Did you know peanut butter is a great substitute for butter when baking?
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
United States
February 5, 2012 3:23pm CST
If you're baking cookies and cakes and are fearful about the amount of butter used in the recipe now there is a solution.
A simple substitute to keep the cholesterol levels down and still enjoy a great dessert.
Just replace the butter portion with peanut butter. You can also split the amount to half butter and half peanut butter.
The confection will take on a light peanut flavor that is sure to please.
Try this also the next time you plan on making fudge or brownies.
Imagine enjoying a chocolate cake that reminds you of Reese's peanut butter cups just by this little substitution.
Using creamy peanut butter is best!
Happy Baking!
2 people like this
9 responses
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
5 Feb 12
wow I never realized that, I do have an allergy to peanuts, but it is not deadly and i still cheat and have some when my will power isn't doing that great. i will try it the next time i use butter, though in my cookies and cake/bread. i have two recipes i make often and this will be my next venture with one of them to see how it turns out. thank you for the helpful tip and happy baking to you! now i'm hungry, i want peanut butter brownies, yummm...
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
• United States
5 Feb 12
Be careful with your allergy and don't over do it since it isn't serious. Moderation is always the name of the game for just about everything.
Enjoy your peanut butter brownies!
1 person likes this
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
• United States
6 Feb 12
That sounds like a great idea since you have an allergen to both. Staying away is the best way to not cause an attack to happen. If you share this trick with friends make sure you remind them that you are allergic so they don't make a dessert that will affect you when you come to visit.
There are lots of desserts and fruit dishes you can have - enjoy something different to satisfy your sweet tooth!
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
5 Feb 12
That sounds very interesting but you would have to be careful no one with peanut allergies didn't have any thinking it was safe to do so..but is a good tip..
1 person likes this
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
• United States
5 Feb 12
Opps! I left that part out, thanks!
Warning:
Nuts are an allergen to many - if you or someone is allergic to peanuts this substitution should not be tried.
If you can eat peanuts always tell friends and family members that peanuts are in the confection before offering them a piece just to be on the safe side.
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
6 Feb 12
This is a great hint, I would only caution that you need to use natural peanut butter. So many popular brands have things like sugar in them.
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Natural peanut butter is great but at the same time people need to watch when they make the addition. Natural peanut butter separates in the jar. It has to be mixed thoroughly to ensure the peanut oils are mixed back into the creamy peanut butter so that the consistency is right. If it is not mixed well the cake or cookies can turn out oily. The cookies may not set properly and be too mushy to lift off the tray with a spatula. It takes a few extra minutes before you measure out the amount but it is worth it for a really great peanut flavor in your baked goods.
Thanks for another great tip!
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
6 Feb 12
That sounds yummy! I have heard of using apple sauce in the place of oil/butter for cakes and cookies. I have tried this and it works out well. I will really have to use the peanut butter the next time I make a chocolate cake. Thanks for the tip!
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Yes applesauce is a great substitute for oil as well as butter. It gives the cakes and cookies a moister texture and also tastes wonderful. Cuts back on the calories too and we all like that.
Glad to help with the tip!
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
• United States
6 Feb 12
In the first comment the warning went out about allergies to peanuts or nuts. When I first posted I had an interruption and left it out. But when I responded to the first comment I made sure to add it in because it is important to those with allergies.
Thanks for mentioning it again...always be on the side of caution...it is a good thing!
@blindeagle (4)
• United Arab Emirates
6 Feb 12
Thats great substitute and also it has many benefits like Protein, vitamins b3, E , magnesium, folate, dietary fiber, arginine etc ...
But yea as many of them said that the people who have allergy with peanut butter then they can use low cholesterol :) ..
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
• United States
6 Feb 12
There are lots of benefits from peanut butter if it is something that you can eat. Thanks for sharing some nutritional values with everyone.
Have a great day!
@missybear (11391)
• United States
6 Feb 12
I don't bake much, I'm more into cooking than baking but i do like to bake a cake ever now and then but it's out of the box usually.
I have to try some cookies though with your idea since I love peanut butter
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
• United States
6 Feb 12
It is a lot easier now a days with all the flavored cake mixes out there to not want to go to all the trouble of baking from scratch. Plus it is so much faster to whip up a cake this way.
Cookies do take a little prep time and will taste great if you are a peanut butter lover.
Enjoy you baking and cookies too!
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
18 Feb 12
Awesome idea! I never would have thought of that, Cooking. I sure do love peanut butter. I love it on toast.. how it melts on warm toast. The next time I'm baking and I don't have enough butter I certainly will use this method. Thank you!
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
10 Feb 12
thanks for this suggestion. I love peanut butter and it must be great to use as a butter substitute in chocolate cake.
I tried to make peanut butter cookies once they were best when still warm but as I am diabetic I need a version where I could use full grain flour and powdered sugar substitute.
