How to Replace Butter in Bread Recipes

Experiment with your fresh, homemade bread.

Butter is a common ingredient in bread recipes. But if you run short or are cutting back on butter use, there are substitutes that will add moisture, softness and flavor to your bread. Experiment with various ingredients and make a note of the amounts used and the results so you can replicate your successes.

Things You'll Need

• Cream cheese
• Applesauce
• Blue cheese salad dressing

Instructions

1. Use an equal amount of applesauce instead of butter. Unsweetened, natural applesauce is healthy and will add a nice flavor and scent to your bread.

2. Try a leftover salad dressing, such as blue cheese, in place of butter to make a softer, savory loaf of bread.

3. Add apricot kernel oil, sunflower oil or canola oil as a butter substitute.

4. Substitute an equal amount of cream cheese for the butter in the recipe. Expect the bread to be richer and softer. Sour cream is another option if you don't have cream cheese available.

Tips & Warnings

• Check you cabinets for more inspiration. If you are uncertain whether a milk-based or oil-based item will make a suitable substitute, test it in a basic one-loaf recipe.