How to Replace Butter with Flax Germ

Coarsely ground flax seeds need additional grinding to use in recipes.

Vegans -- those who eschew all animal products -- and other health-minded people who are looking to reduce their saturated fat intake need to find replacements for real butter in recipes. Flax seeds contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats, making flax germ a more healthful option to butter. For these fats to be absorbed by the body, the flax is coarsely ground to the texture of wheat germ. To be used as a butter replacement in baking, the germ is finely ground. Flax germ makes the finished food a source of more healthful fats.

Things You'll Need

• Spice grinder

Instructions

1. Place the flax germ into a spice grinder, and grind to a fine powder. Flax germ refers to flax seeds coarsely ground to the consistency of wheat germ. Grinding them further gives them the necessary consistency for replacing butter in recipes.

2. Replace each tablespoon of butter in the recipe with 3 tbsp. of flax powder.

3. Reduce the flour in the recipe by 3 tbsp. for every 3 tbsp. of flax powder used.

4. Add the ground flax to the recipe with the flour.

5. Reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees for baking, as the flax will cause the food to brown more quickly.

Tips & Warnings

• Use whole flax seeds instead of flax germ, and grind them to a fine powder with a spice grinder.

• Since butter is not a liquid, and the flour in the recipe is reduced, the recipe should not require additional moisture when using the high-fat flax powder butter replacement; however, if the mixed batter or dough is too dry or stiff, mix 1 to 2 tbsp. of water into the mixture.

• Look for whole flax seeds or ground flax seeds at health food stores or on the Internet.

References

• "Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance: How to Create Simple, Elegant, and Inexpensive Meals"; Angela Breidenbach; 2010
• "The Flax Cookbook: Recipes and Strategies for Getting the Most from the Most Powerful Plant on the Planet"; Elaine Magee; 2002
• "Ann Louise Gittleman's Eat Fat, Lose Weight Cookbook"; Ann Louise Gittleman, et al.; 2001