe?  By eliminating the unknown and consistently using unsalted butter in baking, the control of quantity of salt remains in your power and therefore you are better equipped with producing the ideal final flavor of your product.  Additionally, as salt is a preservative, it extends the shelf life of salted butter and can mask any undesirable flavors.  Using unsalted butter provides a much more cleaner and pure flavor.

European Butter

In addition to texture, butter certainly adds a lot of flavor to recipes.  So should you use European butter which has a higher fat content and therefore more flavor?  Well, that is a matter of preference.  However, I find that using European butter in everyday desserts such as cupcakes, brownies, and cookies, does not have such an astounding impact as there are many other flavors that go into these items, such as chocolate, vanilla, nuts, fruits, etc.  However, if you are willing to splurge on your butter, I would save it for items such as pie crust, puff pastry and croissants where the butter flavor is much more prevalent and pure.

Butter Temperature

When preparing to make a recipe, it is always key to note the temperature of your butter.  Is it suppose to be softened, melted, or cold?  These differences in temperature are determined by the needs of the recipe and if not followed properly, can severely affect the outcome of your baked goods.

Softened butter should be close to room temperature, malleable and able to hold its shape without looking oily.  It should be slightly firm to the touch, yet leave the impression of your finger when you press into it. At this temperature, the fat is able to easily cream together with the sugar to create batters and doughs that produce tender cakes and cookies.  The easiest and most effective way to soften your butter is to leave it at room temperature for 1 hour.  This will allow for even distribution of temperature (as opposed to microwaving which is quick but inconsistent).

Cold butter is necessary for flaky pie doughs or tender biscuits and scones.  When using cold butter, it does not fully incorporate into your dough and you are therefore left with small pieces of butter in your dough (this is ideal!).  As a result, the pieces melt in the oven and release steam that create pockets of air and in turn result in a flaky, buttery crust or biscuit.  Removing butter straight for the refrigerator immediately before using is ideal to keep your butter cold.  If while working with your dough warms your butter too much, it is always best to pop your mixture into the refrigerator to cool your butter back down and not compromise your end result.

Melted butter is not as commonly found in recipes, but you will see it from time to time such as in pancake or brownie recipes.  In these instances, the butter is adding primarily flavor and moistness to your end product and will also add a more soft texture.  After melting your butter be sure to allow it to cool to room temperature before incorporating into your mixture.

Butter Substitutions

Often we are looking for ways to make a recipe more healthy such as swapping coconut oil for butter or just have a preference to certain ingredients.  However, as mentioned earlier, baking is a science, and therefore quality and quantity of ingredients are key to the success of your recipe.  If a recipe calls for butter, I would advise against swapping an alternative fat within the recipe as it will compromise the texture of your baked good (each fat has a different water content and/or different melting point).  Instead, if you are looking for a more healthy alternative  or substitution I would suggest seeking out a recipe that has been tested with these alternatives.

Filed Under: Ingredient Guides

Previous Post: « Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies
Next Post: Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Meet Maria!

Professionally trained pastry chef at your fingertips. I provide the baking knowledge and tools for bakers like you to successfully create in your kitchen. Read More…

