What Can I Substitute for Butter When Making Frosting?
A correctly prepared frosting is light and creamy or rich and decadent enough to complement the treat it is topping. For those with strict diets though, frosting is a challenge. Butter is the main ingredient in most frosting and icing recipes, and substitution is tricky. There are a few butter alternatives available for those unable or unwilling to consume butter but still want butter-like texture and flavor in their frosting. Does this Spark an idea?
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Shortening
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Vegetable shortening is handy when you need to make a "true-white" cake frosting. When you use butter or margarine, you cannot attain the ultra-white color in a true-white frosting. The frosting or icing might have a slightly greasy texture if you use shortening, but it does not contain the dairy ingredients that butter has. Use one teaspoon of clear vanilla extract for each cup of vegetable shortening you add to the frosting. Vanilla or similar clear extracts lend a splash of flavor to your frosting in place of butter.
Margarine
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Margarine is a tried and true alternative to traditional butter for frosting and icing. Margarine contains a similar flavor to butter but does not contain other ingredients found in the cream-based ingredient. When you create a frosting with margarine, typically you will use half margarine and half shortening for the recipe. Keep the margarine soft, but not melted, to make an easy-to-spread frosting for cakes and cupcakes.
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Cream Cheese
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When you want to make a frosting with less salt than butter or margarine, substitute cream cheese. Cream cheese is soft like butter and contains cream like real butter, but does not contain the salt or dietary cholesterol found in butter. Four ounces of cream cheese will yield approximately the same amount of frosting as one cup of butter in a frosting recipe.
Yogurt
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For a "healthier" dessert topping, use plain Greek yogurt in substitution for butter. Greek yogurt is another cream-based alternative without the salt or cholesterol found in traditional butter. One cup of Greek yogurt is the equivalent of one cup of butter in frosting recipes. As you work with yogurt in your frosting or icing, it will be runnier than butter-based frosting. Remedy this by whipping the ingredients together and placing the prepared frosting in the fridge for 30 minutes. Re-whip the frosting and spread it on your cake.
Tofu
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For a completely vegan frosting, substitute tofu for butter. Tofu is an organic ingredient that contains no animal products or byproducts. One-half cup of tofu is equivalent to one cup of butter in frosting recipes. For a less-creamy frosting, decrease the ratio of tofu to one-third cup.
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