What's holiday baking without some delicious fruit What's holiday baking without some delicious fruit desserts?  I was excited to make this simple tart using @starrrachgrowers apples, basic pastry dough, and a sprinkling of sugar and butter.  These @juici_apple apples give a beautiful hue of red and have the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavor.  What's your favorite holiday apple recipe?  #EatBakeLove⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#StarrRanchGrowers #JUICIOfficial #thesweetoccasion #apples #applebaking #appletart #holidaybaking #tart #bakingfromscratch #bakinglove #bakersofinstagram #bakingblog #piedough
New Peppermint Cake up on the blog! This three-la New Peppermint Cake up on the blog!  This three-layer white cake is flavored with peppermint and frosted with a white chocolate peppermint swiss meringue buttercream.  Add crushed candy canes for an extra fun holiday cake!  Recipe link in bio!⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip: To check for cake doneness, use the bounce-back test.  Gently press down on the cake.  If an indentation is left in the cake, then it needs more time.  If it bounces back, then it's fully baked.  You will also notice that the sides of the cake begin to pull away from the pan.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#peppermint #cake #whitechocolate #thesweetoccasion #cakesofinstagram #christmascake #layercake #cakelover #bakegram #madefromscratch #holidaybaking #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #christmascakes #holidaycake #bakingblog #bakingtips #swissmeringuebuttercream #christmasdessert #christmascakedecorating⁠
Coffee Cupcakes are definitely for the coffee love Coffee Cupcakes are definitely for the coffee lover.  Made with a delicious coffee-flavored batter that’s baked to perfection and topped with a light and airy coffee buttercream.  They’re easy-to-make using staple pantry ingredients with the exception of espresso powder that is easily found at your local supermarket.  Recipe link in bio.⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  Use a cookie scoop to easily fill your cupcake liners.  Only fill 2/3 full to prevent the cupcakes from spilling or sinking.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#coffeelover #cupcakes #thesweetoccasion #delalloeats #coffeedaily #cupcakesofinstagram #coffeecupcakes #buttercream #coffeebuttercream #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #sweets #bakingtips #cupcakestagram #bakersofinstagram #cupcakesdaily #cupcakesfordays #bakingfromscratch #bakinglove
Almond cream is such a versatile recipe that's per Almond cream is such a versatile recipe that's perfect for holiday baking.  It can be used for filling pastries like croissants, topping sliced brioche and baking until golden brown, or filling an unbaked tart shell, adding fruit, and baking until set.  Almond cream will become your best friend when creating impressive desserts for your family and friends.  Recipe link in bio!⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  If you'd like to make this cream with another nut flour, substitute half of the almond flour with your choice of nut flour.  You will still benefit from using almond flour while also using a stronger flavored nut.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#frangipane #almondcream #almond #filling #thesweetoccasion #holidaybaking #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #bakersofinstagram #bakingblog #bakingtips #frenchpastry #frenchdesserts #pastrychef #tartfilling
⁠Looking for an easy recipe this holiday season? ⁠Looking for an easy recipe this holiday season?  Try this creamy Coconut Cheesecake made with @naturesgreatestfoods organic coconut cream.  It's a decadent and delicious dessert made with a coconut graham cracker crust.  For extra flavor and texture, top this cheesecake with toasted coconut.  Recipe link in bio.⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  Do not overmix your filling, as overmixing can cause your cheesecake to crack.  Only mix until all the ingredients are just combined.  Use the paddle attachment to mix your ingredients on medium-low speed to avoid beating too much air into your filling.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#coconut #coconutcheesecake #thesweetoccasion #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #lifeofabaker #coconutcream #cheesecakes #coconutcake #toastedcoconut #grahamcracker #grahamcrackercrust #sweets #foodgram #bakegram #bakersofinstagram #cheesecakelove #cheesecakelovers⁠
The holidays are a time for lots of baking. Add c The holidays are a time for lots of baking.  Add carrot bundt cake to your list.  It's filled with a layer of cream cheese and topped with a cream cheese frosting for a delicious spiced cake that's a real crowd-pleaser.⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  Do not use store-bought shredded carrots, as it will affect your cake's moisture content.  They are very dry and lack sweetness compared to shredding your own carrots. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#carrotcake #creamcheesefrosting #bakedfromscratch #lifeofabaker #bakefeed #instayummy #delish #thebakefeed #holidaybaking #holidaycake #thesweetoccasion #fromscratch #easyrecipe #bakingblog #bakersofinstagram #bakingtips #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #scratchbaking #bakingblog #carrotbundtcake
⁠Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are a holiday favori ⁠Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are a holiday favorite.  They’re made with molasses and filled with a brown sugar spiced filling for a gooey and delicious winter-inspired roll.  As if these soft and fluffy rolls aren't enough, they're topped with a brown sugar cream cheese frosting for a real treat.⁠ Recipe link in bio.⁠
⁠
⁠✨Pastry pro tip:⁠ To reheat cinnamon rolls in the microwave, place a microwave-safe cup containing water in the microwave and heat thoroughly.  Add the cinnamon rolls next to the water and heat.  The steam from the hot water will prevent the rolls from becoming too dry or too soggy.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#gingerbread #cinnamonrolls #holidaybaking ##breakfastideas #thesweetoccasion #learntobake #bakingblog #learnbakeenjoy #bakingtips #scratchbaking #bakinggoals #christmasbreakfast #holidaybreakfast #creamcheesefrosting #bakefeed #foodgram #thefeedfeed #bakegram #bakersofinstagram #lifeofabaker #scratchbaking #ilovebaking #sweets #bakinglove⁠
Holiday baking can get overwhelming. To help ⁠e Holiday baking can get overwhelming.  To help ⁠ease the stress, head on over to the blog for my tips on how to freeze cookie dough.  It's convenient to do, perfect for gifting, and allows you to get ahead for all your cookie baking.⁠ Grab these tips from the link in my profile.⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  For cookies that call for rolling in sugar, such as snickerdoodle cookies, prepare the dough as directed without rolling in the sugar and add it just before baking.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#cookiedough #cookiesofinstagram #thesweetoccasion #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #bakingtips #bakingtechniques #bakinglove #madefromstratch #giftgiving #cookiegifts #bakingfromscratch #bakingcookies #freezingcookies #housewarmingcookies
⁠Dessert or breakfast? Coconut rice pudding can ⁠Dessert or breakfast?  Coconut rice pudding can certainly be either.  It's a simple-one pot pudding that is creamy and perfectly tender without being mushy.  Add a bit of granola and you have a simple yet flavorful breakfast ready in no time.⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  When making this coconut rice pudding, do not rinse the rice.  The starchiness is key to creating a creamy and thick mixture.⁠
⁠
Recipe link in bio!⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#coconutrice #ricepudding #thesweetoccasion #learntobake #bakingblog #bakersofinstagram #bakedfromscratch #learnbakeenjoy #bakingtips #pudding #instapudding #lifeofabaker #foodgram #bakegram #onepot #lovetobake #onepot
Follow on Instagram

Categories

Latest Posts

  • Brown Butter Toffee Cookies
  • Peppermint Cake
  • Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
  • Zucchini Puff Pastry Tarts
  • Birthday Cake Cookies

Archives

Footer

Follow Me

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Meet Maria!

Professionally trained pastry chef, wife, and a mom to two. Sharing my recipes, tips & techniques so that any occasion can be a sweet occasion. Read More…

  • Privacy Policy

The Latest Recipes!

Stack of brown butter cookies with toffee bits on a French wire cooling rack with milk in the backgroud.
Peppermint flavored cake with white chocolate peppermint swiss meringue buttercream on a marble round board.
Pan with frosted gingerbread flavored cinnamon rolls in a baking pan with some cinnamon rolls.

Copyright © 2022 · thesweetoccasion.com